By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Taraba State House of Assembly and a civil society group, the Zing Watch Group, have denied and condemned reports alleging that the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. John Kizito Bonzena, distributed ₦1,000 each to constituents as a Christmas gift.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that social media publications on Wednesday evening alleged that the Speaker had shared ₦1,000 each to about 37 constituents who travelled to Jalingo at his invitation for Christmas festivities.
However, in separate press statements issued to journalists on Saturday evening, both the Taraba State House of Assembly and the Zing Watch Group clarified that the ₦1,000 gesture was not meant for constituents but for children and young ladies around the Speaker’s residence in Jalingo.
The statements further explained that while the Speaker had indeed extended a Christmas invitation to his constituents, the event was scheduled to hold in his village, Yakoko, in Zing Local Government Area. Some constituents, however, misinterpreted the venue and travelled to Jalingo instead.
According to the statements, the Speaker had already moved to Yakoko ahead of the event when the mix-up occurred.
“For the record, the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly did not share ₦1,000 to his constituents. The ₦1,000 Christmas gesture was strictly for children and young ladies around his residence in Jalingo,” the statement said.
It added that the Personal Assistant to the Speaker informed the constituents who mistakenly arrived in Jalingo to return to Yakoko, where the Christmas event was taking place.
“The Speaker’s aide explained that the ₦1,000 was a long-standing tradition by the Speaker for children around his Jalingo residence and had no connection with the constituency Christmas event,” the statement clarified.
The statements, signed separately by Ibrahim Bello Kotto, Kenneth Mezeh Joshua, and Saddam C.Y. on behalf of the Zing Watch Group, as well as by the Media Department of the Taraba State House of Assembly, passed a vote of confidence in the Speaker and urged members of the public to disregard what they described as mischievous and misleading information.
They further disclosed that during the Christmas event in Yakoko, several stakeholders—including elders, religious leaders, youth organisations, women’s groups, and party faithful—met with the Speaker and received various forms of support such as wrappers, bags of rice, and start-up funds for small businesses.
The statements also highlighted the Speaker’s achievements within the year in his constituency, including the construction and furnishing of standard accommodation for corps members, building of culverts, installation of street lights, and tree planting initiatives aimed at combating climate change.
“As a former civil servant, Rt. Hon. Bonzena embodies integrity and professionalism, addressing the needs of his constituents effectively. His distinguished career reflects his leadership capacity and commitment to public service,” the statement read.
It further noted that under Bonzena’s leadership, the Taraba State House of Assembly has prioritised education, healthcare, and infrastructure development, while promoting peace, unity, and transparency.
“He listens to the people, responds to their concerns, and continues to improve lives. His actions demonstrate integrity, compassion, and dedication to public service,” the statement concluded.
