Taraba State governor, Agbu Kefas has appointed two renowned journalists and members of the correspondent Chapel of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state as aides.
The Governor has also bowed to pressure by removing the name of former chairman of Takum local government area, Hon Shiban Tikari who is wanted by the police from the recent list of his aides which was announced on June 20, 2024.
The newly appointed journalists include Justin Tyopuusu of PUNCH Newspaper and Janet Audu of Daily Independent who both made the list of the 61 names released on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Gibon Kataps.
Earlier, the appointment of Tikari had sparked controversy over his alleged indictment in the murder of former member representing Takum 1 in the Taraba State House of Assembly, late Hosea Ibi, by a State High Court.
“We are now relieved as the name of Hon. Shiban Tikari has been removed from the list of the approved aides, the governor has proven that he is a listening leader who is ready to work with the masses. We were wondering what would happened if police end up arresting his aide under his nose, that would cost the reputation of his administration,” a family member of Hosea who refused to mention his name said.
The list, said to be the Patch (1) B which contained 61 names followed an earlier list of 134 other aides announced as aides on June 20, 2024 thereby putting the number of freshly named aides to the governor 194 in a space of less than a week.
A statement by the SSG stated that the appointees include “special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, community special assistants, boards, commissions and agencies of Taraba State government Part (1) B.”
