No fewer than four persons have been reportedly killed in Taraba State in the aftermath of the governorship election in the state.
The four persons were killed in four towns across four local government areas of the state.
According to the Taraba Peoples Assembly in a statement on Monday, the killings were traceable to the tension that had been generated by the governorship election, which result was yet to be officially declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
According to TPA, the need had come for the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to prevail on the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Hamad Makama, to declare the results of the election.
According to the TPA, there was no tension when the Peoples Democratic Party coasted home to victory in the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state on March 28, 2015.
The group however said the tension arose because of an alleged order by a retired General to Makama not to declare the results of the governorship election.
The group, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Martins Andekin, urged Jega to also immediately probe the bribery allegation against Makama.
Andekin said in the statement: “A major party has alleged that Makama has been heavily bribed by a former general in the state to declare a candidate from the Southern Senatorial district, he has since refuse to clear the air on this allegation.
“We are worried what Taraba might be if doctored results are declared, the peace currently enjoyed in the state could be upturned.
“As a peace loving people who came out to exercise their franchise, our will must be respected. It’s known that everybody wants change.”
The TPC called for the total cancellation of the results from the Southern Zone due to alleged massive irregularities that marred the entire process.
The TPA said the election result coming from Southern Taraba has been highly doctored.
It alleged that the zone has the lowest collection of the Permanent Voter Cards, but suddenly has the highest number of voters
It added: “We should also note that one Bala Adi from the zone has been in charge of INEC card readers configuration and distribution. Adi is a strong advocate of power shift to the South at all cost.”
It listed towns where the four persons were allegedly killed as Suntai in Bali LG, Kankanji in Takum LG, Kasamibila and Karim Lamido LG.
The TPA said the INEC returning officers who refused to manipulate the results were attacked in the central zone, adding: “The Army under the instruction of General TY Danjuma also intimidate voters, change collation centers
“Also the APC Chairman, Alhaji Ardo Jika said Kurmi, Donga, Wukari, Takum, Karim Lamido and Zing local Government areas have questionable results.”
The TPA said that the results from their agents were different from what the returning officers brought to the state collation centre at Jalingo.
The TPA also alleged that many wards ignored the use of the Card Reader, adding that in some that even made use of the machine, the number of votes cast were more than the number of accredited voters.
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