By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State, Sen. Barr. Emmanuel Bwacha, on Thursday said Governor Agbu Kefas’ alleged abysmal performance is the reason he is contesting again in the 2027 governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Bwacha explained that his decision was not driven by personal ambition, but by what he described as the urgent realities of the time.
He emphasized that the increasing hardship and the collapsing state of infrastructure, coupled with what he termed the governor’s preference for luxury over service, made it necessary for him to seek divine intervention.
“My decision to contest the 2027 governorship election is not driven by ambition. Governor Kefas’ abysmal performance has compelled me to seek divine intervention and rescue Taraba from collapse,” Bwacha said.
According to the former Senate Deputy Minority Leader, he decided to step forward again after wide consultations and repeated calls from across the state.
“I meant it when I said during the burial of my sister, Alice, that I would not contest again if the dividends of democracy were truly reaching the people of Taraba,” Bwacha stated.
“Sadly, that is not the case. The hardship has deepened, and the suffering has increased. That is why, after wide consultations and repeated calls from across the state, I have decided to step forward once again and seek divine intervention.
“Our people have endured political, social, and moral degradation. Trust in governance has been eroded.
“Today, our state stands on the brink. Yes, challenges exist, but what we are witnessing goes beyond that. We see a lack of transparency, disregard for the rule of law, fiscal irresponsibility, waste of public resources, poor economic planning, and broken promises.
“We see failing infrastructure, an overburdened and underfunded education system, and excessive borrowing without accountability. These actions betray the very purpose of government.
“They destroy the bond between leadership and the people. What we see is governance driven by self-interest, not service,” he added.
The former senator representing Taraba South also decried the rising debt profile of the state, expressing concern over its implications.
“I fear for what the state may become if Governor Kefas continues in 2027,” Bwacha said.
“Our debt profile has risen alarmingly—from about ₦237 billion in 2023 to over ₦1 trillion today. This raises serious concerns about prudence, accountability, and leadership capacity,” he added.
Reflecting on the state’s past, Bwacha said that before October 2012, under the leadership of the late Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, Taraba was on a clear path of progress.
“After the unfortunate plane crash, the state began to decline. Between 2013 and 2015, amid political instability, that decline deepened. However, even then, the situation was not as severe as what we face today,” he said.
“Today, governance has drifted away from the people. Public service has been replaced with self-serving interests. Poverty has worsened, infrastructure has decayed, insecurity has spread across our communities, agriculture has weakened, and scandals have become frequent. This is not the Taraba we deserve.”
The governorship aspirant assured that he would lead the state into a new era of transparency, unity, and progress if given the mandate.
“I will lead Taraba into a new era—an era of transparency, unity, and real progress,” he said.
“We will pursue a clear break from the present system. Our focus will be on meaningful, structural development that improves the lives of our people—not cosmetic projects.
“In education, we will invest in teacher training, improve staff welfare, and ensure proper funding. We will strengthen policies and partner with institutions and technology hubs to modernize learning.
“We will unlock our full potential in agriculture by building value chains, connecting farmers to markets, and making agriculture attractive, especially to young people and women. We will responsibly harness our mineral resources for the benefit of all, not just a privileged few, to drive economic growth in Taraba.
“We will expand healthcare access by establishing functional health centres in communities, create opportunities for medical professionals, and strengthen healthcare delivery systems.
“We will invest in connectivity and innovation by partnering with telecom providers to expand internet access and create opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
“We will build sporting hubs, recreational centres, and parks to nurture talent, promote unity, and create opportunities for youth.
“We will build and connect our communities—roads, cities, and rural areas alike. Development must serve the people, not just those in power.
“We will carry out reforms that ensure fair compensation, transparency, and dignity in the civil service. We will eliminate inefficiencies and restore pride in public service.
“Our vision is to restore Taraba to a place where every citizen feels a sense of belonging—a state where leadership serves the people, and the people trust their leaders.
“We will welcome accountability, encourage constructive criticism, and reject divisive politics,” Bwacha declared.
