Agbu Kefas, the Governor of Taraba State, has appointed Hon. Hamma Adama, who serves as the Deputy Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly and represents the Bali II constituency, as the new Deputy Governor.
This decision follows the prolonged absence of the former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, who has been receiving medical treatment overseas since November 2024 due to a stroke.
Alkali’s health predicament has led to public concerns about transparency and governance. The state government previously clarified that his absence is due to medical reasons and reassured the public that he is recovering well, with an expectation of returning to his duties shortly.
Zainab Usman, the Commissioner for Information in Taraba State, highlighted that Alkali’s health is on the mend, stating, “He is recovering remarkably well, and we anticipate his return to work soon.”
Commissioner for Health, Bordiya Buma, who visited Alkali in Egypt, confirmed that the Deputy Governor is responding well to treatment, remarking, “He suffered a stroke that impacted part of his body, resulting in some weakness. His speech was also affected, but thankfully, the treatment is ongoing, and we are pleased with the recovery he is making.”
Adama’s experience in the legislature is expected to provide stability within the state government. Nevertheless, the lack of communication from the government regarding Alkali’s condition continues to fuel speculation about his possible return to office.
The government has maintained that Alkali’s absence does not necessitate his impeachment, citing the absence of legal stipulations regarding the length of time a Deputy Governor may be away from office due to health reasons.
