Gov. Ishaku Performed Poorly, Failed Woefully- Joel Ikenya

·         Gives Reasons for Changing Parties 

 A former minister for labour and productivity and governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Taraba state Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya, has said that Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku  has performed poorly and failed woefully in stearing the affairs of the state.

 

Speaking in an interview on Rock FM 92.3 Jalingo the former Senator representing Southern Taraba said he regretted supporting Governor Ishaku in 2015 and 2019 noting that the poor performance of Darius Dickson Ishaku's  administration was what prompted him to leave the People's Democratic party, PDP, so that he cannot associate himself with failure.

 

According to Senator Ikenya," we are always getting new people especially this governor that came from Kaduna. you know, he came from Kaduna and he does not know the people. Some of the commissioners, he does not even know their names. Some of the villages you call, he would not know. His performance is woeful and poor".

 

Speaking on the zoning arrangement in Taraba state, the former minister stressed that emphasis should be laid on credibility and somebody who has been tested and can deliver as a leader.

 

Senator Ikenya explained that his desire to serve Taraba state as an elected governor prompted him to defect to the Labour Party where he eventually clinched the ticket. He however, alleged intimidation and lack of transparency in APC and his former party (PDP) in the conduct of their primaries elections , as some of the reasons that propelled him to pitch his tent with the Labour Party.

 

He said of all the governorship candidates in Taraba state, his  track records and experience at the state and national level makes him the best choice for the number one seat in the state.

 

"I was a member state House of Assembly in 1992, after the military regime, I came back as a member again in 1999. In 2003, I was elected to represent Wukari, Ibbi Federal constituency. I was later elected into the Senate and once served as minister in our country.

 

" The projects are there, the empowerment of the people are there. I worked out for the employment of many people at the Federal level. So I believe I am most qualified to be the governor of Taraba state", he added.

 

On his emergence as the flag bearer of Labour Party, senator Ikenya explained that the former governorship candidate of the party, Evang  Philip Munlip voluntarily withdraw based on mutual understanding and not under duress as speculated by some people.

 

Shedding  light on the purported petition by Evang. Munlip to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, claiming that he was forced to withdraw, Ikenya  said, " if he was forced to write that letter, he couldn't have been forced to go to court here in Abuja and willingly did affidavit to solidify his decision.

 

"I look at him as somebody who is the man of God and my own worry is that, he is bringing his reputation to disrepute. Somebody who has been an Evangelist preaching to people, I don't think he should say one thing in the day and in the night, come and change it", he stressed.

 

Senator Ikenya expressed confidence that the strength of the Labour Party in the state is in the  quest for  youths, women and everyone who desires change in governance. Adding that Tarabans are tired of government manipulations without positive impact on the lives of the people.

 

Commenting on his plans for the state if elected as the governor in 2023, he said " I will eradicate injustice to give equal rights to everyone. I will create an environment that would enable us herness our natural resources and revitalise the agricultural sector, especially rice farming.

 

" In terms of security which is a national challenge, I support state police for effective policing and adequate security of lives and properties of the people at the grassroots", he added.

Read full interview in Our next Edition