The Senatorial Candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party PRP in Taraba State,Iliyasu Gadu has taken a swipe at Gen TY Danjuma Retired over what the called the General’s overbearing ownership of the political affairs of the state.
In a statement he personally issued to Current matters Friday Gadu, a Writer and Oli and Gas Analyst said:
“The unfortunate notion that Taraba state is “owned” by Gen. TY Danjuma which ipso facto accords him the exclusive right to single handedly determine the state’s political fortunes is an anathema to democracy. It should not be allowed to continue to go unchallenged.
“It is the only state in the country where such abnormality exists. In Ogun state where Gen Obasanjo comes from, he cannot determine the political fortunes of the state. Ditto in Osun where Gen TY Danjuma’s course mate Gen Alani Akinrinade hails from. Same thing in Kogi and Benue of Gens Tunde Ogbeha and David Mark. And in Adamawa, Plateau and Kebbi where we have a phalanx of Generals from all services of the military, one hardly hears or reads of retired generals directly involving themselves in determining the political choises of the people of those states. In Niger state one can hardly see the IBBs triple As and so in directly interfering in the political affairs in the state. We only hear unsubstantiated rumours. In Rivers and Bayelsa you can’t hear of Admirals Diette Spiff, Porbeni and Diette-Spiff stooping so low.
“With due recognition and respect Gen Danjuma has achieved quite a lot in his lifetime and is deservedly considered an icon and statesman in Nigeria, nay Africa for this. And as a fellow Chamba man I take immense pride in his towering achievements.
“But all that notwithstanding, it is time to tell Basho TY to take a back seat to direct involvement in partisan politics. It diminishes him as a statesman and ridicules his well earned status as someone who is looked upon as common denominator and arbiter for all shades of Tarabans. It is shameful for some of us to see and hear his name being negatively mentioned into discussions on Taraba politics. This is someone who was once begged to become Nigeria’s military head of state on a platter of diamond and which for fairness, professionalism integrity and highest sense of patriotism he wisely declined and for which he has earned and continue to earn the adulation of Nigerians of all shades.
“For some of us who braved the odds and got detained in the process of fighting to oust the military thereby helping to install our present democratic dispensation must speak out against Gen. TY Danjuma’s overt political partisanship. I daresay it is at the root of the constant political turmoil that Taraba state finds itself. Gen TY Danjuma should act as the father and grandfather of Taraba not as a partisan political actor. He is above and beyond all the political tendencies and should rather act as our figure of last resort to settle squabbles among our political figures bringing his moral standing and authority rather than being a factor of division among Tarabans.
In this role we expect him to call our political figures to order where and when the go wrong and also to hold our elected leaders to account on any infraction or malfeasance identified on issues of governance so as to help uplift the state.
“This is what is expected of the General in order for Taraba state to realise it’s potential as Nature’s gift to the Nation”
