By Terna Chikpa
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, has declared that he will withdraw from the governorship race if Governor Agbu Kefas can publish details of projects worth N10 billion executed since assuming office in 2023.
The former Senate Deputy Minority Leader lamented that despite huge federal allocations to the state, Taraba’s debt profile has risen to over N1 trillion without any commensurate projects to justify the borrowing.
Bwacha made the declaration on Saturday in Jalingo while unveiling his running mate, Engr. Aminu Zakari. He assured the people that his administration would restore hope and help write a better chapter in the history of Taraba State.
He said, “After the 2023 governorship election, I believed my public journey had reached its natural conclusion. I had made peace with that decision and looked forward to devoting my life to my family, my profession, and private service. But history has a way of interrupting our personal plans.
“Today, I am not merely seeking to be governor; I am seeking to answer a call greater than myself.
“I will withdraw from the contest if Governor Agbu Kefas publishes projects worth N10 billion executed since 2023.
“Despite the huge allocations to Taraba, the state’s debt profile has risen to over N1 trillion without any commensurate project.
“I am seeking to build a Taraba where agriculture creates wealth, education unlocks opportunities, healthcare restores dignity, enterprise flourishes, infrastructure connects communities, and government earns the trust of the people through integrity, competence, and results.”
Bwacha further stated that the performance of any government should not be measured by the size of its budget but by the difference it makes in the lives of ordinary people.
The PDP candidate also justified his choice of Engr. Aminu Zakari as his running mate.
According to him, the decision was based on competence, citing Zakari’s record of public service, professional excellence, and unquestionable integrity rather than political convenience.
He said, “I chose Engr. Zakari as my running mate because I believe leadership must always place competence above convenience, character above connections, and service above self.
“Engr. Zakari’s record of public service, professional excellence, and unquestionable integrity represents the future we seek to build.”
Bwacha urged the people of Taraba State to reject every attempt to place tribe above their common destiny, religion above their shared humanity, and personal ambition above the public good.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu’s security efforts, particularly the recent approval of an Army division for Taraba, and pledged to support the President’s re-election bid in 2027.