AFTER several months of speculation over his whereabouts, the Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, has quietly returned to Jalingo, the state capital, following a prolonged absence from office.
Although no official statement has been issued by the state government regarding his return, a short video clip showing Alkali seated in his office surfaced on social media Tuesday, sparking conversations across the state.
Sources confirmed to News Point Nigeria that the deputy governor flew into Yola Airport from Abuja before being driven in a convoy of four vehicles to his official residence at the Government House in Jalingo.
Alkali, who had reportedly been battling an undisclosed ailment, was last seen in public eight months ago.
His absence had fueled speculations about his health and ability to perform his duties as deputy governor.
An official attached to his office, who requested anonymity, said the deputy governor briefly entered his office upon arrival and met with some senior staff.
“It is today that I was told the Deputy Governor returned to Jalingo unannounced. I did not see him personally when I entered the office, but I was told that he came in briefly and held a short meeting with senior officers,” the source revealed.
However, the return of Alkali has left even senior officials of the government in the dark.
The Deputy Governor currently has no official press secretary, and the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Agbu Kefas, Yusuf Sanda, said he had not received any official briefing about the development.
“I saw a short video clip showing the Deputy Governor in his office, but I do not know the source of the clip, and I have not been officially informed about his return,” Sanda told this newspaper.
Similarly, the Senior Adviser on Media and Digital Communications to Governor Agbu Kefas, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, said he was unable to comment officially on the matter.
“I saw the video clip you are talking about, but I cannot comment because I speak for the governor, not the deputy governor. It is the Commissioner for Information who can make any official statement on behalf of the state government,” Bello explained.
The return of the deputy governor has raised fresh questions about his health, the reason for his prolonged absence, and the silence of the government on the matter.
For now, Alhaji Aminu Alkali’s reappearance has left more questions than answers, as Tarabans await an official clarification from the government on his long absence and sudden return.