A growing wave of uncertainty has enveloped Taraba State as questions mount over the absence of Deputy Governor Aminu Alkali.
Alkali, who assumed office alongside Governor Agbu Kefas on May 29, 2023, under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) banner, reportedly left the state in November 2024 due to health-related issues.
However, since his departure, there has been no official statement on his condition or current location.
Sources indicate that Alkali initially received medical care at the National Hospital in Abuja before being transferred to Egypt for further treatment as his condition worsened.
Despite these claims, the state government has remained tight-lipped, offering no public updates on the situation.
The lack of transparency has sparked growing concerns, with political figures pressuring Governor Kefas to clarify the status of his deputy.
Many have drawn parallels between this case and the 2012 crisis involving former Governor Danbaba Suntai, who, despite being incapacitated in a plane crash, resisted transferring power to his deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar, until his eventual passing.
Adding to the mounting pressure, Jalingo-based human rights lawyer Barrister Bilyaminu Maihanchi has penned an open letter to Governor Kefas and the Taraba State House of Assembly.
He urged lawmakers to invoke Section 189 of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended) to address the issue and ensure smooth governance.
“I call on the governor to provide a clear explanation regarding the Deputy Governor’s prolonged absence and take decisive action.
“The people of Taraba deserve transparency and accountability from their leaders,” Maihanchi stated.
As anxiety lingers, residents and political stakeholders await a formal response from the state government, hoping for clarity on the fate of the Deputy Governor.