Ben Adaji Jalingo
Senator Emmanuel Bwacha. governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC in the last general elections, has declared his decision to contest the 2027, governorship seat under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) citing governor Agbu Kefas abysmal performance which has inflicted untold hardship on the people as the reason behind his decision.
Bwacha who made the declaration in Jalingo during a grand reception in his honour on Thursday recalled that, in the aftermath of last election, he openly declared that if the Kefas administration can bring dividends of democracy to the people, he would have no reason to contest the seat again.
He however expressed bitterness that rather than providing good governance, the administration has chosen to prioritise comfort self serving projects at the expense of people oriented projects.
“At Ashuku, during the burial of my sister Alice, I made it clear: I would not contest again if the dividends of democracy were truly reaching the people of Taraba. Sadly, that is not the case. The hardship has deepened. The suffering has increased. That is why, after wide consultations and repeated calls from across the state, I have decided to step forward once again. This decision is not driven by ambition, but by the urgent reality of our times.
“Our people have endured political, social, and moral degradation. Trust in governance has been eroded. To remain silent in the face of this is dangerous. Silence, in times like this, is not neutrality—it is complicity. As Edmund Burke once said, “Those who remain silent in the face of evil are not victims but accomplices.”
“Today, our state stands on the brink. We see a lack of transparency. Disregard for the rule of law. Fiscal irresponsibility. Waste of public resources. Poor economic planning. Broken promises. We see failing infrastructure. An overburdened and underfunded education system. Excessive borrowing without accountability. Governance that prioritizes luxury over service.
“These actions betray the very purpose of government. They destroy the bond between leadership and the people. What we see is governance driven by self, not service. Our debt profile has risen alarmingly—from about 237 billion Naira in 2023 to over a Trillion Naira today. This raises serious concerns about prudence, accountability, and leadership capacity.
“I therefore declare my resolve to lead Taraba into a new era—an era of transparency, unity and real progress. We will pursue a clear break from the present system. Our focus will be on meaningful, structural development that improves the lives of our people—not cosmetic projects.
“Our vision is simple: to restore Taraba to a place where every citizen feels a sense of belonging. A state where leadership serves the people, and the people trust their leaders. We will welcome accountability. We will encourage constructive criticism. And we will reject divisive politics.
“Let us not seek ethnic answers or religious answers. Let us seek the right answers. Our future must not be shaped by division, but by shared responsibility. Unity will be our strength. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” We must stand together—as one Taraba, with one purpose, and one destiny. Yes, the road ahead will not be easy. But with courage, transparency, and inclusiveness, we will overcome” he declared.
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