Jalingo the Taraba state capital, was on Thursday thrown into confusion and unrest as what started as normal jubilation by some supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari over his re-election turned violent.
The jubilant crowd had taken to the streets chanting victory songs, but some hoodlums later changed the atmosphere of excitement as they began to burn down billboards belonging to other parties.
Some billboards at the entrance to the government house were also not spared, as the supporters moved through various streets of Jalingo.
However, security was later beefed up to curtail further breakdown of law and order as the crowd was brought under control by some security agents.
The spokesperson of the Taraba State police command, David Misal, said the police were on top of the situation as all hands were on deck to ensure that everyone carried on their normal duties.
Meanwhile, the Taraba State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC), said the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in last Saturday’s election was a plus for the party and will be replicated on March 9.
Bobboi Kaigama, the Director General of Sani Abubakar Campaign organization, the APC Governorship candidate in the state says Buhari’s victory is a plus to the APC in the state.
Kaigama who is the Taraba state President of Trade Union Congress (TUC), while congratulating Buhari on his victory said the party will work hard to replicate the victory during the governorship election.
“We are moving to the next level of development and I urge Nigerians to support the President for the good of the country.
“This victory means a lot for us in Taraba in our quest to take over power in the state.
“Look at the numbers, the difference between PDP and our party the APC in the Presidential election was negligible despite the rigging machination of the PDP.
“We have taken note of the areas the PDP rigged during the Presidential election and we will block it on March 9.”
The PDP in the state has always maintained that Taraba remained a PDP state since 1999 and nothing can change that.
But the chief press secretary to governor Darius Ishaku, Hassan Mijinyawa in a telephone interview boated that PDP will coast to victory in Taraba on March 9.
“Taraba has been a PDP state since 1999 and in the just concluded election we delivered Taraba to PDP.
“We won three House of Representative seats and two of the Senate seats declared. So, there is nothing to worry about,” he said.
At the time of Filling this report, PDP supporters were seen replacing the destroyed billboards.
