By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
JALINGO (PRECISE POST) – The campaign organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 Taraba State governorship election, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, has accused Governor Agbu Kefas of allegedly using state institutions to intimidate, harass and suppress political opponents following the senator’s invitation and subsequent detention.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Jalingo by the Special Assistant on Media to Senator Bwacha, Mr. Joshua Yohanna Nafinji.
According to the statement, the development over the past 24 hours has reinforced growing concerns that government institutions are being deployed against perceived political rivals in the state.
While affirming the campaign’s respect for the constitutional mandate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other law enforcement agencies, Nafinji alleged that the circumstances surrounding Bwacha’s invitation were politically motivated and part of a broader campaign to persecute formidable opposition figures in Taraba.
The campaign cited what it described as previous incidents involving former Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, former Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, and Hon. Bello Bodejo, claiming they were subjected to politically motivated actions that affected their political ambitions.
It also referenced the disappearance of Hon. Muktar Kawujo ahead of the PDP primaries, noting that the incident generated widespread public concern and allegations of political interference.
According to the statement, the cumulative effect of these incidents has fuelled public perception that state institutions are being used for partisan purposes.
The organisation expressed concern over what it described as a pattern of intimidation, harassment, unlawful detention and persecution of perceived political opponents, warning that such actions could undermine democracy, the rule of law and citizens’ constitutional rights.
It maintained that rather than weakening Senator Bwacha politically, the recent development had attracted widespread sympathy and support from within and outside Taraba State.
The campaign called on the Taraba State Government to promote democratic values by ensuring fairness, transparency, tolerance and healthy political competition, rather than actions capable of creating the impression that public institutions are being deployed for political advantage.
It also urged civil society organisations, democratic institutions, the media and Nigerians to remain vigilant and resist any actions capable of undermining democratic principles.
Reaffirming the senator’s commitment to the rule of law, the statement said Bwacha remains steadfast in his pursuit of justice, good governance and the democratic aspirations of the people of Taraba State despite what it described as attempts to intimidate him.
Governor Agbu Kefas and the Taraba State Government had not responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report. Likewise, the EFCC had not issued any official statement on the claims contained in the campaign’s statement.
