The Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, has returned to the state capital, Jalingo, after being away from public view for over eight months.
Alkali, who had not been seen in any official capacity since late last year, arrived Jalingo on Tuesday via Yalo Airport. He was reportedly flown in from Abuja and was immediately driven to his official residence at the Government House in a convoy of four vehicles.
A short video clip showing the deputy governor stepping out of the airport has since gone viral on social media, sparking fresh public interest in his long absence and sudden return.
Alkali’s long absence from public functions had raised serious concerns among residents, political observers, and civil society groups in Taraba State. There were widespread rumours that the deputy governor was battling an undisclosed illness, although neither the government nor his aides officially addressed the matter.
For months, he was neither seen at State Executive Council meetings nor any other public event, leading to speculations that he had either resigned quietly or was unable to continue in his role due to health reasons.
The state government also remained silent, offering no formal explanation for his prolonged absence from office.
News of Alkali’s return has drawn mixed reactions from the people of Taraba. While some expressed relief that the deputy governor is back, others criticised the state’s lack of transparency regarding his absence.
A resident of Jalingo, Mr. Peter Danladi, said, “We’re happy he’s back, but the government should have told us what was going on. For someone elected into office, disappearing for eight months without a word is not fair to the people.”
As of the time of filing this report, neither the deputy governor nor the state government has issued any statement about his return or the reasons for his absence.
Attempts by journalists to get comments from his media aides or the Governor’s office were unsuccessful. Some government sources, however, claimed that the deputy governor had been receiving medical treatment outside the state and is now fit to resume duties.
One official, who spoke anonymously, said, “What matters now is that he is back. The government is intact, and all hands are on deck to continue delivering on the administration’s promises.”
Alhaji Aminu Alkali is serving as the deputy to Governor Agbu Kefas of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was sworn in on May 29, 2023, following the party’s victory in the 2023 general elections.
A quiet political figure, Alkali was known for staying behind the scenes even before his disappearance. However, his prolonged absence had created a noticeable vacuum in the state’s leadership structure, especially at a time when the government is expected to roll out major developmental projects.
Some political commentators believe that his return may now help restore balance within the administration and reduce internal tensions.
Under the Nigerian Constitution, state governors and their deputies are elected as a joint ticket and are expected to function together in governance. While the constitution does not set a specific limit on how long a deputy governor can be absent, long unexplained absences without formal medical leave or communication can raise questions about the functionality of government.
There had been quiet debates among legal experts and political stakeholders in Taraba about whether the State House of Assembly should have stepped in to investigate the situation, but no official action was taken during the period of his absence.
With his return to Jalingo, attention is now shifting to whether Alkali will resume full duties as deputy governor or maintain a low profile. Political watchers will also be keen to see how the administration manages the fallout from months of silence and speculation.
For now, many Tarabans are hoping that the deputy governor’s reappearance marks a new phase of political stability in the state.
As one resident put it, “We don’t care about the politics. We just want our leaders to be present, active, and accountable.”
