By Yusuf Salihu Sansani, Jalingo
Former Senator Emmanuel Bwacha has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State following his unanimous affirmation by party delegates from the 16 local government areas of the state.
The affirmation exercise took place on Monday at the Shield Hotel in Jalingo under the supervision of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Declaring the result, Chairman of the PDP Electoral Committee for Taraba State, Barrister M.A. Danladi, said the emergence of Senator Bwacha as the party’s governorship candidate complied with Section 50 of the party’s guidelines and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
Danladi stated that the committee had been duly empowered to forward Bwacha’s name to the PDP National Secretariat as the party’s sole governorship candidate for the state.
Speaking shortly after his affirmation, Senator Bwacha expressed gratitude to party delegates, stakeholders, and supporters for the confidence reposed in him, while expressing optimism about the party’s chances in the forthcoming governorship election.
He said the prevailing socio-economic challenges facing Taraba State had heightened the need for purposeful leadership and intervention.
According to him, many residents of the state were experiencing hardship, poverty, and hunger, adding that the situation had created widespread demand for change.
Bwacha maintained that he would not have joined the governorship race if governance and infrastructural development in the state had met public expectations.
He pledged to provide responsible leadership and improve development indices across critical sectors if elected governor.
“I stand ready to serve and provide the leadership needed to reposition Taraba State. The resources of the state must work for the benefit of the people,” he said.
The PDP candidate also criticised what he described as poor management of state resources and rising debt levels, insisting that public funds should be channelled toward infrastructure, economic growth, and social development.
He further promised to prioritise indigenous contractors in the award of government projects as part of efforts to stimulate the local economy and reduce poverty among residents.
According to Bwacha, empowering local businesses and professionals would contribute significantly to wealth creation and economic inclusion in the state.
In his remarks, Taraba State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Abba Sale, called on party members and residents of the state to unite behind the party’s candidate ahead of the election.
He assured stakeholders that the PDP would continue to promote inclusiveness and participatory governance if returned to power in the state.
