Kidnapping: Group warns against re-locating Election Tribunal back to Jalingo

The Taraba Progressive Movement has warned against plans to relocate the Taraba State Election Petition Tribunal back to Jalingo saying security situation in the state has worsen in the last three weeks.
The group in a statement signed by its Coordinator Muhammad Umar said resurgence of violence kidnapping for ransom in the state particularly Jalingo the state capital will threaten activities  and safety of the petition tribunal.

Umar said the security agencies in the state are already overwhelmed with daily cases of kidnapping in Jalingo, Takum and many other local governments alongside ethnic and communal crisis in Wukari and Lau local governments "We understand that the state government is already using the state apparatus to influence the decision of take back the election tribunal back to Jalingo, they believe having the tribunal in Jalingo will give them access to members of the tribunal and undue advantages in the process.
"In Jalingo for instance they are cases of daily violence kidnapping for ransom that security agencies in the state have not been able to tackle. Just on Tuesday kidnappers stuck again abducting two women and a businessman in Jalingo. Media reports in the last four weeks shows that more than a hundred people were kidnapped in the state.
"Our primarily concern is the safety of everyone who will be participating at the hearing process, from the judges to even the petitioners and the defendants witnesses.
"Is the PDP and state government deliberately want to put lives of the judges and other participants in danger in a bid to frustrate the petition hearing thus how can a state government who has failed in its responsibility to protect the ordinary citizens be assuring safety of the participants at the tribunal hearing." Umar wondered.
The group added that it's also surprising that the state governor and the PDP have been mopping up PVC in some Local governments in preparation for a re-run election in the state.
"They are telling their followers to prepare for a re-run election in about five local governments. It's worrisome that the PDP in Taraba state is confident that the tribunal will call for a re-run election in Taraba state even before the commencement of trial.
"The PDP in Taraba state are notoriously known for compromising institutions with bribes, we are calling on the Tribunal committee to shun any advances from the PDP and its candidates and stand on justice for posterity sake." Umar noted.