By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
JALINGO — Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, a governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has alleged that unknown individuals sent to assassinate him have been apprehended, with 15 suspects now in custody and facing the full rigour of the law.
The Senator made the revelation while addressing a charged crowd of supporters at a political rally where he formally declared his intention to contest for the Taraba State governorship seat in the 2027 elections.
According to Bwacha, his rising political profile has made him a target for opponents desperate to prevent him from standing.
“If you recall, I was on the ballot in 2023. But today, we must put the past behind us and focus on the future before us,” he told the gathering.
He reminded supporters of a promise he made at Ashuku during the burial of his 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. This decision is not driven by ambition, but by the urgent reality of our times.”
The Senator painted a grim picture of the state, arguing that Tarabans have endured political, social, and moral degradation, and that trust in governance has been eroded.
“To remain silent in the face of this is dangerous. Silence, in times like this, is not neutrality — it is complicity. As Edmund Burke once said, ‘Those who remain silent in the face of evil are not victims but accomplices,’” Bwacha declared.
He accused the current administration of lacking transparency, disregarding the rule of law, and practising fiscal irresponsibility. “We see failing infrastructure, an overburdened and underfunded education system, excessive borrowing without accountability, and governance that prioritises luxury over service.”
The Senator disclosed that Taraba’s debt profile has risen alarmingly from approximately 237 billion naira in 2023 to over one trillion naira. “This raises serious concerns about prudence, accountability, and leadership capacity,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with the past, Bwacha recalled: “Before October 2012, under the leadership of the late Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, Taraba was on a clear path of progress. After the unfortunate plane crash, the state began to decline.”
He vowed to lead Taraba into what he called “a new era of transparency, unity, and real progress”, promising to invest in teacher training, improve staff welfare, modernise learning through technology hubs, build agricultural value chains, harness mineral resources for the benefit of all, expand healthcare access, and connect communities with roads and digital infrastructure.
“We will carry out reforms that ensure fair compensation, transparency, and dignity. We will eliminate inefficiencies and restore pride in public service,” he said.
Calling for unity, Bwacha urged the people not to seek “ethnic answers or religious answers, but rather the right answers”, quoting Abraham Lincoln: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
“We must stand together — as one Taraba, with one purpose, and one destiny. Yes, the road ahead will not be easy. But with courage, transparency, and inclusiveness, we will overcome. This is more than a political journey. It is a moral responsibility.”
The Senator called on Tarabans to join him to rebuild trust, restore dignity, and create a future defined by justice, prosperity, and hope.
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