The Gombe State Governor has said that a misleading story published by some media outfits sponsored by one Comrade Yusuf Yahuza, alleging the involvement of the Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, in the arrest and prosecution of one Khalid Muazu Izala of the Peoples Democratic Party; is cooked up lies and consequences of half-baked information.
In a press release signed by the Governor’s
Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity), Ismaila Uba Misilli, he said that the coalition did a poor job because the petition is contradictory and lacks potency and veracity.
Misilli further said that it can only be likened to the usual gansterism against the innocent Governor who is busy working on how to elevate the state from the era of misrule of the PDP in Gombe State.
Excerpt is the full text of the press release:
Our attention has been drawn to a misleading story published by some media outfits sponsored by one Comrade Yusuf Yahuza, alleging the involvement of the Governor of Gombe State, His Excellency, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, in the arrest and prosecution of one Khalid Muazu Izala of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ordinarily, we would not have bothered to respond to such a malicious report or the signatory of the petition who wallows in his ignorance, but for the sake of the well-meaning people of the State, our response becomes necessary.
Yahuza, the coordinator of The Civil Society Groups for Peace, Justice and Development, had earlier alleged with utmost ignorance that our dear Governor was responsible for the judicial trial of Khalid Izala. He thereafter rushed to the media in his calculated attempt to smear the Governor’s image.
In his words: “It is obvious from the above facts that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya led administration in Gombe State, Nigeria is by all standards, an antithesis of the ideals of your noble organisation, to wit: the rule of Law, democracy, equity, justice, fairness, freedom of all men, regardless of their creed, beliefs, race, cultural, religious and political identities.”
Hilariously, this can only be described as cooked up lies and consequences of half-baked information. The said coalition did a poor job because the petition is contradictory and lacks potency and veracity. It can only be likened to the usual gansterism against the innocent Governor who is busy working on how to elevate the state from the era of misrule of the PDP in Gombe State.
It seems the coordinator of the civil society groups is alien to the power and right of individualism in the face of law and order in the country.
We state emphatically and unequivocally that the Governor has no hand in this matter. That is why the petitioners could not categorically say what role he played.
What happened was exclusively judicial affairs. It is a matter that has to do with an alleged defamation of character between one Garba Mairago and Khalid Izala, and as such, never the Governor’s battle.
In reality, Yahuza’s petition lacks merit and should be treated with ‘a pinch of salt’, – for it is hard to believe that in this century, one could still fall for cheap populism of some schools of thoughts – that the judicial system is dead in the country – or heavily influenced by the central power.
The petitioners did not state what role, if any, the Governor played. From available information and records, the said Mohammed Garba Mairago complained to the police that one Khalid Muazu Izala defamed him; the police investigated and arraigned Izala before a competent court. His counsel applied for bail; the police opposed the application; the court adjourned for ruling. Pending the ruling, Izala was ordered to be remanded. Mairago, the police, the defence counsel and the court all acted within their rights and powers. Does it mean just because Mairago is of the APC and Izala is of the PDP, the former has no right to complain against the breach of the law that affects him; or that the police have no right to arraign a culprit just because he belongs to an opposition party?
If the petitions have any grudges against any of the legal steps taken by any of the actors, they should be knowledgeable enough to know what legal action to take.
Even if the complainant was wrong in fighting for his right, and he is an adult son of the Governor or his Commissioner or his party chairman, you cannot visit his ‘sin’ on the Governor. Additionally, nobody is obligated to seek for the consent or counsel of the Governor in fighting for their rights.
Instead of the efforts to discredit the innocent Governor of Gombe State, Yahuza and his cohorts should have rather channelled their energy to question Garba Mohammed Mairago who dragged Khalid Muazu Izala to court to demand for his right. Or yet, challenge what he described as “unlawful detention of the PDP member in Court”, as he had earlier posited. This could have been more honourable to do by the belligerent Comrade.
Yahuza and many other fifth columnists should note that fallacies do not last long and will always be rebuffed with facts and figures.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya is committed to the rule of law and shall always carry out his public assignments within the ambit of law.
The media, the international community and indeed the general public are advised to disregard the allegations – as they are far from the truth.
