- The state government has been tight-lipped about his whereabouts which has fuelled concerns among stakeholders in and outside the state.
The Government of Taraba State has opened up the on the whereabouts of Deputy Governor, Aminu Alkali, and why he has conspicuously stayed away from the public since last year.
It would be recalled that Alkali has been away since November 2024. The state government has been tight-lipped about his whereabouts which has fuelled concerns among stakeholders in and outside the state.
However, the State Commissioner for Information and Reorientation, Zainab Usman, cleared the air on Alkali whereabouts on Tuesday.
According to her, the politician has been away for medical reasons but will resume duty soon.
Addressing journalists after the Taraba Executive Council Meeting on Monday, Usman disclosed that the deputy governor was hit by a stroke.
Zainab said the stroke affected the deputy governor’s ability to speak but said Alkali is recuperating and intends to resume soon.
She said, ”Sometimes around November last year, his excellency had an ailment that necessitated his movement to Abuja for treatment.
“From Abuja, he was later moved to Cairo, Egypt for further checks and the commissioner of health was delegated to check on his health status.
“Taraba residents need to sympathize with the executive council, his excellency, and the deputy governor as per his health condition.
“Ailment is something that is general and can happen to anyone. Before you approach a court of law to ascertain the health, fitness, or otherwise of any principal officer in the state, the human nature of a particular person should be taken into consideration first.”
”His Excellency is a human being even before becoming the deputy governor of Taraba State. The person that went to the court is also human and can fall sick too. He is recuperating very well and we are expecting him back soon to resume his duty,” she told the gathering.
When asked about the possibility of impeaching the deputy governor after 90 days away from the state, the commissioner said the law does not dictate that.
“Let me come in as a lawyer now. From my background, this principle of 90 days applies only to a sitting governor of a state, not the deputy.
“His determination or eligibility to be in the office is all determined by the governor,” the commissioner said.
Meanwhile, the Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Bordiya Buma who visited the ailing deputy governor in Egypt, said he is recuperating well.
”He had a stroke, which affected a part of his body, weakness in one part of the body. His ability to talk was affected but glory be to God the treatment is still ongoing and we are happy with the current treatment he is receiving,” Bordiya said.
”We are hoping that very soon, we will welcome him back to the state to continue his normal activities,” he added.
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