Former APC governorship candidate and serving Senator, Emmanuel Bwacha, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 Taraba State governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing what he described as the “abysmal performance” of Governor Agbu Kefas as the driving force behind his decision.
Bwacha made the declaration on Thursday in Jalingo during a grand reception held in his honour, where he accused the current administration of worsening hardship and failing to deliver meaningful development to the people of Taraba State.
The senator recalled that after the 2023 governorship election, he had vowed not to contest again if the Kefas administration genuinely delivered dividends of democracy to the people. However, he said the situation on the ground had instead deteriorated.
“At Ashuku, during the burial of my sister Alice, I made it clear that I would not contest again if governance truly improved. Sadly, that is not the case. The hardship has deepened, and the suffering has increased,” Bwacha stated.
He said growing calls from across the state, combined with what he described as “repeated failures in governance,” compelled him to return to the political arena.
Bwacha accused the Kefas administration of prioritizing “self-serving projects over people-oriented development,” alleging widespread fiscal mismanagement, poor planning, and disregard for accountability.
According to him, governance in the state has strayed from its core purpose, with increasing debt and declining public trust.
“Our debt profile has risen from about ₦237 billion in 2023 to over ₦1 trillion today. This raises serious questions about prudence and leadership capacity,” he said.
He further alleged that critical sectors such as education, infrastructure, and economic planning were being neglected, while public resources were being poorly managed.
Bwacha warned that continued silence in the face of governance failures would amount to complicity, insisting that leadership must be held accountable.
Declaring his political comeback, the senator said his ambition was not driven by personal interest but by what he called “the urgent reality of the times.”
“I therefore declare my resolve to lead Taraba into a new era of transparency, unity, and real progress,” he said.
He pledged to focus on structural development, improved accountability, and inclusive governance that prioritises citizens over political interests.
Bwacha also called for unity across ethnic and religious lines, urging residents to reject divisive politics and embrace collective responsibility in rebuilding the state.
“Our future must not be shaped by division, but by shared responsibility. Unity will be our strength,” he added.
The declaration sets the stage for what is expected to be a heated political contest ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Taraba State.
Bwacha Blames Kefas, Declares 2027 Governorship Comeback Bid
