Taraba, Gombe Witness Exodus Of Non-Indigenes Ahead Of Polls 

IT is no longer news that transporters plying the southern parts of the country from the Northeast states of Gombe and Taraba are smiling to banks following the massive exodus of non-indigenes to their various states of origin.

   What is however news as observed by The Guardian is that the expected numbers of registered voters for next Saturday’s presidential election and other elections in the two states would no doubt be low. 

  This is so because large numbers of eligible voters have began to find their ways out of these states only to return after the polls. The continued exodus of people as noticed by The Guardian is as a result of the apprehensions the polls have been generating.

  While several shops in both Gombe and Jalingo metropolis no longer open for business, major streets especially those being occupied by non-indigenes are now playing host to domestic animals as a result of the relocation of their owners.

  Apart from the bomb scare and its explosions that has continued to erupt in Gombe, making most people seek alternative residences outside the state, the tension being generated by the coming polls, especially from the teeming supporters of the two major political parties (APC and PDP) is forcing people out of the state.

 Unlike Gombe, where the Boko Haram insurgents are having field day, in Taraba it is herdsmen attack, which has compelled many in the troubled region of Wukari Council to relocate to Jalingo the state capital. However, the trend has as well changed as most people move en-mass from the state as a result of the forthcoming general elections.

  Most of those moving out of the aforementioned states told The Guardian that their actions became imperative following the lukewarm attitudes of both the federal and the states governments towards its constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties.

  Citing the ongoing attacks on the PDP in most of the local council areas their campaign train visited in Taraba, Uchendo Eze told The Guardian that last week’s bomb explosion at the Gombe township stadium was a warning signal to some of us to leave here pending when the elections are concluded.”

  The PDP in Taraba as observed has witness numerous attacks since the campaign train was flagged off. Though President Jonathan’s convoy managed to escaped the wrath of angry youths, the party’s secretariat as well as several vehicles parked in the premises were no lucky as suspected hoodlums did not only shatter the widows of the building but vandalised no fewer than ten vehicles.

   As if that was not enough last Saturday’s attack at the PDP’s campaign rally in Karim-Lamido Council witnessed blood baths, but the quick intervention of security operatives went a long way to halt the free flow of bloods on the streets.

 Though security operatives in the state have continued to reiterate their readiness to jealously provide adequate security for people during and after the elections, but this has not in anyway persuade the people to stay behind.

     Federal government’s refusal to shut down schools during the elections has become a source of worry to some parents. According to Agnes, a mother, “since government said that they will not give our children holiday, I have no other option than to withdraw them from the schools, because as I am talking to you now, we are all leaving for Enugu.’

  While making reference to the 2011 general elections, where several Youth Corp members were killed, Agnes said, “any parents who knows the pain of childbirth would not wait for government to tell them what to do with their children because this government cannot even protect themselves needless say people like us.”

    Displaying about six PVCs, which she said, belonged to her family members who were all registered in Jalingo, she stated that “staying behind to vote is nonsense and risky.”