escalating worry mounts over prolonged absence of Taraba's Deputy Governor

The prolonged disappearance of Taraba State's Deputy Governor, Aminu Alkali, from public engagements, despite reports of his return from a four-month medical trip, has triggered a wave of concern over transparency and accountability in the state's governance.

Alkali, who allegedly touch down in the state capital, Jalingo, last week, has managed to maintain a low profile, with a noticeable enhancement of security surrounding his residence and no official announcement regarding his health status or resumption of duty.

In an interview with Daily Trust yesterday, the Commissioner for Information, Emmanuel Bello, verified that the deputy governor had arrived in the state but downplayed the anxiety escalating from his prolonged absence from public functions.

"The deputy governor wasn't feeling too well. But he's back in the state. His roles and responsibilities are outlined in the constitution. Once those duties become imminent, he'll fulfill them," Bello explained. When inquired about why Alkali has yet to show up in public or speak to the press, Bello answered vaguely, "He will do that."

Sources claimed that Alkali was initially hospitalized at the National Hospital in Abuja before being transported to Egypt for further treatment. However, ever since his clandestine return to Jalingo, access to the deputy governor has been strictly limited, even to journalists and staff positioned in his office.

Only the permanent secretary within his office and a selected band of top officials have reportedly been granted access, while visits from some deputy governors from other states were postponed, sources further mentioned.

One senior government official, who asked for anonymity, denied allegations of Alkali's deteriorating health, insisting: "He's just returned from an extended hospital stay and needs rest. That's why access to him is restricted, even for journalists. Take my word for it - the rumors about his condition are fabricated. He's on the mend."

Despite such reassurances, the lack of an official statement or public appearance has kept rumors and concern thriving across the state.

A Familiar Scenario in Taraba Politics

Critics have drawn parallels between Alkali's predicament and previous occurrences involved senior Taraba officials whose medical conditions were cloaked in secrecy.

Back in 2012, then-Governor Danbaba Suntai survived a plane crash and spent almost a year recuperating abroad. His return to Nigeria in 2013 generated a stir, as he avoided public appearances and was seen being physically assisted by aides. The government's refusal to divulge his condition provoked disagreement within the state and weeks of political chaos. Suntai never fully recovered and passed away in 2017.

In 2019, former Governor Darius Ishaku returned from a holiday but remained absent from public view for weeks, missing official events and triggering speculation about his health. His aides denied any health-related concerns, claiming he was taking a break and working behind the scenes.

These incidents have contributed to a broader culture surrounding the health status of public officials in Taraba State, shrouded in secrecy and leaving citizens in the dark, raising questions about public accountability in a democracy.

As of press time, attempts to reach Timothy Kataps, the Secretary to the State Government, for an official update on Alkali's condition were unsuccessful.

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The Nigerian Army, deploying in Taraba, has apprehended four suspected terrorists, further scrutinizing the region's security status.
In a similar healthcare-related development, the Army has recently rescued six individuals after preventing a kidnapping incident in Taraba, underscoring the vulnerability of citizens in general-news scenarios.
Politics and health-and-wellness continue to intertwine in Nigeria, as headlines announce the return of Taraba Deputy Governor, Aminu Alkali, from months of medical leave, yet avoiding media interactions or public events, thus fueling health-related concerns.
In a peculiar instance, the Press Officer of the Nigerian Police force in Taraba has expressed his absence from office for health reasons, calling for greater sensitivity towards mental health issues in science and political discourse.
As speculation mounts over the status of the Taraba Deputy Governor and his prolonged separation from public engagements, attention shifts towards demanding transparency and accountability in government, not only in Nigeria but globally, as the nation moves towards improved healthcare-and-wellness and decision-making protocols.