The Taraba State House of Assembly has refuted claims made by the media that it accepted a bribe of N1.5 billion from Governor Agbu Kefas in exchange for approving a N350 billion bond request. The assembly members clarified that they only received assistance from the governor.
During a press conference held on Friday, House spokesperson Mr. Nelson Len addressed recent allegations, characterizing them as not only highly improbable but entirely unfounded. He referred to these claims as a mere distraction. Mr. Len reaffirmed that the assembly members are committed. We are working closely with the state’s executive branch to advance important development projects across the state.
Len announced that the House has approved the bond request following a comprehensive review, determining that it benefits the state. The chairman of the House information committee emphasized that the governor should not have to offer incentives to House members to perform their duties, as they were elected to do so. He also noted that the governor has already provided the needed support to the House, helping them address the needs of their communities, even Constituency Project Allowances for members.
“Our efforts in our constituencies cannot solely be linked to Constituency Projects; we can confidently say that the governor has been supportive in his own way, and we should reciprocate by extending our full support for the advancement of our state. “When people claim that the House functions merely as a rubber-stamp Assembly, I find it amusing. We were not elected to oppose the executive branch; rather, we were chosen to collaborate with the executive to deliver the benefits of democracy to the people.”
Loan approval does not necessarily mean you will have instant access to a loan. To ensure the disbursement of the full amount, it is essential that specific conditions are met. This suggests that the perception of the government’s accumulating significant debt may not reflect the complete situation. Recently, the House of Representatives permitted the governor to issue a bond valued at ₦350 billion. However, some community members have alleged that the governor provided ₦1.5 billion in kickbacks to secure the House’s backing for this initiative.
