The Dilemma Of A King Maker.By Joe Igba, Jalingo.

Coming from a heterogeneous community, Taraba State should count itself pretty lucky. The high point attained by Nigeria today in the committee of Nations is attributable to its ability to manage its diversity effectively. Nigeria today is grappling with the issues of unity because it has jettisoned the reality and respect for what has held us together since we agreed in 1914 to experiment the fusion and forced marriage between the southern and the Northern Protectorates to form the entity called Nigeria. Taraba could have explored and managed its diversity for better results to avert the present gradual drift to the state of irrelevance. The poor management of the diversity of the state has opened limitless windows for infiltration and cravings for dominance and taking over of territories by total enemies and Aliens who have no link with Ancestry. Apart from the abysmal failure on the part of the Jukuns to respect the existence and human value of other ethnic Nationalities, it has invariably taken the worst step of aggression against even other Jukun dialects and components that make up the Jukun race. Sometimes I am compelled to ask what could have become of the Ancient Kwararafa Kingdom if the current ethnic wrangling and vestiges of ethnic supremacy has dominated the ranks and file of the Jukun military buildup.
The once cherished unity and bond among ethnic nationalities may have now been torn into shreds by lack of respect to the state’s diversity and the principles of power rotation and power sharing which had held this country intact for several years now. Nigerians believe in the principles of power rotation and sharing and any attempt to jettison the process is a deliberate ploy to jeopardize our corporate existence as a people. The rest of the people are not finding it funny with the choice of Col. Kefas Agbu of PDP and Senator Emmanuel Bwacha of APC all of Jukun extraction as flag bearers of the two major political parties.
More disturbing is the Arrow head behind the Jukun project especially now that the people of the state are looking for alternatives after years of impoverishment and stagnation by a man who took over the mantle of leadership of the state on the mandate and endorsement of the same godfather. From the historical perspective of the state, Taraba has been governed by the principle of power rotation and sharing and the people believe that the Jukuns have no justification this time to stop the rotation when it is the turn of the Northern Senatorial zone to step into the shoes of governance after both the south and the central have ruled full time. The people seem to be dissatisfied and disenchanted with the General TY Danjuma and Jukun project whose dream for Taraba is to create a state where the jukuns take all and reign supreme against all decency and democratic principles. Many have wondered if General TY Danjuma’s dream is to continue to have a state where the Jukun Kutebs will be completely annihilated and be subdued to submission to accept the installation of a King in Takum other than their own. The majority of the people are not dreaming of a state that allows conspiracy to thrive against other indigenous ethnic nationalities aimed at deliberately robbing them of their ancestral land, cultures and God-given inheritances.
Perhaps the Gubernatorial Aspirant of the Social Democratic Party, Danladi Baido saw it all coming when he ventured to break away from the grip of the PDP in an attempt to change the narrative. Baido had remained a young, humble and consistent loyalist of the Darius administration who has been nursing the ambition to govern the state since the Rev Jolly Nyame days. However his ambition was scuttled by the then Obansanjo regime because he was considered too young to rule. After waiting up to the last minute for his principal to endorse his candidature in line with the power rotation principle with no appreciable response from his principal, Baido had to turn the political tide by seeking an alternative platform to sustain the zoning arrangement and to drive home his regional interest.
Surprisingly Danladi Baido is not the only personality who is worried by the sudden abuse and breach of the principles of power rotation. The North and the Central are the most hit and a significant portion of the south who believe in social justice and equity are also part of the group who would not want power to remain in the hands of the south this time after serving their agreed full term.
A close Associate of the gubernatorial Aspirant who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Global Times that ordinarily Baido wouldn’t have abandoned his Master Darius and the PDP because of his unquestionable loyalty for his principal but he has to break his loyalty for his regional interest without jeopardizing his relationship with the electorates that constitute his strength in politics.
“The insistence to retain power in the south is not only deceitful, malicious and a breach of trust but an action intended at creating crises in the state’s political chemistry. This is the turn of the North to present a governor and as people of conscience we are under obligation to support their candidate. We don’t expect anything different and it does not matter whichever party the North is fielding their candidate,” he said.
Over the years, the rot of lack of genuine democratic principles in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was one of the factors that brought about the crash of the Party at the 2011 general Elections in Nigeria.
Having led this country for 16 years, in spite of the unpleasant experiences from what led to the downfall of the Party and the emergence of the party, the All Progressive Congress APC, it seems the PDP is yet to learn some painful lessons from the mistakes of the past.
The party has not only lost one of its pillars in the State, Hon Danladi Baido Tijos, Member House of Representative from Ardo Kola Lau Karim-Lamido Federal Constituency to the Social Democratic Party but many more who are not comfortable with the political arrangement  are expected to exit the party as political activities unfold.
Senator Emmanuel Bwacha who has also cross- carpeted to the All Progressives Congress is also a product of the poor handling of interests within the party (PDP) in the state. Though it is not yet certain if the recent past chairman of the Party, Hon Victor Bala and former gubernatorial Aspirant under the PDP party platform has abandoned the party, he had earlier complained of the deliberate refusal and attempts by the current leaders of the party to create a level playing ground for all aspirants of the Party contesting for party nominations.
Hon Danladi Baido had among other things attributed his exit from his former party to perceived impunity and lack of Justice and fairness in the political affairs of the PDP in Taraba State.  To him, it is a rare opportunity to renew his earlier efforts in 2007 to become the number one citizen of Taraba State and to fulfill the mandate of his region and the people of the state. He does not see an unpopular party as a hindrance, believing that what gives a party spread and strength is the people’s preparedness to vote a candidate they so much believe in. He strongly believes that the status of the party can change within a twinkle of an eye depending on the convictions of the electorate.
“This is the time to change the narrative… I hope to run an all-inclusive government as no one has ever done. If I get the mandate, I will explore the services of professionals in their various fields with strict supervision to ensure results.
“I have passion for peace and development of Taraba. The peace of the state is none negotiable… I have a fascinating roadmap to peace that I hope to unveil later if God perfects His will. Peace will return to Taraba permanently, development will take place, by the end of two years many shall miss their way into the State when they visit the state in an interval of three months. I strongly appeal to the people of Taraba to work with me to reawaken the hope of the youths for a better future. Let’s all believe in the new Taraba project. It is our project,” he concluded his discourse.
If the handwritings on the wall are anything to go by, then, the widely acknowledged King Maker of our time may be losing his firm grip over Taraba State this time. The people’s desire and dream is to have a state where justice, equity, peace and respect for sanctity of life become the central focus of an incoming administration collectively sourced by the majority rather than an individual or a section working to achieve a narrow interest. It is up to the King Maker to respect the decision and verdict of the people or choose to go separate ways…