The Senator representing Taraba South senatorial district, David Jimkuta, has fired back at a recent publication criticising his performance, describing it as a “desperate political hit piece masquerading as a wake-up call.”
The response, issued on Saturday through his Legislative Aide on Media, Adi Useni, as noticed by The Guardian, targets an article authored by one Ambassador Abdul Garba and titled “Senator David Jimkuta’s Representation in Southern Taraba: A Wake Up Call Before It’s Too Late.”
The statement dismissed the publication as politically motivated and lacking credibility, accusing Garba of being a “self-styled political activist” with “questionable motives.”
According to Useni, the article does not merit serious attention due to its source. However, he said he felt compelled to respond to clarify misinformation and set the record straight for its constituents.
Useni refuted claims that Senator Jimkuta’s leadership is ethnically or religiously biased, calling such allegations “false and laughable.” He emphasised that the senator’s appointments and empowerment initiatives are inclusive and reflect the diversity of Southern Taraba.
“Senator Jimkuta has appointed nearly 200 aides, cutting across all 52 wards of Southern Taraba without regard to ethnicity or religion. His empowerment programmes have touched all segments of society and religious bodies. Particularly, the Muslim Ummah can attest to his goodwill during festive periods like Ramadan and Sallah,” he said.
Jimkuta’s aide highlighted the senator’s consultative approach to constituency programmes, stating that traditional rulers, youth groups, women’s associations, and other stakeholders are always engaged before any intervention.
He cited the Southern Taraba Empowerment Programme (STEP), which reportedly reached over 1,000 beneficiaries, many of whom had no prior ties to the Senator. He also noted that engineers have already carried out site assessments for road and drainage projects in various communities, underscoring Senator Jimkuta’s commitment to infrastructural development.
Senator Jimkuta’s legislative track record was also defended, with the statement pointing to key bills he has sponsored. These include the National Tea Development Authority Bill, the Federal College of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Ibi) Bill, and the Federal University Wukari Bill. The Senator is also credited with raising motions that addressed national security concerns, including the crisis in Ussa.
Looking ahead, Useni announced plans to roll out a Mega Agricultural Empowerment Programme aimed at supporting farmers throughout the senatorial district. He also confirmed that phase 2 of the senator’s vehicle distribution scheme will soon commence.
“These are not the actions of a man detached from his people,” he declared. “They are the deeds of a representative committed to tangible, inclusive impact.”
While reaffirming the senator’s openness to constructive criticism, Useni condemned the allegations, describing them as “cheap blackmail and self-serving propaganda.”
“The people of Southern Taraba are wise and can differentiate between sincere advocacy and desperate attention-seeking. No amount of distortion will overshadow the real work being done,” he said.
It would be recalled that the President of Arewa Youth Assembly, Ambassador Abdul Garba, had earlier expressed the alleged growing discontent among the people, especially the youths, over the senator’s performance at the National Assembly.
