The State’s chairman of the PDP, in a recent interview, told journalists that he was surprised that Senator Ikenya, a member of the party had joined the opposition, because he wanted to run for the governorship in 2011.
Senator Ikenya said, “The Baba Adi I knew, whom I supported in 1999, is not the one that is there today. I knew him for fairness and justice. It is better for him to maintain his name because what has been happening in the state at the moment is unbecoming. I believe some of the things happening now are very unusual.”
The party’s chairman, in the interview said he supported the second term ambition of Governor Danbaba Suntai because of his performance. But in an interview with Sunday Trust Senator Ikenya faulted the chairman’s position, claiming that Governor Suntai had done very little for the state.
Senator Ikenya claimed thus: “I have found out that the man who is at helm of affairs in the state has failed. I have seen adverts in the newspapers which make it clear they have collected over N160 billion in the last three years, with no toilet constructed in the state. This excludes bank loans. Therefore, the only way the state can move forward, like other states which were created at the same time with Taraba State, is to contest an election against him. If they consider this as an opposition, I am not bothered.”
When reminded that several projects were said to have been constructed by Governor Suntai, Senator Ikenya said, “I hear about road projects, airports, hospitals etc. The only city he is developing is his village in Suntai and his farm. All the bulldozers, tractors have been taken to Suntai. Suntai is not a district head, it’s not a ward headquarters, it’s not clearly marked on the map of Taraba State. He is building a Government Lodge there. If it were a polytechnic, I wouldn’t mind. Who will go to the Government Lodge as soon as Suntai quits?”
He claimed that those urging the governor to seek a second term were contractors who were benefitting from the governors, adding, however, that “in my senatorial district, not even a toilet has been built there. Though we are in the same party, the only alternative is to change him.” He said he has consulted and had the support of a cross-section of those in the state.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
