2027: Bwacha, Kefas Camp Clash Over ‘N1trn Debt’ Claim as Taraba Gov Race Heats Up

…….The debt profile he quoted is not backed by credible data – Ardo

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

A political row has erupted ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Taraba State, as former Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, accused the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas of driving the state’s debt profile beyond N1 trillion  a claim swiftly rejected by the governor’s supporters.

Bwacha, who formally declared his intention to contest the governorship, anchored his bid on what he described as worsening governance failures and an “alarming” rise in public debt.

Addressing supporters in Jalingo on Thursday, the former lawmaker alleged that Taraba’s debt had surged from about N237 billion in 2023 to over N1 trillion under the current administration, raising concerns about fiscal discipline and accountability.

He linked the purported increase to excessive borrowing without commensurate development, deteriorating infrastructure, and a struggling education sector.

Bwacha said he would not have returned to the race if governance in the state had translated into tangible benefits for citizens, citing hardship, poor economic planning, and what he described as misplaced priorities.

“Today, our state stands on the brink. What we see goes beyond challenges  it reflects a lack of transparency, fiscal irresponsibility, and governance driven by self rather than service,” he said.

He added that rising poverty, insecurity, and declining agricultural productivity underscored what he termed a drift from people-focused leadership.

However, the Kefas camp dismissed the claims as inaccurate and politically motivated.

The Agbu Kefas Continuity Movement described Bwacha’s allegations as “misinformation,” insisting that the figures cited were not supported by verifiable records.

Coordinator of the group, Ibrahim Ardo, accused the former senator of attempting a political comeback through exaggerated claims, while defending the administration’s performance.

“This is not opposition; this is misinformation. You cannot inflate figures to alarm the public. The debt profile he quoted is not backed by credible data,” Ardo said.

He maintained that the Kefas administration had made strides in improving security through strengthened intelligence gathering and had restored public confidence in governance.

The exchange underscores an early intensification of political contestation in Taraba ahead of the 2027 polls, with both camps trading claims over the state’s fiscal health and governance record.