Stop intimidating Artimas, Group tells Taraba Governor

September 17, 2015 – A political group in Taraba State, Utciya Organization has called on the state governor, Mr. Darius Dickson Ishaku to withdraw the quit notice given to media aide to the former Acting governor, Mr. Aaron Artimas with immediate effect, stressing that political persecution will not be allowed in the state.

Artimas was the former Special Assistant on Media and publicity under the former Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar UTC and presently a member of the APC.

The group in a press statement signed by its chairman Abubajar Aliyu Iware describes the eviction notice on Mr Artimas from his home as a clear attempt to muzzle out all forms of opposition and deny the people their own right to challenge the injustice and bad governance in the state.

The group said it will reject Governor Ishaku’s posture of confrontation against the citizens on account of their personal views.

“Taraba State does not belong to any single individual but to all of us, and, so we cannot be intimidated and denied our right to air our views or opinions on the happenings in the State,” Iware said.

Iware added that the group is prepared to go to any length to ensure that justice prevails and Mr Artimas’ home is not taken away from him based on his political affiliation or opinions expressed.

“Due to the ways and manner this action was carried out, we are more than convinced that the government’s action is not unconnected with the attempt by Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku’s to steal and claim the achievements of the Garba UTC Administration, which Mr. Artimas has vehemently rejected in various press interviews.

The group said Mr Artimas who reitred from the Service of Taraba State Government and still awaiting his retirement benefits is qualified to buy the house on owner occupier basis as this process had been started.

” We are therefore at loss to understand why the State Government will embark on this act of harrassment and intimidation by kicking him out of his residence even when his full retirement benefits have not been paid.

“There are laid down procedure for the ejection of tenants from government properties .Although Mr. Artimas has been singled out, our fear is that many Civil Servants will be denied their right to buy their houses on retirement.”

The group asked the governor to focus his attention on paying staff salaries, clearing of refuse dumps in the state capital and other basic dividend enjoyed during previous administrations.

“The people of Taraba deserve to know why they do not receive their salaries on time when there is no visible project initiated by Governor Darius. We are aware that Governor Darius started claiming credit for the Multi-Million Naira Urban Water project finance by the African Development Bank, which was signed since the Dan-baba administration.”