Taraba state deputy governor nairobi

There are growing concerns over the whereabouts of Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Aminu Alkali, over his health condition.

The deputy has been away from the state since November 2024 due to health challenges, but the state government has kept mute over the absence of the number two citizen of the state.

Alkali was said to have been admitted at the National Hospital in Abuja over an undisclosed illness.

“But glory be to God, the treatment is ongoing, and we are happy with his progress. Will Governor Kefas break the silence with an official bulletin? Will the House of Assembly initiate formal constitutional steps if the deputy cannot resume office or will Taraba continue along this uncertain path of unofficial appointments and whispered decisions?

What is clear is that this moment is defining.

Multiple sources within the Taraba State House of Assembly and top government circles confirmed to The Guardian that the deputy speaker of the Assembly, Alhaji Hamman Adama, has received unanimous backing from all 24 lawmakers as a potential successor. May the Deputy Governor recover quickly, but may the law recover faster.”

For civil society organizations like Citizens for Constitutional Accountability and Taraba Watch, the situation presents a litmus test for the state’s leadership.

“This is not just about Alkali or Kefas,” said Anthony Bako, Director of Taraba Watch.

Legal experts and civic groups were quick to raise red flags.

While government officials insist the appointment of Dr. Hassan to coordinate the administrative activities of the Deputy Governor’s office is a stopgap measure meant to keep governance fluid, critics argue that such a move lacks any constitutional backing and could set a dangerous precedent.

A constitutional lawyer,  Bilyaminu Maihanchi, has since weighed in, warning that what is unfolding in Taraba goes beyond mere politics, it strikes at the core of democratic accountability and the sanctity of constitutional governance.

In a strongly worded statement, Maihanchi described the office of Deputy Governor as a constitutional institution, not a political convenience.

“The Deputy Governor is not a personal aide to the Governor.

“None of the three arms of government is planning to replace the Deputy Governor.”

Still, the timing of the appointment of a Deputy Chief of Staff to oversee his office has not helped allay fears of a silent transition, which critics say violates the constitution and undermines public trust.

Some analysts said the Mumuye cultural leaders’ concern is based on merit and established tradition.

But last month the prolonged silence turned into speculation, and speculation morphed into open political agitation.

The state Commissioner for Health, Bordiya Buma, who visited the deputy governor in Egypt, provided an update on the deputy governor’s recovery last March.

“He had a stroke, which affected a part of his body, causing weakness on one side and impairing his ability to talk,” Buma explained.

Unconfirmed sources however hinted that he was flown out of the country to Egypt for intensive medical care as his health condition worsened.

What is happening now is similar to the scenario that played out in the state when the former governor, late Danbaba Suntai, had an accident in October 2012 while he was piloting a Cessna 208 which crashed near Yola airport.

Even though Suntai was incapacitated, the state House of Assembly refused to back the clamour for power transition to Suntai's Deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar.

A cabal however hijacked affairs of governance in the state until Suntai died and his deputy was never allowed to assume office as substantive governor as provided by the constitution.

Meanwhile, people of the state have called on Governor Agbu Kefas to provide information on the health condition and whereabouts of his deputy, who had been away from public engagements for over 90 days.

It was further gathered that many politicians have started lobbying for Alkali's seat because of his long absence.

Barr.

He argued on behalf of the state assembly.

While calling on the general public to disregard the speculations against the deputy governor, Hon. Len also denied that the assembly has not nor, discuss any thing in connection to declaring the deputy governor incapacitated, and has not received any communication from the governor to that regard.

“We have not receive any medical report showing that the deputy governor’s health is deteriorating.

The people of the state are watching, and so is the nation.

Indications have emerged that the Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, may soon be replaced due to his prolonged ill health, which has kept him out of office for over nine months.

He will resume duty as soon as he is properly heal from his prolong illness.

“He needs to be giving time to fully recover to his fit to cope with both personal and official duties.

By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo

The Taraba State House of Assembly on Thursday denied the allegation that it has perfected plans to replace the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, over his prolonged illness.

Hon.

Their leaders, under the Mumuye Cultural Development Association (MCDA), have cautioned against any move that may sideline their son, warning that the group’s support for the PDP was premised on mutual respect and inclusion.

At a press conference in Jalingo recently, the group said, “This is not just about one man; it is about the Mumuye people’s rightful stake in Taraba’s governance,” declared Prof.

From my background, this principle of 90 days applies only to a sitting governor of a state, not the deputy.