Political tensions are once again heightening in Taraba State following the circulation of a letter allegedly announcing the re-appointment of a Deputy Chief of Staff to the Office of the Deputy Governor.
The development, as at the time of filing this report, has ignited debates around constitutional legality and fuelled fears of an impending power struggle within the state’s executive arm.
The letter which was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Gebon T. Kataps, and reportedly approved by Governor Agbu Kefas, stated that the posting is intended “to ensure effectiveness of governance and articulation of government policies and programs emanating from the purview of the Deputy Governor’s Office”;.
The move, as noticed by DAILY POST, has drawn strong criticism from the people of the state, particularly from the Mumuye Cultural Development Association, MCDA, which has demanded immediate clarification from the state government on the necessity and legality of the appointment.
In a statement jointly signed by the secretary of the MCDA Caretaker Committee,CTC, Dr. Ishaku Bitrus Manang, and the Chairman of the CTC. Associate Professor Alex M. Malaazee, on Thursday, the association questioned the rationale behind creating the position, particularly given that Deputy Governor Alhaji Aminu Alkali has reportedly been absent from office since November 2024 without any prior appointment of a Deputy Chief of Staff.
“Given the absence of the Deputy Governor, what prompted the sudden need for this position? Is this type of appointment provided for in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended? In the event of the Deputy Governor’s incapacitation, can the Permanent Secretary in the office not assume these responsibilities until the Deputy Governor’s return or otherwise?”; the MCDA queried.
The MCDA also raised concerns that the appointment might effectively create the role of an “Assistant Deputy Governor,”; or potentially signal an attempt to bypass constitutional procedures for appointing a new deputy governor, as has been speculated in some quarters.
Reiterating its previous position, the MCDA insisted that any steps toward replacing the ailing Deputy Governor must strictly follow constitutional provisions and traditional protocols in the state.
The association who also emphasized the political significance of the deputy governorship, recalled that the joint ticket of Alhaji Aminu Alkali and Governor Agbu Kefas was a strategic agreement with the Mumuye people that secured the People’s Democratic Party ,PDP, victory in the 2023 elections.
“The Mumuye people request that this bargain be respected and upheld by the Dr. Agbu-led administration,”; the statement read. “It is now the turn of the Mumuye people to benefit from the PDP.”;
The Daily Post had earlier reported that plans were allegedly underway to replace the deputy governor due to his prolonged ill health, a report the state government immediately denied through the State House of Assembly.
As of the time of filing this report, the state government had not issued any official response to the concerns being raised by the association.
