By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State, Emmanuel Bwacha, on Thursday said he does not understand what Governor Agbu Kefas is allegedly diverting state funds to achieve.
Bwacha made the remarks while briefing journalists in Jalingo after officially declaring his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election.
According to him, Taraba State’s allocations over the past three years are double what the previous administration received in eight years.
He lamented the state of infrastructure and the growing hardship, alleging that the governor has prioritised luxury over service and development. He also expressed concern about the future of the state if Kefas secures a second term in 2027.
“I don’t know what Governor Kefas is massively stealing for; I can’t imagine what he wants to achieve,” Bwacha said.
“Within the last three years, what Governor Kefas has received as allocations is double what the previous administration got in eight years. Yet, the state of our infrastructure is a mess,” he alleged.
Bwacha further claimed that the state’s debt profile has risen significantly.
“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 said.
Reflecting on the state’s past, Bwacha noted that Taraba was on a path of progress before October 2012 under the late Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai. He said the state began to decline after Suntai’s plane crash, with further deterioration between 2013 and 2015 due to political instability.
“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, agriculture has weakened, and scandals have become frequent. This is not the Taraba we deserve,” he said.
He added that despite increased revenue inflow, hardship has intensified across the state.
“We are seeing a lack of transparency, disregard for the rule of law, fiscal irresponsibility, waste of public resources, poor economic planning, and broken promises,” Bwacha lamented.
The former Senate Deputy Minority Leader said Governor Kefas’ “abysmal performance” informed his decision to contest the 2027 governorship election.
Bwacha assured that he would lead Taraba into a new era of transparency, unity, and development if elected.
“My decision to contest the 2027 governorship election is not driven by ambition. Governor Kefas’ poor performance has compelled me to seek divine intervention and rescue Taraba from collapse,” he said.
He added that his decision followed wide consultations and repeated calls from stakeholders 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. Sadly, that is not the case.
“The hardship has deepened. 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.
“Our people have endured political, social, and moral degradation. Trust in governance has been eroded. I will lead Taraba into a new era—an era of transparency, unity, and real progress,” he promised.
