The Taraba State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has resolved to boycott all activities of the Taraba State Government, citing what it describes as continued neglect and exclusion by the administration of Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas.
In a resolution reached at an emergency congress held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the Chapel’s office in Jalingo, members condemned the state government’s refusal to accredit journalists from the Chapel for coverage of the Taraba State Investment Summit (TARAVEST) and the official visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the state, both scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
The Congress also passed a vote of no confidence in the State Commissioner for Information and Re-orientation, Barr. Zainab Usman Jalingo, over what it described as her failure to foster a conducive environment for cordial government-media relations.
Despite the boycott, the Chapel reaffirmed its commitment to upholding its constitutional responsibility to the people of Taraba State, pledging to continue its watchdog role with fairness and without fear or favour.
Members expressed concern over what they termed deliberate efforts to sideline independent media coverage, particularly at the Government House in Jalingo. According to the Chapel, only members of the Government House Press Crew and selected television stations have been granted access to cover executive functions, while correspondents from independent media houses are routinely denied entry.
The situation, the Chapel noted, appears linked to critical reportage by its members on the performance of Governor Kefas, including allegations of unfulfilled campaign promises and a growing debt profile, which analysts estimate to have reached over N750 billion in less than two years—reportedly the highest in the state’s history.
President Bola Tinubu’s visit is expected to include the recommissioning of several key projects, such as the New Market (now renamed “Palliative Market” by Governor Kefas), originally constructed by former Governor Jolly Tavoro Nyame; the Danbaba Suntai Airport and the School of Nursing and Midwifery, both initiated and completed by late Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai; and the Taraba Government House, built by the state’s first military administrator, Col. Yohanna Afolahan, and now renamed “TY Danjuma House.”
The Chapel criticized the current administration for attempting to take credit for these legacy projects, claiming that no new project has been initiated and completed by Governor Kefas since taking office in 2023.
