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PRESIDENT TINUBU’S VISIT TO TARABA STATE EXPOSES GOVERNOR KEFAS’S ALLEGED FAILURE – APC CHAIRMAN

The pioneer Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State and former Nigerian Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Alhaji Hassan Ardo, has stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Taraba has exposed the alleged failure of Governor Agbu Kefas’s administration. The visit, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, was seen as a clear indication that the state government has underperformed in the last two years. “It is quite unfortunate that while presidential visits to other states are typically marked by the commissioning of multiple people-oriented projects, there was nothing of such in Taraba,” Ardo said. “The only project the Vice President could commission was the already renovated airport, which was originally constructed and inaugurated over a decade ago and named after the late Governor Danbaba Suntai.” Ardo lamented that Governor Kefas has failed to construct even a kilometre of road since assuming office. “I wish the President had visited in person to witness the lack of development firsthand,” he noted. According to him, the visit has validated concerns expressed by opposition figures that the current government has no tangible achievements to show. “What Governor Kefas boasts about are cosmetic renovations—the Government House, guest lodges, and personal accommodations—while crucial infrastructure like the Namnai Bridge, which collapsed last year, remains unattended,” Ardo said. He recalled that in March 2025, Governor Kefas announced that the contract for the bridge’s reconstruction had been awarded, yet no visible work has begun. Ardo accused the governor of mismanaging over N300 billion accrued from the Federation Account in the past two years. “The people deserve accountability. Governor Kefas should admit that he has lost focus and is incapable of governing the state. He should resign,” Ardo declared. Regarding the state’s investment drive, particularly the much-publicized Taravest initiative, Ardo dismissed it as a “conduit pipe” for misappropriating public funds. “Mark my words—by the end of this administration, not a single real investor would have set up shop in Taraba State,” he said. Ardo called on President Tinubu to provide special federal interventions to cushion the hardship being experienced by citizens due to what he described as poor governance under the PDP-led administration.

TARABA DEPUTY GOVERNOR ALKALI RECOVERING FROM STROKE, SAYS COMMISSIONER

Taraba State government has finally spoken about the health condition of Deputy Governor Alhaji Aminu Alkali, who has been absent from office since November last year. According to Commissioner for Information, Barrister Zainab Usman Jalingo, the deputy governor suffered a stroke but is recuperating and will soon return to office. Speaking to journalists after the State Executive Council meeting on Monday, Jalingo said, “The deputy governor had an ailment around November last year that required treatment in Abuja. From there, he was moved to Cairo, Egypt, for further medical attention.” She added that the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, who recently visited Alkali in a Cairo hospital, had briefed the council on his condition. Jalingo disclosed that the government can confirm Alkali is responding well to treatment. His prolonged absence has fueled anxiety in the state, with some politicians reportedly lobbying for his position. However, concerns persist over the accuracy of information on Alkali’s health, with comparisons drawn to the late Governor Danbaba Suntai’s case, where conflicting reports delayed his deputy’s succession.