Taraba Facts

                Mallam Aliyu Hassan Ardo BY  ALIYU  HASSAN  ARDO Nigeria’s democracy has always required more than the arithmetic of winning elections. In a country marked by different, though somewhat similar, regional, religious, ethnic and economic diversity, democratic stability depends on whether citizens believe that power is exercised fairly and that every part of the federation has a meaningful place in the national project. The debate about presidential rotation between the North and the South, the political relationship between and among regional grouping, and trust between and among leaders past and present and the citizens deserves a thoughtful, evidence-based reflection. Since APC has announced presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna on 24 October 2026 it provides a timely occasion to reflect on these questions. The date was announced by the party’s Presidential Campaign Council Director-General, AbdulAziz ...

Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, may face political challenges in his bid for re-election in 2027 following his reported political split from retired General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, who is widely regarded as an influential figure in the state's politics. Read mor from to bbc hausa news Professor Saidu made the observation during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, where he expressed concern over the governor's decision to part ways with his former political mentor and defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to the professor, many people remain surprised by Kefas's decision to distance himself from Danjuma, who reportedly played a significant role in supporting his emergence as governor in the 2023 election. "Many people fail to understand the wisdom behind separating from him to the point of defecting to the APC. Undoubtedly, this could affect his relationship with some of th...

        This picture above is for illustration   The Taraba State House of Assembly has approved a bill seeking the establishment of state police in Nigeria, in a move aimed at strengthening security and improving public safety across the state. The legislative approval is expected to support efforts to improve crime prevention, enhance security operations and enable a more effective response to security challenges at the community level. The proposed state police system is intended to bring policing closer to the people and address local security concerns more effectively. With the development, Taraba has joined the growing number of states backing the establishment of state police, bringing the total to 13 states with legislative backing for the initiative. The move comes amid ongoing calls for reforms to Nigeria’s security architecture to address rising security challenges across the country.

Employees and political appointees of Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State have approached the Federal High Court in Jalingo, seeking to restrain the council chairman, Emmanuel Ubandoma, from allegedly compelling them to support the ruling party, Daily Post Report. The suit, filed on Monday by Hajara Sule on behalf of the affected employees and political appointees, challenges alleged threats to withhold their monthly salaries over their political affiliations. The applicant instituted the action against Ubandoma and Ibi Local Government Area, asking the court to protect the employees’ fundamental rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly and freedom from discrimination. In the originating motion dated October 19, 2026, the applicant invoked Sections 40, 42 and 46(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, as well as relevant provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Sule is seeking a declaration that emp...

WHY I AM RUNNING FOR OFFICE My vision is to prioritise security, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure and employment.   The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Taraba State for the 2027 election, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, has pledged to prioritise security, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure and employment if elected governor. Bwacha said his administration would focus on improving the lives of residents through inclusive governance, responsible management of public resources and policies aimed at creating lasting economic opportunities. In a statement titled “A Government for All Citizens,” the former senator advocated expanding agriculture beyond production to include storage, processing, packaging and export to increase farmers’ earnings. He also promised greater opportunities for youths and women through enterprise development, technology, mentorship and access to capital. The candidate further highlighted the n...

Controversy has erupted in Taraba State following allegations that members of the state House of Assembly were given slots to recommend candidates for vacancies advertised by the Taraba State Health Services Management Board, raising concerns about the transparency and fairness of the recruitment process. A document obtained by SaharaReporters indicates that lawmakers recommended candidates for positions involving nurses and other essential health workers, prompting questions about whether political connections influenced access to public-sector employment. Among the names listed is Precious Nuhu Akila, reportedly recommended by Hon. Nuhu Akila Rantio, the lawmaker representing Lau State Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly. Another candidate, Gassana Joseph Kassong, was reportedly recommended by Hon. Joseph Kannoh Kassong, who represents Yorro State Constituency and chairs the House Committee on Health. SaharaReporters learnt that both candidate...

The Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Mallum, a public secondary school in Mallum community, Ardokola Local Government Area of Taraba State is in a state of total collapse, raising fresh concerns over the neglect of public education under the present administration of Governor Agbu Kefas. Photographs obtained by SaharaReporters on Saturday showed three different blocks of the school in ruins. The images show a long classroom block painted in faded yellow with its green roof completely blown off on one side, windows shattered and walls stained with rainwater. Another block has a large section of the roof caved in, exposing the wooden truss, with debris littered around the compound. A third image shows an interior view with daylight piercing through the collapsed roof, and broken ceiling boards hanging dangerously over what should be a classroom. Residents who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation said the sc...

The Danji SS Campaign Council has condemned the reported attack on a campaign vehicle belonging to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for Jalingo, Yorro and Zing Federal Constituency, Hon. Innocent Umar Jabayang, calling for an investigation into the incident. In a press release signed by its spokesperson, Mr Emmanuel Umaru, the campaign council said the vehicle, with registration number GBB-339AA, was damaged, with its windscreens smashed, bodywork badly affected and campaign materials destroyed. The council described the incident as an attack on democracy and the right of citizens to make political choices freely, insisting that violence and intimidation should have no place in the electoral process. It warned against the introduction of political thuggery into Jalingo, Yorro and Zing, noting that the communities had long been associated with peace, brotherhood and political tolerance. The council also reaffirmed the commitment of its principal, Hon. Dan...

Taraba Governor Agbu Kefas’ re-election campaign council has challenged opposition governorship candidates to present clear manifestos, practical policy alternatives and costed plans ahead of the 2027 elections. The council’s media director, Emmanuel Bello, accused opposition figures of focusing on criticism and personal attacks rather than explaining how they would address challenges in security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, civil service welfare and youth empowerment. Bello urged voters to assess all candidates based on their manifestos, financing plans and verifiable records, while maintaining that the Kefas administration would continue to defend its achievements under the Moving Forward agenda.