The governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, has pledged to prioritise youth empowerment, economic revitalisation, and inclusive governance if elected governor of Taraba State.
Bwacha made the remarks in an interview with journalists shortly after the State Working Committee (SWC) of the PDP, under the supervision of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), met in Jalingo.
Stakeholders and members of the PDP have affirmed Bwacha as the party’s sole governorship candidate for the forthcoming election in the state.
The affirmation exercise took place on Monday at the Shield Hotel in Jalingo.
Bwacha said his vision for Taraba is anchored on addressing unemployment, industrialisation, debt management, and political unity across the state.
He identified youth development as a key priority, stressing that the state’s large youthful population must be equipped with quality education, vocational skills, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
According to him, sustained investment in skills acquisition and empowerment programmes would reduce unemployment and harness the energy of young people for economic growth.
“The youth constitute the bulk of our population and we cannot take their energy for granted. If we create opportunities for skill acquisition and entrepreneurship, they will become productive and contribute meaningfully to the economy,” he said.
On the economy, Bwacha described Taraba’s economic situation as “dormant,” lamenting what he called capital flight, poor industrial growth, and overdependence on federal allocations.
He said his administration would focus on laying a solid foundation for industrialisation through transparency, proactive economic policies, and inclusive governance.
“We do not want Taraba to remain known only as an agrarian or civil service state. We must move towards industrialisation and create a stronger economic base for our people,” he said.
Bwacha also addressed concerns over political divisions within the PDP, insisting that while former party leaders deserve respect, the party must recognise the authority of its current leadership.
He dismissed suggestions that his previous comments about former party officials were intended to disrespect them, emphasising that unity and peace remain critical to the party’s progress.
“There cannot be two captains in one ship. We respect past leaders, but the party has a structure and a leadership in place. PDP must move forward,” he stated.
The governorship hopeful reiterated his commitment to transparency, unity, and economic reforms, saying Taraba has the potential to regain its place among progressive states in Nigeria.
The state Legal Adviser of the PDP, Barr. Muhamad Danlami, said the affirmation was conducted in accordance with Section 87(3) of the Electoral Act 2026.
“In line with Section 87(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, where a political party presents a sole candidate for any elective office, the party may adopt a consensus or affirmation procedure, subject to the party’s guidelines,” Danlami stated.
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