Joshua Yohanna Nafinji

The campaign of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha has rejected suggestions that his governorship ambition is an Ichen project, insisting that he is seeking the mandate of the entire people of Taraba State and not that of any particular ethnic group, religion, locality or political bloc.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Joshua Yohanna Nafinji, the campaign declared that Senator Bwacha is not seeking to become governor on the strength of an ethnic mandate, but on the basis of a broader Taraba-wide political aspiration.

“I am not a tribal politician. I am not seeking to be Governor of the Ichen people, nor am I seeking the mandate of one tribe, one religion, or one locality.

“I am a Taraban. And I seek to govern Taraba State, not for a section of Taraba, but for all of Taraba.”

According to the statement, the governorship of Taraba State transcends ethnic identity and political gatherings, describing the office as a responsibility entrusted to the people of the state.

The campaign also addressed the recent endorsement of the incumbent Governor by individuals who identify as Ichen. It argued that some of those involved have not supported Senator Bwacha since 1991 and therefore their present political alignment does not, in its view, constitute a significant setback to his political ambition.

The statement further questioned whether those behind the endorsement possess broad grassroots influence across Taraba State.

“What I see is a handful of politicians making a political choice that appears to serve their own interests more than the broader aspirations of the people of Taraba,” the statement said.

The campaign maintained that political endorsements derive their significance from the conviction behind them and the extent to which they reflect genuine public support rather than personal, political or material interests.

It nevertheless acknowledged the right of individuals and groups to support whichever candidate they choose.

“I do not begrudge anyone the right to make their choice. Every individual is entitled to support whoever they believe in,” the statement said.

“But no individual, no group, and no political arrangement can claim ownership of the voice of Taraba.”

The campaign said political journeys should ultimately be defined by the trust of the people rather than the endorsement of a few individuals or political groups.

“The people of Taraba are greater than any endorsement.

“They are greater than any political calculation.

“And ultimately, they, not a handful of politicians, will decide who receives their mandate to govern this state.”

NewsNexus Analysis

The statement represents an effort by the Bwacha campaign to move the political conversation away from ethnic identity and individual endorsements and towards the broader question of a statewide electoral mandate.

The immediate context is the reported endorsement of the incumbent Governor by individuals who identify as Ichen. Rather than disputing their right to make that political choice, the Bwacha campaign argues that such an endorsement should not be interpreted as representing the collective position of the Ichen people or, more broadly, the people of Taraba State.

The distinction between ethnic or sectional support and a statewide mandate is therefore central to the message.

Taraba is ethnically, religiously and geographically diverse, making statewide coalition-building an important feature of any governorship contest. While endorsements by political actors can be politically significant, they do not themselves constitute an electoral mandate.

The 2027 governorship contest will ultimately be determined by the votes of eligible Taraba voters across the state’s constituencies.

The broader message from the Bwacha camp is consequently clear: it wants its political ambition presented not as a project for one ethnic group or political circle, but as a bid for the mandate of all Tarabans.

NewsNexus Takeaway: The key political question raised by the statement is whether individual and group endorsements will translate into broader voter support across Taraba’s diverse constituencies. Ultimately, the electorate—not any single ethnic group, political gathering or endorsement—will determine who receives the mandate to govern the state.

Joshua Yohanna Nafinji
Senior Special Assistant on Media
To Senator Emmanuel Bwacha CON, ESQ.