APC Faults Governor Kefas’ Address on Deputy Governor’s Long Absence.
By Sarah Mudwa
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State has criticised Governor Agbu Kefas’ recent state-wide broadcast on the prolonged absence of his deputy, Alhaji Aminu Abdullahi Alkali, describing it as “rhetoric without a clear way forward.”
In the broadcast on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Governor Kefas addressed concerns over Alkali’s absence from office since last year.
However, the APC said the speech failed to provide concrete solutions, accusing the governor of “self-arrogation of power” and personalising the matter with “religious sentiments.”
The party, in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Aaron Artimas, noted that Alkali’s absence has exceeded the three-month limit stipulated by the constitution, calling it a “brazen violation” of the law.
“The speech was a mere rhetoric claiming some motion but without a single movement. In other words, the State is still where it was eight months ago regarding the fate of his excellency, Alhaji Aminu Abdulahi Alkali.
“Instead of offering a more tangible way forward, the governor’s speech was a self arrogation of power which smacks of a maximum ruler.
“While we sympathise with the Deputy Governor over his health challenges, exposing him to wild speculation is not the best way to assist him,” the statement read.
The APC urged the state government to hold sincere discussions with Alkali’s family and, if he is unable to resume duties, allow him to resign honourably while receiving his entitlements.
The party further suggested that as a mark of respect, Alkali’s family or community should be allowed to nominate a replacement to ensure his constituency is not marginalised in the governance process.
Reaffirming that the Deputy Governor’s role is constitutionally significant, the APC argued it is neither ceremonial nor redundant.
“The APC in Taraba State would like to emphasize that the issue of the Deputy Governor’s illness is not a personal matter to be handled at the whims and caprice of the governor or to be subjected to some form of emotions of “e’spirit de corps”, since this is purely a constitutional matter and of public accountability” it added.
The Party wished the Deputy Governor, Alh Alkali a speedy recovery from his illness.
