The Taraba state government weekend kicked against allegations that the debt profile of the state currently stands at N1.3 trillion.
The Commissioner for Finance, Sarah Adi, stated this in Jalingo while making clarification over the debt burden and hinted that the figure was inaccurate.
She noted that discussions about the state’s finances must distinguish between existing debt stock, approved credit facilities, outstanding balances and financing arrangements that are yet to be disbursed.
She added that the latest data from the Debt Management Office (DMO), shows that Taraba’s domestic debt stood at N85.51 billion as of December 31, 2025.
“The figure represented a reduction of about N2.45 billion from the N87.96 billion domestic debt recorded in DMO data available before Governor Agbu Kefas assumed office,” she stated.
She further clarified that the DMO publication released in March 2023 reflected Taraba’s debt position as of September 30, 2022, rather than its debt position at the time the report was published.
On external debt, she explained that the state’s obligations increased from about $46.47 million as of December 31, 2022, to approximately $48.04 million as of December 31, 2025.
She described the increase as relatively modest, while acknowledging the potential impact of foreign exchange fluctuations on external obligations.
She equally addressed the N206.78 billion commercial bank financing facility approved by the Taraba state House of Assembly in 2023.
Stop attacking Bode George, Turaki-led PDP faction tells Wike
By Adewale Ajayi
Lagos
The Lagos state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Kabiru Turaki (SAN), weekend, warned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),Nyesom Wike, to desist from attacking the personality of the former deputy national chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George.
The party’s reaction followed a statement issued by Wike’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, weekend in which the minister reportedly said he had no regret for preventing the former Chief Olabode George’s aspiration to become the national chairman of the party.
The party, in an open letter signed by its spokesperson, Prince Dr. Christopher Odianarewo, dismissed Wike’s claim, arguing that Chief George voluntarily stepped down his ambition in the interest of fairness, unity and stability within the party.
The Lagos PDP said: “You did not block Bode George from anything,” adding that George’s aspiration to lead the party at the national level was legitimate and pursued within the provisions of the PDP constitution.
The party said George demonstrated political maturity by stepping down when it became necessary to preserve party unity.
The party questioned Wike’s authority to determine the political aspirations of members, asking: “Who appointed you the owner of the PDP? And who gave you the authority to determine which legitimate aspiration of a party member should live or die?”
The party also challenged Wike’s claim that he personally visited George’s residence in Abuja after the convention to appease him.
The Lagos PDP argued that the visit appeared contradictory to Wike’s current portrayal of George as politically irrelevant.
“If he was truly the ‘failed politician’ you now portray him to be, why were you as a sitting governor, personally visiting his home?” the statement asked.
The party further rejected Wike’s alleged attempt to blame George for the PDP’s electoral setbacks since 2003, describing such a narrative as “historically dishonest.”