TARABA State’s political scene is heating up over the continued absence of Deputy Governor Aminu Abdullahi Alkali, who has reportedly been away from the state since January due to ill health.
While the ruling government insists Alkali is recovering and remains capable of holding office, the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) is accusing Governor Agbu Kefas’s administration of flouting constitutional provisions and failing to address what it calls a leadership vacuum.
Speaking on the matter, APC’s Publicity Secretary, Aaron Artimas, demanded an official explanation on Alkali’s whereabouts and health status, noting that his absence for over eight months undermines governance.
“If the deputy governor is incapacitated and unable to perform his functions, he should be removed in accordance with the constitution,” Artimas stated.
He further alleged that Governor Kefas had already forwarded the name of the state’s Deputy Speaker, Hamman Adama Abdullahi, to the House of Assembly as a potential replacement, a claim the government denies.
Artimas accused both the governor and the House of Assembly of neglecting their constitutional responsibilities.
“The House, which should act as a check on the executive, has become a rubber stamp,” he said.
Nelson Len, spokesman for the Taraba State House of Assembly, dismissed the APC’s accusations, stating that no formal request had been brought before lawmakers to declare Alkali incapacitated.
“The process of removing a deputy governor is very clear. A medical team must first be set up to assess his health before any decision can be made,” Len explained.
Commissioner for Information and Reorientation, Zainab Jalingo, addressed the media, insisting there is no vacancy in the office of the Deputy Governor.
She described media reports of a replacement as “false, misleading, and wicked,” maintaining that Alkali remains the duly elected deputy and will return to duty after recovering.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Politics, Prof. Josiah Sabo Kente, reinforced this position, saying Alkali’s illness does not qualify as incapacitation under the constitution.
“Has governance stopped because of his absence? No,” Kente argued. “The deputy governor is more like a spare tyre, his main role is to assist the governor, and the governor is performing effectively.”
At the heart of the controversy is Section 189 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the process for declaring a governor or deputy governor incapable of performing their duties. The provision requires a two-thirds resolution of the state executive council, supported by a medical report.
APC maintains that the Kefas administration is sidestepping these provisions, while the government insists it is acting within the law and that Alkali’s rights must be protected.
As the war of words continues, the prolonged absence has become a major talking point in Taraba politics, with analysts warning that the issue could deepen partisan tensions ahead of future elections.