Taraba Killings: Constituents Express Anger Over Resignation Of Lawmaker

The constituents of Karim-Lamido 1 state constituency in Taraba State have expressed disappointment at Hon. Mike Dio Jen, the state house of assembly member who resigned from the assembly and was sworn in as the commissioner for tertiary institutions in the Taraba State government.

The constituents regretted electing Jen in the last 2023 house assembly election, stating that his actions have betrayed the people of the area who have no voice at the state house of assembly, particularly at a time when they are killed in large numbers.

Karim-Lamido 1 constituents came under heavy attacks in the last two weeks by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Over 57 persons have been killed, houses and crops worth millions of naira have been destroyed, scores are still missing, while hundreds of people have been displaced within the two weeks.

Mr. Peter Jen, a member of the constituency who spoke to our correspondent about Mike Dio Jen’s resignation and the killings within the area, said Hon. Jen has betrayed the people of Karim-Lamido 1, who elected him to represent them at the state house of assembly in the 2023 election.

Peter Jen said Mike Jen’s resignation was his sole decision since he (Mike) did not contact anybody from the constituency before he resigned to pick the slot of commissioner under the cabinet of Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State.

Other constituents who spoke to LEADERSHIP lamented the decision of Hon. Jen to resign his position as a member Taraba State House of Assembly to become a cabinet member, calling for full investigation to unravel reasons behind his sudden resignation.

“We feel betrayed over the actions of Hon. Mike Dio Jen whom we elected to represent our constituency at the state house of assembly, when he took the decision to resign, he owe us a duty to come the same way he was calling on the people during his campaign to vote for him, he needs to inform the constituents of his decision to resign at the assembly.

“He sat in his house, took a sole decision over our mandate, now see how our people are being killed like ants, we don’t have anybody to present our case at the state house of assembly, except if out of pity a member from another constituency would do that for us, we are angry, disappointed and betrayed.

“We are disappointed over his actions, particularly now that this evil has befallen on us. There is a saying that one good turn deserves another. Today, he betrayed us. Tomorrow is coming,” Bitrus Nemja Munga stated while speaking with our correspondent.