The growing apprehension among certain politicians in Taraba over Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo’s loyalty to the APC speaks volumes. They know too well that with him in the progressive fold, their aspirations for 2027 are not merely slim, they are virtually extinguished. Their unease is not about principle, but about survival. We understand!
Yet, unlike his detractors, Engr. Sambo is not propelled by frantic ambition. He recognizes that desperation, however small, corrodes judgment and breeds calamity and pains. His appeal lies not in hollow slogans but in a portfolio of quality achievements that cannot be fabricated. As Minister in two of Nigeria’s most sensitive ministries, his competence was not theoretical, it was practical, measurable, and enduring. The people of Taraba saw in him a man whose leadership was defined by execution, not by noise.
Our state, however, languishes in neglect. While other states are unveiling new roads, hospitals, and schools, Taraba continues to present old projects as fresh achievements. The low point of this charade came during the Northeast Governors’ Forum, where Borno’s Governor Prof. Babagana Zulum unveiled a tomato and pepper farm. Although commendable, Tarabans could not help asking why their own government remains incapable of delivering even the basics: township roads, functional hospitals, and quality schools.
Governing a complex state like Taraba requires someone with deep insight into its diverse terrains and economic prospects. Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo fits that bill. Take Karim Lamido, for example. This LGA alone, with its vast arable land, has the potential to drive agriculture and cattle ranching on a scale that can feed the entire Northeast if properly harnessed. Dry season farming from Karim Lamido, if maximized, could turn the area into a food basket for millions. Likewise, channeling the land into structured ranching would drastically reduce farmer-herder conflicts which, in recent weeks, have claimed many innocent lives. Sadly, instead of fulfilling this potential, Karim Lamido is trapped in recurring crises. The same fate befalls Sardauna Local Government, where natural resources worth millions of dollars lie untapped or poorly utilized.
Look at Wukari, once the pride of Taraba because of its vibrant economy and the home of the Jukun kingdom. Today, insecurity and poor infrastructure have left it a shadow of its true potential. Proper investment in agribusiness, road networks, and security architecture could transform Wukari into a thriving hub once again. Or take Jalingo, our capital city, which should be the face of modernization and progress. Instead, it struggles with inadequate road networks, poor waste management, erratic electricity supply, and limited access to quality healthcare. The capital of a state ought to be a model for others, but Jalingo remains far behind.
And what of the Mambilla Hydro Power Project? For decades, this project has been used as political bait during campaigns, yet its actualization has been elusive. The project, if fully executed, would not only light up Taraba but the entire nation, creating jobs, attracting investors, and positioning the state as an energy hub. What Taraba needs is a leader who has both the experience and the connections at the federal level to ensure such life-changing projects are not abandoned in files and speeches. Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo has already proven that he can handle complex national assignments; the Mambilla Project would not be an exception under his watch.
Taraba state needs a visionary leader who has the wherewithal to reintroduce Taraba on the national stage, not in the form of remodelling old projects, but through modern infrastructures, quality education, accessible healthcare, strengthened security, and a vibrant economy. He will also revive the Mambilla Plateau into a global tourist attraction, showcasing Taraba’s unique tourism potential to the world.
When you have someone with proven track records—someone who can begin work from the very day he takes the oath of office—there is no reason to gamble with hesitation or allow the opportunity to slip away. This is why Tarabans from every walk of life must put aside tribal and religious differences and do just one favor for our young state: rally together and entrust Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo with the mandate to lead.
As seen during his tenure as Minister, Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo is not a religious zealot. He does not discriminate nor show bias in choosing his aides and associates. In fact, most of his closest aides are Christians, who can testify to his humility, inclusiveness, and genuine hospitality. His approach to leadership has always been about service, not division.
When he was first appointed Minister of Works, many wondered how he achieved it. Did he lobby? Was it prearranged? His answer has been consistent “No”. He has always maintained, and is never shy to declare, that his appointments were acts of God. The same divine grace that lifted him to serve as Minister of Works, and later as Minister of Transportation, is what we believe will pave the way for him to govern Taraba.
Taraba needs restoration, not cosmetics. It needs a builder in the truest sense. Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo is a trained Building Engineer with decades of experience, and that expertise is not symbolic—it is fundamental. Development is a craft. It demands the vision to design, the discipline to construct, and the integrity to complete. Taraba deserves more than patchwork; it requires renewal from the ground up.
This is why MJS, as he is fondly called, commands unusual admiration among Taraba’s youth. His brief tenure as Minister saw the largest recruitment across federal agencies and parastatals under his watch, and it’s viable proof that he places opportunity for young people at the center of his mission. He does not just talk of jobs; he creates them. For a state whose greatest resource is its energetic youth, this alone marks him as the most credible option to lead the Nature’s Gift to the Nation.
We therefore call on stakeholders to put aside selfish interests and rally around a single consensus candidate in the APC for the 2027 elections. While desperation has never been part of Engr. Sambo’s political character, his ability, record, and the goodwill he enjoys across the state make him the most formidable option for victory. Taraba is our home, and it deserves nothing short of its best.
Let his critics be reminded that no malice can undo divine favor. Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo is not merely participating in Taraba’s politics; he embodies its most viable chance for revival. He remains aligned with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and continues to support the APC at all levels. Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo is APC, and APC is Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo. He will not abandon the Party that gave him the platform to serve the nation. And just as he did excellently as Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) Taraba Coordinator for Tinubu/Shettima during the 2023 general elections, he will do even more to consolidate the Renewed Hope agenda as 2027 draws near.
As 2027 approaches, Taraba stands at a fork in the road. On one side lies recycled mediocrity; on the other, the promise of genuine RECONSTRUCTION. The choice is stark, but also simple. Taraba cannot afford another cycle of excuses. It needs vision, competence, and credibility.
That choice, unmistakably, is Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo.
Naseeru Taneemu Annuree (NTA)
writes from Karim Lamido and can be reached via
taskarnta@gmail.com