BY; CHUWANG DUNGS
Taraba State governor, Agbu Kefas has called on the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Sani Yahaya to accept the tribunal ruling and channel their energy in “building Taraba.”
“Instead of using resources by engaging in prolonged legal battles, our energy should be channel towards improving the lives of the suffering people of Taraba” he spoke at the state government house Jalingo, after the tribunal judgement was delivered on Saturday afternoon.
The court upheld the return of Mr Kefas as the duly elected governor of the state after dismissing the petitions of the NNPP.
Yahaya and NNPP had challenged the return of Mr Kefas and his deputy Aminu Alkali of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the governorship election in Taraba conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 18 March.
Mr Yahaya and his party are yet to make a public statement on the outcome of the judgement.
Mr Kefas said engaging in a prolonged legal battle would only deplete the state’s valuable resources meant for the improvement of citizens’ lives.
He urged aggrieved parties to respect the choice of the people of Taraba and the decision of the court and work for the collective brighter future of the state.
“In this moment of celebration I extend a hand of unity and cooperation to my fellow contestants to join me so that we can move forward,” he said.
According to the governor, this is to prioritise the welfare and progress of residents over any further litigation.
Kefas expressed his appreciation to the judges for their dedication to the course of justice during the proceedings and their unwavering commitment to fairness, honesty and uprightness in strict accordance with the law.
He maintained that the judges’ conscience reaffirmed the strength of the democratic institution.
While stressing that there are invaluable lessons to learn from the past, he thanked religious, traditional rulers, his supporters and citizens of the state for standing by his administration with “unwavering prayer and steadfast support”.
He added that the “voice of the people of Taraba has been upheld.”
