In light of the festive season and the attendant spirit of goodwill that accompanies it, the 2023 Gombe State Labour Party Gubernatorial Candidate, Hon Keftin Amuga, has passionately appealed to the State Governor, Alh. Inuwa Yahaya, to kindly consider and release all political prisoners of conscience associated with the crisis over the appointment of the Mai Tangale incarcerated since 2021.

The appeal, according to Amuga, as aimed at getting the Governor to demonstrate that his (Governor’s) actions during the appointment process were religiously motivated to persecute the Christian Majority Tangale people. Recall that the presumed preferred candidate who secured the majority of votes, Dr. Musa Idris Maiyamba, receiving 5 out of the total 9 votes, and all the detainees are of the Christian faith.

The LP Guber candidate urged the state Governor to disprove the perceptions of people a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, who had described the All Progressives Congress as a Muslim party with an Islamic agenda.

“Reflecting on such statements, the 2023 LP Gubernatorial Candidate called upon the Governor to heed his plea so as to put to rest, such conceptions,” Amuga said in a statement he personally signed. He also called onall elected and appointed politicians in the state, regardless of primordial cleavages and partisanship, to join him in urging the Governor to release the prisoners of conscience as a mark of respect and tolerance towards Christians during this significant Christmas season.

“By doing so, it creates an atmosphere of cordial religious tolerance and further enables these individuals to celebrate the occasion with their families,” Amuga said.

Furthermore, he implored all religious leaders, particularly Christian leaders, to live up to their calling and follow in the footsteps of the Prophets of old by divinely speaking out against what was wrong, particularly the continuous incarceration of these detainees. “Their influential voices can play a pivotal role in advancing the cause of righteousness and thereby advocating and establishing Justice for all,” Amuga observed.

He added: “As we celebrate this joyous season, I encouraged all Christians, where possible, to support their prayers with fasting in seeking for the unconditional release of the detainees. “Together, let us engage in soul-searching, thought-provoking, and prayerful Christmas and New Year celebrations.”

He also wished the people of Gombe “a God-fearing, blessed and prayerful Christmas and New Year celebrations.”