Name of the wanted former Chairman of Takum Local Council of Taraba State, Shiban Tikari, has appeared in Governor Agbu Kefas’ appointment list.
It would be recalled that the ex-council boss was recently declared wanted by the state Commissioner of Police, David lloyanomon, for his alleged indictment in the abduction and murder of erstwhile House of Assembly member representing Takum 1state constituency, Hosae Ibbi.
His name, as observed by our correspondent, came as Number 97 in the first list of 111 aides released on Wednesday night by the state government.
Tikari is nominated alongside other persons including former ministers from the state, who are to serve as Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Community Special Assistants and Heads and Members of Boards, Commissions and Agencies.
Though the appointees have not been assigned portfolios, the presence of the wanted former chairman in the list has begun to generate tension at the time of filing this report.
Some security operatives, who spoke with The Guardian, held that a wanted person or persons ought not to be given any appointment pending when he or she is exonerated of the alleged offence so committed.
They were, however, optimistic that the governor would review the list, stating, with one of them stating: “I believe it is an oversight.”
Besides Tikari’s issue, the governor has also been criticised for allegedly recycling old politicians in the state.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hassan Kona, while reacting yesterday to the appointments, said the governor’s action “demonstrated the revolutionised system of government and mentorship in the state.”
“With the governor’s appointment of youths in his cabinet, we thought the era of recycling old leaders was over. Surprisingly last night, we saw a list of the appointments of over 130 persons with the names of over 100 old politicians dominating.
“We were expecting new, young and energetic politicians as aides, the recycling of old politicians by Kefas is a disappointment.
“Taraba at this time, needs committed, highly resourceful youths, not recycling of old and bemused politicians, most of whom did nothing tangible in the state when they had the opportunity.
“Governor Kefas is getting it wrong with the calibre of people he has picked to work with. Most of the appointees have been in government since 1999,” he added.
