By Godwin Agia, Taraba
Business owners in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital, have appealed to governor Agbu Kefas to be always considerate, by allowing people to continue with businesses in locations he acquired as personal properties, pending future development.
The business men speak amidst mass displacement of their colleagues in locations alleged to have been acquired by the governor, especially on the major street of Jalingo.
They expressed that the development was gradually becoming a threat to security, since is rendering many young people jobless.
The businessmen appealed with the governor to reconsider his decision on colleagues who have been displaced in different locations between 2024 to date, while properties are yet to be developed.
They also urged the governor to remember his background as a minister of God, and always approach such situations with God fearing spirit and human feelings.
“I wish to appeal to governor Agbu Kefas to always remember his background as a man of God, and be considerate whenever situation of such arises.
“The displacement of people who are genuinely struggling to earn a living in properties where he, (the governor), has acquired is demoralising”. One of the businessmen, Frank Yohana, appealed.
Other fellow, Mr. Joseph Kanawa who sells motor parts, and Alhaji Isa Sadiq Umar who is in to cosmetic/ women wears, both appealed to the governor to always be human with existing traders operating in places where he eventually purchased.
“We are not against the governor buying landed properties strategically located on the streets of Jalingo. Our appeal is to consider and encourage genuine efforts of young citizens striving to leave above poverty.
“We are appealing that, anywhere he acquires a land that is not willing to develop soon, he should allow those doing businesses there to continue, rather than displacing them.
Meanwhile, some of the displaced traders narrated their situations since they were asked to vacate premises within 7 days.
“We were displaced three years ago at Flickers bar where we were doing various businesses. On that evening, two young people came and issued us a 7 days notice to vacate the premises. They told us that governor Agbu Kefas has purchased the property, and do not want anyone to continue staying there for any business at all.
“We collectively made efforts to approach the governor through certain top individuals to consider our situation but all failed.
“In fact, one of the persons we contacted told us that the governor will not be using the property in five years from then. He called the governor but the number was busy. He assured us of presenting our matter to the governor for consideration, since he was not going to develop the property within five years.
“After 7 days, the guys came and extended 3 days for us to leave. We mobilised again and went back to the Kefas’ political associate who promised to assist us. Unfortunately, the man rather told us to vacate the premises and look for other locations.
“Since then in 2024, it has been challenging to cope with life since some of us have not gotten strategic locations to continue with business” The displaced Traders at former Flickers bar narrated.
Other affected traders including those at Lassandi junction, opposite Jolly Nyame stadium, and many others, expressed that the situation has thrown them into untold hardship since they were displaced in those locations in 2025, and have not gotten a strategic locations for their businesses.
Meanwhile, two traders operating along Jalingo- Yola road, expressed fear that Governor Kefas’ businessmen had approached their landlord for negotiation of the properties.
They appealed to the governor to allow them continue with their businesses pending when he may wish to develop them if he eventually acquires the lands
“We wish to humbly appeal to our governor that, if he eventually buy the properties where we are currently operating, let him allow us to remain, and continue with our sources of livelyhold.
“We have been told that our landlords are negotiating to sell out the land to the governor.
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