Anxiety Over Taraba Deputy Governor’s Whereabouts

There is growing anxiety in Taraba State over the long absence of the state’s deputy governor Alhaji Aminu Alkari who has not been seen discharging his official duty for 90 days.

Alkari has not been seen nor heard from both within and outside the state since November 11, 2024. A similar incident befell Taraba State when the former governor of the state, the late Danbaba Suntai, had an accident on the 25th October 2012, while he was piloting a Cessna 208 which clashed near Yola airport.

There is a report that the deputy governor had a severe stroke and was being treated in an Abuja hospital over two months ago.

People of the state call on Governor Agbu Kefas to provide a clear explanation for the deputy governor’s absence and also take immediate action to address the situation.

They also called on the state house of assembly to take their constitutional responsibility seriously to ensure that the governance of the state is not compromised. They stated that Alkari’s absence from the public for 90 days is against the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

A human rights lawyer from the state, Barr. Bilyaminu Maihanchi, in an open letter to the governor and Taraba State House of Assembly, which was made available to LEADERSHIP, called on the lawmakers to invoke the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 section  189 as amended to rest the issues surrounding the deputy governor.

“I call on the Taraba State Governor to provide a clear explanation for the Deputy Governor’s absence and to take immediate action to address the situation. The people of Taraba State deserve to know the truth about their leaders and to have confidence in the governance of their state.

“I also call on the House of Assembly to take their constitutional responsibilities seriously and to ensure that the governance of the state is not compromised. The Assembly must take steps to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Deputy Governor’s absence and to take appropriate action to address the situation.

“Furthermore, I urge the people of Taraba State to remain vigilant and to demand accountability from their leaders. The rights of the people must be protected, and the governance of the state must be transparent and accountable,” Maihanchi stated.