Allow the Maihanci family to produce Maihanci's successor.

By Ahmed Usman Jalingo

As the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC fixed 3rd February 2024 for re-runs and by-elections into National and State Assemblies, a member of the Maihanci Family, Barr. Bilyaminu Lukman Maihanci has urged Taraba State Governor Dr, Agbu Kefas and the People's Democratic Party in the state to allow the Maihanci family to produce a successor of the late Hon. Isma'ila Yusha'u Maihanci to represent Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency

Maihanci died in Abuja, the nation's capital after a brief illness on Saturday 22nd April, 2023, days after he was elected as a member of the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.

In an interview with journalists in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, Barr. Bilyaminu Lukman Maihanci explained that the Maihanci family has all it takes to produce the next member of the House of Reps to represent the good people of Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency.

He further explained that the late Maihanci was a party loyalist and strong supporter who exosted his energy and resources in building and expanding PDP in Taraba State hence the need for the party to pay him back by selecting a member of his family to succeed him.

"Everyone knows that late Maihanci is a PDP stalwart in Taraba, he used his energy, resources, and influence to build and expand the party despite all odds. He never left the party to cross carpet to another party. It will be an honor to him by the party to choose among his kinsmen to succeed him

"Maihanci family is a very large family with professionals in almost all sectors of life. We have the likes of Hon. Isma'ila Yusha'u Maihanci who are very qualified if given the chance to represent the good people of Jalingo/Yorro/Zing at the green chamber of the National Assembly.

"We have those who can do what Maihanci was doing not only to the party but to the people. We have young, energetic, pragmatic, vibrant, and very promising politicians in our family who can replicate his style of leadership." Said Maihanci

According to Barr. Lukman Maihanci, the PDP had done it in the past when it allowed Hon. Daniel Tsokwa from Takum One Constituency to replace his brother late Hon. Sam Tsokwa, former Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly.

"When former Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly Right Hon. Haruna Tsokwa died, his brother Hon. Daniel Tsokwa was nominated by PDP and he was elected to represent Takum One Constituency in the state Assembly.

"Also PDP did the same in Kurmi when Hon. Ishiyaku Audu died as a member representing Kurmi Constituency, his son, Hon. Charles Ishiyaku Audu was nominated by the party and he was elected to replace his father in the House.

"Even in Ardo Kola, LGA when Hon. Emma Dame died, his successor was selected from his kinsmen, that was Hon. Dominic Bukuni." He added

Currently, over five contenders are seeking to replace the late Hon. Isma'ila Yusha'u Maihanci in the party. Among them are Alhaji Umaru Abdullahi Baba and Hon. Jabir Lukman Maihanci, both of Maihanci ancestry. Other aspirants are; Alhaji Bello Yero, Hon. Hassan Bappa, Hon. Ibrahim Adamu Imam, and Hon. Ishaya Kassa.

However, some sources within the PDP indicate that the party may select Maihanci's successor from two powerful persons allegedly close allies of the state governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas. They are Hon. Sale Sa'ad, former Commissioner for Urban Development and currently Chairman of the Taraba State Palliative Distribution Committee, and Dr. Garba Dantsoho, former Chief of Staff to the immediate past Minister of Transportation.