PDP primaries: Taraba youths, students declare fasting, prayer for Umar

Students and youth groups in Taraba State have declared a day of fasting and prayer for  former acting Governor of the state, Alhaji Garba Umar, to emerge victorious at the Peoples Democratic Party primary election.

The students, under the umbrella of Taraba State Students Movements, said its decision to resort to pray for the former acting governor follows his giant strides in the areas education and youth development during his two years administration.

TSSM, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Joseph Auta, directed all students and youths in the state to fast and pray on December 8 for Umar and his political aspiration.

The group said Umar as acting governor settled outstanding scholarship allowances to all Taraba State students for three years, insisting that no government in the state ever took education and youth development as serious as Umar.

Auta said: “Umar almost completed the State College of Nursing, which has been abandoned for five years.

“He initiated and completed some projects at the Taraba State University as well as settled outstanding contractors claims at the college of education, Zing and paid all the required counter funds for Universal Basic Education.

“Youths were the beneficiaries of these projects.

“Other governments had always neglected the younger generations.”

The group said the prayer session was to ensure unprecedented youths development and engagement witnessed during Umar’s two years administration continue.

Auta added: “We are not PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) delegates.

“We don’t have political powers, but we have God and we will call on Him to give Umar the party’s ticket.

“It’s clear the political cabals that have held our state in political captivity believes in intimidation and violence to win the PDP ticket, but we students and youth supporters of Alhaji Umar UTC believe in God Almighty that gives power.

“They have godfathers but UTC has God who is the father of all.”