AMID criticisms, the Taraba State House of Assembly has cleared all the 20 commissioner-nominees sent by the state governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku.

Those screened for appointment into the state Executive Council were Rebecca Manasseh, Abubakar Sule, JohnesbJigem, Atosuma James Gani, Lois Emmanuel, Jesse Adi Ashumate.

Others were Gambo Ude Endafo, Tafarki Agbadu, Illiyasu Mohammed Ajibu, Gowon Emmanuel, Abba Akawu Zagga, Musa Karanty, Alhassan Hammanadama, Aminu Jika, Innocent Vakkai, David Ishaya, Musa Dakka, Anthony Danburam, Yusuf Nya Akirikwen and Alexander M. Senlo.

The screening of the nominees, which commenced early this week, finally came to a conclusion yesterday with the entire 24 members affirming the need for the governor to, as a matter of urgency, assigned them portfolios.

Satisfied with the contributions of the members to the success of the exercise, the Speaker, Abel Peter Diah, directed the Clerk of the House to as a matter of urgency communicate the governor on the findings of the members and on the need to assign office portfolios to the nominees.

He also lauded the efforts of the governor for ensuring that women are adequately represented in the would-to-be cabinet.

Unlike the past administrations where women were relegated to the background, three out of the 20 commissioner-nominees as observed The Guardian are women.

Allaying the fears of those complaining that the number of persons nominated as commissioners are too much following the dwindling financial situation of the state, the Speaker said people should stop thinking negative and wishing the state bad.

“ I don’t want to talk about our fears, I want to talk about our hope”, he said.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Taraba State Chapter, has criticised the various appointments made so far by the state governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku.

Also commenting on the list of commissioner-nominees and appointment of Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants, a group, Taraba Intelligentsia Mafia, felt said persons appointed “are those who did not labour for the success of the party.”

It expressed dismay that in spite of the massive contributions made by some individuals for the success of the party in the last general elections, the state governor “did not consider to compensate them with appointments as earlier promised.”

A statement signed by its co-ordinator, Titus Abubakar and Secretary, Sadiku Hammanadama, the group observed that the governor “brought in people that do not even have PDP membership cards”, adding: “Those that spent their money and time to actualise the party’s dream were left to the mercy of no hope for appointment.
“There are some of the nominees who do not know their polling units, how can such people bring development to the grassroots.”