Taraba youths dissociate from protest against Gov Kefas’ civil service reform
By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Coalition of Taraba Youths for Reform and Governance (CTYRG) has dissociated itself from the recent protest allegedly staged by some individuals suspected to be ghost workers over the ongoing civil service reform in the state.
The group also passed a vote of confidence in Governor Agbu Kefas’ civil service reform and staff verification exercise, noting that the initiative was aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability within the civil service.
Speaking at a press briefing held in Jalingo on Thursday, Mr. Manri Joshua, who addressed journalists on behalf of the coalition, alleged that the protest was sponsored, aimed at discrediting the reform process, and intended to blackmail members of the verification committee.
“We, the Coalition of Taraba Youths for Reform and Governance (CTYRG), wish to dissociate ourselves from the protest against the civil service reform and staff verification exercise initiated by Governor Agbu Kefas. We also wish to pass a vote of confidence in the reform,” he said.
He explained that genuine civil servants with legitimate grievances had been advised by the government to present their documents to the Verification Committee or the Office of the Head of Service for proper resolution.
“For the record, our review shows that between June 2023 and July 2025, the staff strength of the Taraba State Civil Service increased from about 19,000 to 25,000, resulting in 6,528 names being irregularly introduced into the payroll system without due executive approval,” Joshua stated.
According to him, in response to the discovery, Governor Kefas ordered a staff verification exercise in November 2024, followed by the constitution of a Biometric Verification Committee in 2025, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Government House.
He said the committee’s findings revealed that 6,528 individuals were expected to be verified, out of which 3,183 persons appeared for verification, while 3,345 failed to appear.
“Of those who appeared, 1,049 individuals were not found in the payroll records of any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA),” he added.
Joshua further clarified that investigations revealed the 1,049 individuals were not on the official payroll, but had allegedly purchased appointment letters from unscrupulous civil servants who acted against the interests of the state.
“These actions clearly point to internal sabotage of the civil service system rather than genuine employment,” he said.
He noted that as a direct outcome of the verification and screening exercise, the committee successfully reduced the state’s monthly salary bill to about ₦3 billion, inclusive of political appointees, thereby restoring fiscal discipline and freeing resources for governance and development.
The coalition called on the state government to remain focused and undeterred in implementing critical reforms targeted at repositioning Taraba State for effective governance and sustainable development.
