From Celestine Ihejirika, Jalingo
The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, has alleged that a recent loan of $268 million reportedly obtained by Governor Agbu Kefas Administration from the ECOWAS BANK for Investment and Development (EBID) was nowhere to be found.
But Taraba State Government has dismissed the claim by Senator Bwacha, insisting that the funds are yet to be disbursed.
However, the PDP governorship candidate, who stated this in Zing Local Government Council before a large crowd while flagging off his Governorship Campaign, challenged Governor Kefas’ administration to explain the alleged missing location of the money with evidence of detailed utilization.
According to Sen. Bwacha, the state government and EBID signed three financing agreements in June, 2026 amounting to $268 Million to support projects expected to contribute to industrialization, agricultural production and electricity generation.
He urged that the existence of financing agreements was not enough to establish that the proposed project will deliver the anticipated economic benefits.
The PDP Governorship hopeful maintained that performance of any administration should be assessed by its impact on ordinary citizens rather than announcement of projects.
In his message, the PDP Governorship flag bearer and the three time Senator encouraged Taraba to vote competent over religion, ethnic or tribe in the coming 2027 general election saying “change is possible, progress is possible and a more prosperous Taraba is possible. And that is the future we are here to build together”, he stated.
But in a shift reaction, the campaign council of Gov. Agbu Kefas through its director of media and strategic communication, Hon. Emmanuel Bello has rejected Sen. Bwacha’s allegation, describing the claim by the opposition candidate as misleading and accused him of creating public anxiety without establishing whether the funds have been released.
It maintained that, signing the agreements did not automatically translate into the release of funds, while giving insight that disbursement remain subject for applicable conditions, precedent, regulatory processes and statutory approvals
It challenged him to present verifiable evidence to the appropriate authority and the public if he had information regarding funds disbursement.
