Taraba DailyGraph

Kefas rejects v!olence for 2027 re-election bid

Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, says he will not support violence or bl00dshed in pursuit of a second term, stressing that the people will decide his political future.

Speaking in Lagos with editors publishedby Punch, Kefas said he would accept defeat if voters are dissatisfied, adding that he prefers to step down rather than risk loss of lives.

He noted that his re-election decision would be guided by public feedback, while reaffirming his focus on leaving a meaningful legacy in office.

Taraba DailyGraph

Namnai Bridge Today

The temporary crossing at Namnai Bridge has been overtaken by floodwaters, forcing commuters to abandon vehicles and trek through water.

Jalingo submerged despite Taraba’s ₦2bn ecological fund — Daily Trust

Daily Trust

Parts of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, were submerged on Saturday following hours of heavy rainfall, despite the state receiving over ₦2.2 billion in ecological funds in 2025.

According to Daily Trust, the rainfall, which began around 2:30 a.m. and lasted until about 11:30 a.m., led to flooding that affected several homes, shops, schools, and the Jalingo Main Market.

Low-lying areas including Mile Six, Mafindi, and Mayogwai were worst hit, as residents struggled to salvage their belongings amid rising water levels. Movement along the Jalingo–Wukari road was also disrupted after a temporary bridge near the collapsed Namnai Bridge gave way, leaving many travellers stranded.

Some residents blamed the situation on blocked drainage systems and poor waste disposal practices.

Data from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation indicates that Taraba State received ₦2,218,778,435.40 as ecological fund between January and December 2025, while Jalingo Local Government Area got ₦84,902,115.22 within the same period.

Nationwide, over ₦109.5 billion was disbursed from the Ecological Fund between July 2023 and December 2025, yet many communities remain vulnerable to flooding.

Earlier, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, warned that more than 14,000 communities across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory face a high risk of flooding between April and November 2026.

The Ecological Fund, established in 1981, is meant to address environmental challenges such as flooding, erosion, and desertification. However, the latest incident in Jalingo has raised fresh concerns about the effectiveness of these interventions.

Daily Trust

Governor Agbu Kefas on Saturday attended a thanksgiving mass in Makurdi, Benue State, in honour of late Mrs. Virginia Chima Gyoh, mother-in-law to Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede.
Mrs. Gyoh (1937–2026) was remembered for her strong Christian faith and service to her community, as dignitaries gathered to pay tribute and support the bereaved family.