Kefas Urges Statewide Prayers for Ailing Deputy, Cites Bible & Qur’an as Legal Debate Swirls

Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has appealed to residents to set aside political differences and pray for the recovery of his deputy, Aminu Alkali, who has been ill for several months. In a statewide broadcast on Monday, Kefas described the moment as a test of shared humanity: “This is not a political matter; it is a human one. We must lift him in prayers.”

To underscore the call for compassion, the governor quoted Galatians 6:2—“bear one another’s burdens”—and Qur’an 5:32, which teaches that saving one life is akin to saving all of humanity. A retired military officer, Kefas likened the situation to the esprit de corps of the armed forces, urging unity and restraint in public discourse. “Above all, let us be humane,” he said.

Even as he stressed empathy, the governor acknowledged constitutional guardrails. He noted that any consideration of replacing an incapacitated deputy would be taken “only if the need arises,” and only through lawful channels. That position, however, drew pushback from Jalingo-based lawyer Bilyaminu Maihanci, who argued that sympathy should not delay constitutional action. Citing Sections 189 and 191 of the 1999 Constitution, he reminded both the Executive and the State Assembly that governance continuity is non-negotiable. “Conscience cannot substitute the constitution,” he said.

Public reaction has been mixed. Community groups and faith leaders have launched prayer sessions for Alkali, while civil society voices are pressing for transparency about his health status and a clear timeline for any constitutional steps, should they become necessary. Political watchers say the episode highlights a recurring dilemma in Nigerian subnational governance: balancing empathy for an ailing officeholder with the legal imperative to keep the machinery of state running smoothly.

What comes next may depend on medical assessments and formal notifications that could trigger constitutional procedures, including an Assembly-led process if incapacity is established. For now, Kefas is asking Tarabans to keep the focus on compassion—while promising to keep the state informed.