By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
After one year of Dr Agbu Kefas’ administration as governor of Taraba State, questions of thought on whether the opposition All Progressives Congress’ prophecy that Kefas would be a regret for the development of Taraba are beginning to flow the street.
Our correspondent reports that the APC in Taraba, had during the 2023 general election campaign, prophesied that Kefas, if become governor, would be the worst ever governor in the history of Taraba since 1991.
Meanwhile, a vivid check and assessment of elected administrations in the state under one year, since 1999 by our correspondent indicate that the scores graded to each of the past governors till date by residents of the state which score Kefas as the least performing, is fair.
Taraba residents have on may 29, 2024, conducted an online assessment of administrations in the state under one year since 1999, and scored governor Agbu Kefas lowest.
In the grading as conducted, former governor Jolly Nyame scored 48 points, Late former governor Danbaba Suntai scored 40 points, former governor Darius Ishaku scored 16 points while governor Agbu Kefas scored seven points. However, Kefas was graded top based on promises.
Reacting to the poll, Mr Adi Thimoty a retired civil savant from Wukari local government described the pool as most fair in the assessment and comparison of government performances.
“Governor Agbu Kefas has made so many promises but it’s unfortunate that good governance assessment has shown that his first one year is the worst ever witness in Taraba. The one year outting of the governor is the poorest since 1999, but we pray God to redirect his heart for good governance rather than promises and traveling,” Adi reacted.
Ordinarily, Tarabans believed that Kefas as a young man, was coming to prove a point to clear the doubt that young people do not perform well in leadership position. Meanwhile, campaign promises and after election promises of the governor have remain unkept to, while the hope for the fulfilment of 100 days and one year promises have been dash.
Why the APC’s prophecy on Kefas is becoming scaring to the citizens is because of the consistent “I will do” pronouncement of the governor without action.
“I will return IDPs to their ancestral homes and unit Tarabans within my first 100 days”. Governor Agbu Kefas had during and after election campaign, promised to return all the displaced Tarabans to their ancestral homes from the IDP camps, and restore unity among Tarabans that was claimed to have been disrupted by the immediate past administration of former governor Darius Ishaku.
However till date, IDP camps are rather increasing in numbers while old ones are becoming over crowded due to either, ” The claim that a particular ethnic is not from Taraba or the unknown Killers attack on other.
“I will build Taraba of the citizens dreams” A vivid findings by the Nigerian Tribune review that a move to build Taraba of the citizens dreams as promised by governor Kefas is yet to commence. Check by correspondent shows that, not even a single project has been flagged off since may 29,2023.
“I will pay 245000 to corps members serving in Taraba” Miss Hassana Zakari, Jeremiah Atukwa and Tony Akin Akande, both told correspondent that they are beginning to dash out the hope on the governor’s promise since they have just few months to finish the one year mandatory service.
“We are beginning to see the promise as normal politicians promises especially those who do not have the heart for good governance. These promises were made when some of our colleagues were just few months in the service. They have pass out and we are here hopping the governor would make a difference,” the corps members expressed.
“I will build a world-class ICT and skills acquisition centre for youth development within my first year,” A promise of establishing a world-class ICT and skills acquisition centre in Jalingo for youth development by governor
Kefas, just two months of his administration was a mind blowing promise for youths since it was said to be targeted toward creating jobs opportunities for youth and women in the state.
However, the hope of the youth to be liberated from unemployment and poverty is now being thrown under probability.
It is a popular saying that “travelling is part of education,” Considering this fact, Tarabans thought that development would accompany the number of times Kefas has gone to either Europe or Asians country in the name of attracting development for Taraba state.
Since may 29,2023. Gov Agbu Kefas has embarked on over 100 foreign and local trips in the name of either partnership or attracting investors to come and invest in Taraba. However, all the over 100 trips which analysts said, he has spent over 37 Billion Naira for, have not created a single positive impact on Taraba state.
The reality of life remains that a leader build more and continues hope on his followers when he is often seen around. However in the case of governor Kefas, Tarabans are building their hope for the development of the state through prayers for God to redirect the governor’s heat to concentrate on governance rather than travelling.
The most unfortunate reality that is gradually bringing the Taraba APC prophecy to reality is that, analysts have reviewed that since may 29,2023 till date, governor Kefas has spent only three weeks in Nigeria.
The analysis shows that, Kefas who has not spend four days in Jalingo since he became governor, spent his first one week in Nigeria in December, 2023 while organising the 85th birthday anniversary for Gen. TY Danjuma in Lagos. The governor spent his first one week in Taraba, and second in Nigeria in February 2024, while mobilizing for the commissioning of Daisy Danjuma Eye centre in Takum local government, and spent his second week in the state in May 2024, during the installation of the 27 years old vacant chieftaincy stool of Takum, which marks his three weeks in Nigeria since becoming governor of Taraba.
Considering the current state of Taraba, the continue underdevelopment status of the state, while the promises for general transformation is still the headline of governor Kefas after one year, even though, if the hope for transformation should still be alive, the APC prophecy be remember to save Taraba from total collapsing.
