More than two years after taking office, Taraba State Deputy Governor Alhaji Aminu Alkali continues to operate without a single appointed aide, a development that has raised eyebrows among political observers and insiders within the state government.
While Governor Agbu Kefas’s office has been fully staffed with advisers, personal assistants, and media handlers, Alkali’s office remains notably empty, lacking even a Chief Press Secretary to manage communications with journalists and the public.
Sources within Government House in Jalingo told Daily Post that the deputy governor’s capacity to function effectively has been “severely limited” by the absence of support staff.
“I believe the deputy governor’s current health condition could have been better managed if he had the necessary aides,” one senior official stated. “It’s shocking that more than two years into his tenure, he doesn’t even have a press secretary to handle media matters.”
The source characterized the situation as “administratively abnormal” and called on the governor to intervene to restore proper functioning to the deputy governor’s office.
Investigations revealed that Alhaji Alkali had previously submitted a list of proposed aides and secured approval for their appointments, but the process has reportedly been blocked by influential figures within the administration.
According to multiple insiders, these political actors have refused to release appointment letters, effectively stalling the staffing process for undisclosed reasons.
“This is no longer just a bureaucratic delay; it’s becoming a matter of human dignity and administrative efficiency,” another government source said. “Governor Kefas needs to urgently step in and allow the deputy governor to officially name and work with his team. It will help reduce the pressure on him and restore functionality to his office.”
The extended staffing deadlock has fueled speculation about internal power struggles within the Taraba State Government, with some observers suggesting the situation reflects deeper political tensions between the governor’s camp and the deputy’s supporters.
Critics have urged Governor Kefas to address the matter promptly, arguing that the deputy governor requires institutional support to fulfill his constitutional responsibilities.
“The governor must act quickly to resolve this matter,” said a former commissioner familiar with the situation. “The deputy governor’s office is an integral part of governance, not a ceremonial appendage.”
As of the time of filing this report, there had been no official response from the governor’s office regarding the allegations or explanations for the continued delay in appointing aides to the deputy governor.
The situation has raised questions about administrative protocols and the relationship between the state’s two top executive officers, with calls mounting for transparency and swift resolution of the impasse.
