Wukari, the hometown of Taraba State Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas, erupted in tension as angry youths tore down billboards of the governor and the state Commissioner for Finance, Sarah Enoch Adi, accusing her of corruption and undermining the administration’s performance.
The protesters, in their numbers, chanted against poor governance and alleged corrupt leadership, saying the Kefas administration had alienated itself from the people by appointing “unpopular commissioners and aides” without electoral stakes in the state.
“This singular act of the governor has distanced government from the people and deepened distrust in his administration,” one aggrieved youth said.
Indigenes, including some in the diaspora, lamented that Wukari had deteriorated under Kefas. “Our roads are dilapidated, insecurity is worsening daily, and life is harder with unfulfilled promises, even in his third year,” one resident complained.
The destruction of the billboards has been widely interpreted as a symbol of growing grassroots frustration. A social affairs analyst, Rikwense Muri, warned that ignoring the grievances could mirror the bitter rivalries that consumed Taraba politicians in 2023.
“Leadership grows stronger when it listens. Anger and destruction won’t build Taraba. The governor must engage with his people, and citizens must express dissent with restraint,” Muri advised.
The incident signals mounting discontent in Wukari and raises concerns over whether Governor Kefas can retain the support base that helped propel him into office in 2023.
