Strong political undercurrents are currently rocking the Taraba State Government, as the State House of Assembly has initiated discreet moves to impeach the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, over his prolonged absence from office due to illness.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that Alkali has been unable to discharge his constitutional duties for the past nine months, raising serious concerns among lawmakers and top government officials about a leadership vacuum at such a strategic level.
Credible sources within the Assembly confirmed on Tuesday that legislators are rallying support for the current Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Hamman Adama, as the likely replacement for the ailing Deputy Governor.
Although no official impeachment motion has been tabled on the floor of the Assembly, insiders revealed that consultations are ongoing to trigger the constitutional process that would lead to Alkali’s removal.
A senior Assembly official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, told PLATFORM TIMES: “The Deputy Governor has been bedridden for months. The state cannot continue to operate with a vacuum in such a critical office. We are working to restore full functionality to the executive.”
However, the state government has denied the reported succession plot. In a swift reaction, the Special Adviser to Governor Agbu Kefas on Media and Digital Communications, Emmanuel Bello, dismissed the rumour as “baseless speculation.”
“No one has been nominated to take over from the Deputy Governor. People should disregard such fake news,” Bello stated.
As of the time of filing this report, the Deputy Governor’s office has not issued any official statement regarding his health status or the alleged move to unseat him. But a senior aide within the office, who also spoke under condition of anonymity, admitted that there are ongoing discussions at high levels about relieving Alkali of his duties due to his continued absence.
The development has sparked renewed debate about leadership accountability and the constitutional provision for succession in cases of incapacitation of elected officials.
If the impeachment moves succeed, it will mark a significant shift in the political dynamics of Taraba State under Governor Kefas’ administration.
The story continues to develop.
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