The battle for the Taraba State Government House has intensified on Saturday as the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, unveiled Engineer Aminu Zakari as the running mate to its governorship candidate, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, ahead of the 2027 election.
The unveiling, held at the faction’s secretariat in Jalingo, formally presented the Bwacha-Zakari ticket as the group’s political platform for the 2027 governorship contest.
The Former Senator, has pledged to lead the campaign that is anchored on integrity, transparency and accountability.
Senator Bwacha, who described the joint ticket as a coalition of competence, experience and commitment to public service, said the movement was driven by the growing demand for purposeful and responsive leadership in the state.
“This is a call that is greater than my personal life, a call to serve the people of Taraba State.
“Resources did not build a nation; people do, and leadership also does. I have listened to farmers, youths, men and women who are crying for good leadership,” Senator Bwacha said.
The former senator said, Zakari was selected on the strength of his record of service and capacity, insisting that the choice was not based on political calculations.
“My choice of Zakari is not political but because of his record of service,” he stated.
The Guber candidate, then urged residents to take ownership of the movement, saying the ticket was committed to building a Taraba where leadership would be defined by service and measurable impact rather than personal opportunity.
He pledged that, the faction would promote integrity, transparency and accountability while rejecting politics of fear, division and intimidation.
“We promise integrity, transparency and accountability. We should reject a politics of fear and division,” he said.
The party’s flag bearer also declared that members of the faction would remain vigilant throughout the 2027 electoral process, and warned against any attempt to compromise the integrity of the polls.
“We will not allow rigging to take place in 2027 as we are going to be watchful,” he added.
Earlier, Engr. Zakari thanked the party leadership and Bwacha for choosing him as the Deputy Governorship Candidate, and pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him.
He said, effective governance was not achieved through chance but through deliberate planning, active engagement with the people and a commitment to public service.
“Good governance is not magic, it is the product of deliberate planning, listening and service,” Zakari said.
A leader of the faction in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Abba, said Zakari’s emergence was part of efforts to reposition the party and present a credible political alternative to the people of Taraba.
Prominent party stakeholders at the event included a former Nigerian envoy to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Ambassador Hassan Ardo; Yusuf Akirikwe (SAN); and a former Secretary to the Taraba State Government, Anthony Jellason, among others.
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