Apprehension has gripped members of the Taraba State Executive Council following widespread rumors of an imminent cabinet reshuffle by Governor Agbu Kefas.

Sources within the government revealed that speculations of a shake-up have been rife since the beginning of the year with increased pressure on commissioners to deliver results.

Mr. Tanko Adi, a resident of Jalingo, told our correspondent that many Commissioners have lost a sense of direction with no vision to deliver on the Moving Forward train of the administration.

“The zeal with which the administration started is dying down. Most of the commissioners are not working. Go to the ministries and see what is happening. Once the governor is out of town most of the Commissioners don’t report to work in their offices.

“These set of Commissioners have lost touch with the people and the reality is that if they are allowed to stay till 2027, it will be bad for the governor. Instead of going out to attract investment and benefits to the state, most of the commissioners are busy waiting for the governor to approve memos for them, sometimes for projects that are of no benefit to the people.”


A commissioner confided that fear of being dropped is palpable among his colleagues.

“Everyone is on edge. We are aware of the governor’s resolve to inject fresh energy into his administration but nobody knows who will be affected,” he said.

The rumoured reshuffle has also sparked anxiety among political stakeholders, who are lobbying for inclusion of their loyalists in the cabinet.

“This is the time to position ourselves strategically. We can’t go into the 2027 elections with this kind of cabinet.

“The governor has not confirmed when he will reshuffle his cabinet, but late last year, he told Commissioners during the executive council meeting that anybody who did not perform will be dropped and made a special adviser while others will be placed ahead of them. He even warned those fighting among their colleagues to desist or face removal,” a senior party official said.

The recent Facebook post by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Digital Communications, Emmanuel Bello, who jokingly said he will soon reshuffle his kitchen cabinet, arrange the plates and spoons further fueled speculations of imminent cabinet rejig.


Some political analysts who spoke believe the move is aimed at consolidating the administration’s achievements and addressing perceived lapses in governance.

“The governor’s agenda for transformation demands efficiency. A cabinet reshuffle might be inevitable,” said Dr. Bala Sarkinyara in a WhatsApp message to journalists.