By Fred Hikon
Where is Darius Ishaku? A very critical question which by this time last year, was also on the lips of most Tarabans. Their governor who left the state in December of 2019 was away for most of the early days of the year 2020. Same circle is repeating as Gov. Darius Ishaku who left the state in December of last year has been AWOL since the beginning of this year. Indications are that he may yet be away for a long time again.
He chooses the end of a year and the beginning of another to disappear. A time when he should be celebrating with his people, getting their feedback on his policies and programs, having personal reflections and fashioning out strategies for better performance for the new year. I dare to say he is confused. Confusion as we know is like a body cream to a conman who is not smart enough.
I hear he travelled to Germany and Israel for treatment.
I am human, I get sick too. This is why I pray that God will show mercy to Darius Ishaku and heal him permanently. But it will amount to injustice not to be mindful of the fact that there are thousands of other Tarabans who are sick but do not have the wherewithal to travel outside Nigeria for treatment. Among them local government and primary schools’ teachers who have not been paid salaries for between 4-5 months of last year. While Darius Ishaku is being treated and flown abroad with government funds running into millions of naira, these unfortunate local government workers and primary school teachers are left to die, God forbid, should they fall critically ill.
To say that the state is chronically mismanaged and violated by Darius Ishaku is to be too modest. This Gen. T Y Danjuma protégé has simply come to finish off the state and its people for reasons that are purely selfish and pecuniary. It is sad. In some places, he gives the impression that he is settling the oga with part of the loots he has been carting away. I refuse to believe. Gen. T Y Danjuma is simply too big, principled and wealthy to stoop that low. But, then, what is the meaning of the silence by Gen. T Y Danjuma over the recurring failures, looting and inhuman misdeeds of Darius Ishaku?
A sad development is evolving in Southern Taraba from late last year to early this year. After collecting billions of naira from the Federal Government, Gov. Ishaku now wants the controversial RUGA settlement to be sited in his and Gen. Danjuma’s hometown of Takum.
Despite the shouts of opposition from his townsmen and women, not a single word has been heard from Gen. Danjuma. Therein remains the question begging for answer, is General Danjuma in cahoots with Governor Darius Ishaku?
The confusion that Gov. Ishaku brought upon himself because of incompetence and greed may be very difficult to resolve. But, it is not insurmountable. First, he needs help. Help from God and his fellow men and women. But I doubt if he will utilize this advice. He has gone too far away from God while seeking self help. He is too foolishly arrogant to take counsel from men and women who meant well for him and the state. He needs humility to be able to take this advice.
Secondly, he needs to also understand that time is running against him. He now has barely 2 years and 4 months to the end of his so far, drab and hollow two terms tenure. Not only time, but speed is of essence here. What ever he needs to do to redeem himself should be set afoot immediately.
As his fellow tribesman, I wish and pray for him that he will succeed. But that is the much I can do for him. The rest is in his hands. If he chooses to end up in the hall of worthless leaders, that again will be by his own choosing.
Happy New Year Governor Ishaku, wherever you may be reading me from.
