Former Senator, Emmanuel Bwacha, has officially declared his intention to contest the Taraba State governorship election in 2027 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), pledging to restore transparency, fairness, and hope in governance.
In a statement of declaration issued on Thursday, Bwacha said his decision to run again was driven by deepening hardship in the state and repeated calls from the people of the state following wide consultations. The former Senate Deputy Minority Leader was the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 election.
“At Ashuku, during the burial of my sister, Alice, I made it clear: I would not contest again if the dividends of democracy were truly reaching the people of Taraba. Sadly, that is not the case. The hardship has deepened. The suffering has increased,” Bwacha said.
He lamented what he described as political, social, and moral degradation in the state, warning that silence in the face of such realities amounts to complicity. “As Edmund Burke once said, ‘Those who remain silent in the face of evil are not victims but accomplices,” he stated.
Bwacha accused the current administration of lacking transparency, disregarding the rule of law, and engaging in fiscal irresponsibility. He cited failing infrastructure, an “overburdened and underfunded” education system, excessive borrowing without accountability, and governance that “prioritizes luxury over service.”
According to him, the state’s debt profile has risen from about N237 billion in 2023 to over N1 trillion today, raising concerns about prudence and leadership capacity.
He contrasted the present situation with the era of late Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai before October 2012, which he said placed Taraba “on a clear path of progress.” He noted that while the state declined amid political instability between 2013 and 2015, “even then, the situation was not as severe as what we face today.”
“Today, governance has drifted away from the people. Public service has been replaced with self-serving interests. Poverty has worsened. Infrastructure has decayed. Insecurity has spread across our communities. Agriculture has weakened. Scandals have become frequent. This is not the Taraba we deserve,” he declared.
Bwacha said his administration would pursue “a clear break from the present system” with a focus on structural development rather than “cosmetic projects.” He outlined priorities across key sectors:
On education, he pledged to invest in teacher training, improve staff welfare, ensure proper funding, and partner with institutions and technology hubs to modernize learning. In agriculture, he promised to unlock the state’s potential by building value chains, connecting farmers to markets, and making the sector attractive to youth and women.
He said the economy would benefit from the responsible harnessing of mineral resources “for the benefit of all, not just a privileged few.” On healthcare, he committed to expanding access through functional community health centres, creating opportunities for medical professionals, and strengthening delivery systems. For the digital economy, he plans to invest in connectivity and innovation, partner with telecom providers to expand internet access, and create opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
In youth and sports, he intends to build sporting hubs, recreational centres, and parks to nurture talent and promote unity. He also promised to build and connect communities through roads and rural-urban linkages, ensuring development serves the people. In the civil service, he vowed to carry out reforms that guarantee fair compensation, transparency, and dignity while eliminating inefficiencies.
“Our vision is simple: to restore Taraba to a place where every citizen feels a sense of belonging. A state where leadership serves the people, and the people trust their leaders,” Bwacha said.
The former Senate Deputy Minority Leader pledged to welcome accountability, encourage constructive criticism, and reject divisive politics. “Let us not seek ethnic answers or religious answers. Let us seek the right answers. Our future must not be shaped by division, but by shared responsibility,” he said, quoting Abraham Lincoln: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
Bwacha concluded by calling on all the people of the state to join his movement. “This is more than a political journey. It is a moral responsibility. Together, we will rebuild trust, restore dignity, and create a future defined by justice, prosperity, and hope.”
The declaration sets the stage for what is expected to be a keenly contested race for the Taraba Government House in 2027, with Bwacha seeking to unseat incumbent Governor Agbu Kefas.
