By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
Dec. 25, 2025
There was public outcry on Wednesday among women and youths from Zing Local Government Area of Taraba State following an alleged distribution of N1,000 each as Christmas gifts by the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. John Kizito Bonzena.
The affected constituents, numbering about 37, were later seen around the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Jalingo at about 4:00 p.m., reportedly stranded and seeking assistance to enable them return to their various communities.
Some of the beneficiaries told journalists that they were invited to Jalingo by the Speaker to receive Christmas gifts but allegedly ended up receiving N1,000 each, an amount they said was inadequate to cover their transportation back to Zing.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Mrs. Sochaja Luka, Mr. Bivoro Benjamin and Mr. Kpanti Jelanson alleged that official invitations were sent to selected constituents across different wards in Zing Local Government Area to travel to Jalingo for the Christmas gesture.
According to them, transportation from Yakoko to Jalingo costs about N3,500, while transport from Zing town to Jalingo costs N2,500. They said they arrived at the Speaker’s residence at about noon and were served snacks and bottled water while waiting for several hours before the Speaker eventually met with them.
They further alleged that during the meeting, the Speaker urged them to mobilise political support for Governor Agbu Kefas ahead of the 2027 governorship election, after which he allegedly shared N1,000 each among the invited constituents.
The group expressed dissatisfaction over the development, describing the gesture as embarrassing and insensitive, particularly during the Christmas season. They called on Governor Agbu Kefas and relevant authorities in Zing to look into the matter.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Bonzena were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages sent to him by journalists were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.
Let them thank God for the gift now