RESPONSE TO HON. DANJUMA SHIDDI’S OPEN LETTER: FACTS, NOT FICTION
Our attention has been drawn to the recent open letter by Hon. Danjuma Usman Shiddi, which is regrettably laden with financial inaccuracies and emotional rhetoric about alleged reckless borrowing and mismanagement under the administration of His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas.
Hon. Danjuma Usman Shiddi
Ordinarily, we would have ignored such political distractions. However, silence could be misinterpreted as consent. As young people concerned about the future of our dear state, we feel obliged to present the facts as they are clearly, responsibly, and truthfully.
1. *On the ₦17 Billion for School Items*
Hon. Shiddi’s question “Where is the ₦17 billion awarded to acquire uniforms and school items from China?” unfortunately reveals either a deliberate attempt to mislead the public or a complete misunderstanding of how public procurement works.
The ₦17 billion in question was not a lump sum given to any single contractor or transferred offshore. It represents the total cost of educational materials and infrastructure provided under the Free and Compulsory Education Policy launched in 2023.
These are the verifiable facts:
Recently during his state visit to Taraba, the Grenada Prime Minister flagged off the distribution of these educational materials at a public function in Jalingo. Today:
• Uniforms and instructional materials have already been distributed to pupils across all 16 LGAs.
• Over 61 model schools are under construction statewide using high technology (Hydra foam), 12 of them already completed and awaiting commissioning while rehabilitation continues in several existing schools. The administration of Governor Agbu Kefas is building infrastructure that will last the test of time, at least 50 years, not the type of school infrastructure that blow with the wind every season.
• The governor has also directed that funds be disbursed directly to school heads to ensure transparency and reduce leakages.
• Procurement of desks, roofing materials, and other learning infrastructure is ongoing.
These are not promises on paper, they are visible results. Only a visit to our public schools would confirm the transformation already underway.
2. *On the ₦206.78 Billion Bank Loan (August 2023)*
It is financially misleading to portray a legitimate development loan as reckless borrowing.
The ₦206.78 billion facility approved by the Taraba State House of Assembly in 2023 was a syndicated development loan targeted at revitalizing key sectors such as education, agriculture, security, health, infrastructure, and social welfare.
Governor Kefas met an almost empty treasury upon assumption of office and needed a financial bridge to stabilize governance and stimulate growth.
For clarity: approval does not equate to disbursement. Most of the figures quoted by Hon. Shiddi are approved ceilings, not actual funds accessed. The state government has drawn only a portion of the approved amount, guided by prudence and project readiness.
Breakdown of allocations as approved by the House:
• ₦50 billion-Education
• ₦30 billion each-Agriculture, Security, and Health
• ₦40 billion- Infrastructure
• ₦5 billion each-Judiciary, Microfinance, and the House of Assembly
• ₦2 billion each-Women Affairs, Digital Economy, and Waste Management
• ₦5 billion-Gratuity and pension enrolment for retirees. Today, backlog of pension and gratuity arrears are being paid from both and state and local government retirees.
Beyond figures, the impact is visible: over 750 tractors procured and distributed to farmers, fertilizer supplied to boost yield, dry-season farming supported, and significant improvements recorded in public infrastructure including the remodeling of the Taraba State House of Assembly Complex.
These are tangible results backed by clear repayment structures tied to FAAC, VAT, JAAC, and IGR inflows a responsible, well-managed approach to development financing.
3. *On the ₦350 Billion Bond and the $268.63 Million ECOWAS Facility*
It is important to restate that the ₦350 billion development bond has not yet been accessed. The process is still at the planning and advisory stage, awaiting clearance from the Debt Management Office (DMO) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Unlike commercial bank loans, bonds offer longer repayment periods and lower interest rates, reducing fiscal pressure on the state. Part of the bond proceeds will eventually refinance short-term bank loans while funding strategic long-term infrastructure projects.
_*Regarding the $268.63 million ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) facility, this is not a routine loan and the money is not coming in cash into the coffers of the state.*_
_*For pedestrian economists like Hon. Danji SS, it is imperative to explain that this is a project-financed investment aimed at boosting agriculture, renewable energy, and industrial growth in Taraba State. Danji SS should ordinarily have been proud that his State achieved this great feat when some countries under the regional body made efforts but failed to secure such a deal.*_
It is on record that this the first time a subnational government in Nigeria has secured such a facility, a clear indication of the credibility and vision of Governor Kefas’ administration.
The facility will fund:
• A 10,000-hectare rice farm and a state-branded rice mill,
• An industrial park for agro-processing and logistics, and
• A 50-megawatt solar power plant.
This is a self-sustaining investment, designed to repay itself through productivity. ECOWAS Bank only funds projects that have passed rigorous feasibility studies, risk assessments, and profitability evaluations.
4. *On the Alleged ₦1.2 Trillion Debt Profile*
Hon. Shiddi’s claim that Taraba State owes ₦1.2 trillion is entirely false and financially indefensible.
According to the Debt Management Office (DMO), Taraba’s actual debt profile stands at ₦84 billion, far below that of several neighbouring states like Adamawa, Gombe, and Bauchi.
Even in Hon. Shiddi’s own letter, he admitted that the state’s domestic debt reduced from ₦105.98 billion in 2022 to ₦86.96 billion under Governor Kefas, a clear sign of fiscal discipline.
This fact alone invalidates his exaggerated ₦1.2 trillion narrative. Borrowing under this administration is strategic, transparent, and development-driven, not reckless.
5. *On FAAC Receipts and Development Impact*
Yes, FAAC allocations have increased across Nigeria due to rising national revenues and exchange rate adjustments. What matters, however, is how those funds are utilized.
Governor Kefas has prioritized prudent spending and visible impact:
• Salaries and pensions are paid promptly.
• Pension arrears inherited from past governments are being cleared in phases.
• A Treasury Single Account (TSA) has been implemented to block leakages.
• Security infrastructure has been strengthened, with new patrol vehicles distributed across LGAs.
• Major public assets, including the Jalingo Airport Terminal, Government House, and Green House Project, abattoirs, School of Nursing, TY Danjuma House in Abuja, Wukari and Gembu have been rehabilitated.
• Road projects have been awarded and mobilised, including the Wukari–Chinkai, Nasarawa highway, which passes through Hon. Shiddi’s constituency.
These developments are real and measurable. The impact is not in rhetoric but in results.
6. *On Governance, Security, and Accountability*
The claim that the House of Assembly is “too supportive” of the Executive reflects a misunderstanding of modern governance. Constructive collaboration between the legislature and executive is not weakness; it is responsible democracy. Oversight continues, but without unnecessary antagonism.
Under this administration:
• The minimum wage has been implemented twice: ₦30,000 and ₦70,000 at full rate, not percentage implementation as obtained in other states.
• Security agencies have received sustained logistical and welfare support.
• Peace and stability have returned to communities, enabling farmers to return to their fields.
• The Internal Revenue Service has been restructured and digitalized to expand the state’s IGR base. These are measurable achievements, not political slogans.
*Conclusion*
Taraba State under Dr. Agbu Kefas is not borrowing to consume but borrowing to build; building schools, industries, energy solutions, and a sustainable economy.
Instead of spreading half-truths and alarmist figures, we encourage informed, patriotic engagement. Constructive criticism is welcome; misinformation helps no one.
Hon. Shiddi may live in Abuja, but he has relatives in Taraba who can confirm that the peace, infrastructure upgrades, and renewed confidence in governance are real. His refusal to acknowledge these gains betrays not courage but political bitterness.
On behalf of the youth of Taraba, we remain proud of the state’s steady progress under Governor Kefas, a leader focused on transparency, fiscal discipline, and inclusive development. The facts are clear. The projects are visible. The direction is right. The future is bright.
Signed:
Hon. Tijani Sale
Zonal Youth Leader, PDP, North East
Hon. Ado Zaki
State Youth Leader, PDP, Taraba State
Hon. Gara Nongha
Chairman, NYCN Taraba State & Chairman, Taraba State Youth Development Agency
