APC Questions Governor's Extravagant Dinner for Daughter's Call to Bar Celebration

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State has criticized Governor Agbu Kefas for hosting an extravagant graduation party in celebration of his daughter's call to the Nigerian Bar. The opposition party deems this party as insensitive, particularly given the prevailing issues of insecurity and economic hardship in the state.

Keziah Kefas, the governor's daughter, recently graduated from the Nigerian Law School in Abuja and was called to the Bar. To mark the occasion, Governor Kefas hosted a dinner in Abuja on Thursday, attended by government officials, political associates, and well-wishers, including members of the state executive council, legislators, and prominent politicians from Taraba.

Ibrahim El-Sudi, the Chairman of the APC in the state, expressed his concern, stating that the governor's decision to use the state's limited resources for a lavish celebration, at a time when Taraba State was grieving the loss of lives in a recent boat mishap in Karim Lamido, is inappropriate. He emphasized that the state has been grappling with kidnappings and economic challenges.

El-Sudi criticized the governor for not demonstrating a sound understanding of governance and challenged him to disclose the allocation and utilization of state and local government funds over the past five months. He accused Governor Kefas of making promises without taking substantial action and of excessive globe-trotting.

In response to the APC's allegations, Emmanuel Bello, the Special Adviser to Governor Kefas on Media and Digital Communication, defended the governor's actions. He pointed out that the governor had promptly responded to the boat mishap incident by sending condolences and a high-powered delegation to console the victims' families. Governor Kefas also established a committee to investigate the incident's causes and prevent future recurrences.

Bello argued that it was not insensitive for the governor to honor his daughter, and hosting the event in Abuja was justified as it allowed Taraba indigenes residing there to participate. He emphasized that in the globalized world, location is less critical, and many of the daughter's friends and well-wishers are based in Abuja.