Uhuru Samuel Adaji Jalingo
A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State Alhaji Aliyu Zubairu has accused the State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas for appointing stooges as Commissioners so that he can have his way unchallenged.
Zubairu while addressing journalists in Jalingo on Sunday said that the governor is operating the government as a one man business because the commissioners and other appointees lacked the courage to challenge him.
He revealed that most of the commissioners have no knowledge of office procedure and have no idea of what happens under their ministries as the governor takes unilateral decisions without their inputs.
“It is so sad that the Governor deliberately appointed stooges as Commissioners who lack knowledge of the offices they occupy. They don’t raise memos for contracts executed from their offices as the Governor awards contracts without their knowledge and direct contractors to commence work.
“The Governor does not follow due process. Most of the contractors are from Niger Delta while few are the Governor’s relatives from southern Taraba. Governor Agbu is running the State like his personal estate.
“You are journalists and I challenge you to show me one project that the contract process followed due process as spelt out by the Procurement Act. We are in big trouble. The commissioners do not even know what goes on in their ministries and they cannot challenge the governor because they are mostly small boys and lack administrative experience and courage”
Zubairu lamented that some of the Commissioners, especially the female ones have turned themselves into the governor’s bag girls following him around Abuja and overseas.
“My surprise is that some of these female Commissioners are said to be influencing the Governor’s decisions on some sensitive State matters.” He said.
He expressed worry that the Governor Kefas free Education programs were only on Televisions, Newspapers and Radio, adding that there are several dilapidated schools all over the State that require government attention.
“I challenge you journalists to go to Gassol, Balì, Gashaka and other nearby local government areas here and you will see children learning under trees. So how can you convince me that you are embarking on free education without addressing these problems?. ” he questioned.
Efforts by our correspondent to reach the State Commissioner of information and re-orientation, Hon. Zainab Usman Jalingo or Hon. Emmanuel Bello, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on media failed as both of them refused to pick all calls put across to them.
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