Mumuye Youth Strongly Oppose Alleged Plans to Replace Taraba Deputy Governor Aminu Alkali

The Youth Wing of the Mumuye Cultural Development Association (MCDAYW) has firmly rejected rumors about a possible plan to remove Alhaji Aminu Alkali, the current Deputy Governor of Taraba State.

In a sharply worded response, the youth group warned that any attempt to effect such a replacement without fairness, due consultation, and political inclusion would lead to serious political backlash and deepen existing tensions.

Their official stance was contained in a joint statement signed by the National President, Ezekiel H. Augustine, and National Secretary, Wilfred William Vilaana. The group condemned the alleged proposal as a “calculated insult” targeted at the Mumuye ethnic group, emphasizing their readiness to resist any unjust or politically biased removal of the deputy governor.

“The plan is not just insensitive; it’s a deliberate attempt to marginalize the Mumuye people,” the statement emphasized.

The Mumuye Youth reiterated their complete backing of a previous statement by their parent body, the Mumuye Cultural Development Association (MCDA), which criticized the ongoing political marginalization of the Mumuye, the largest ethnic group in Taraba State.

According to the youth leaders:

“The Mumuye remain the largest ethnic group in the state, yet we are persistently excluded from critical political processes. Our peaceful and accommodating disposition is wrongly interpreted as weakness.”

They went on to cite recent political events, including a by-election incident in which Dr. David Ishaya, a respected Mumuye indigene, was allegedly coerced into stepping aside for Sadiq Abbas Njidda. They also mentioned pressure placed on their community to support another candidate instead of Innocent Umaru Jabanya. These actions, they claimed, were neither acknowledged nor reciprocated by the ruling political establishment.

“The wound from that injustice is still fresh and deeply troubling,” they lamented.

Despite these grievances, the group noted that if there are genuine reasons such as health concerns or incapacitation necessitating the deputy governor’s replacement, then the Mumuye should retain the position, regardless of which local government the appointee comes from.

“Anything less will be viewed as a deliberate act of marginalization against our people,” they warned.

They further asserted that failing to address these issues fairly could force them to withdraw their support from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and instead align with a political platform that appreciates their role and seeks genuine inclusion in governance.

The youth wing appealed to Governor Agbu Kefas and PDP leadership to tread carefully and respect the contributions and rights of the Mumuye community, affirming that:

“We are not second-class citizens in Taraba State.”