Taraba Govt Debunks ₦1.2trn Debt Claim, Reveals Actual Amount Owed

The Taraba State Government has rejected claims by opposition parties that the state accumulated a debt burden of more than ₦1.2 trillion within three years under Governor Agbu Kefas, describing the allegation as false and misleading.

The government warned that the claim could misinform residents and create unnecessary tension in the state.

The State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economy, Sarah Adi, disclosed the government’s position in a statement addressing Taraba’s debt and financing status.

Adi urged politicians and other commentators to verify financial data before making public claims, stressing that the alleged ₦1.2 trillion debt did not reflect the state’s actual debt stock.

According to the commissioner, data from the Debt Management Office (DMO) showed that Taraba’s domestic debt stood at approximately ₦85.51 billion as of December 31, 2025.

She said the figure represented a reduction of about ₦2.45 billion from the domestic debt inherited by the current administration, which stood at approximately ₦87.96 billion, based on DMO data available immediately before the administration assumed office.

Adi said, *“The Taraba State Government has taken note of recent public commentary concerning the debt and financing position of the state.

“The government welcomes legitimate scrutiny of public finances. However, public discussion must distinguish between existing debt, approved facilities, outstanding balances and financing arrangements that have not yet been drawn down.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the claim that Taraba State currently carries a debt burden of about ₦1.2 trillion does not reflect the state’s debt stock reported in the latest publicly available records of the Debt Management Office.”*

The commissioner further maintained that official DMO records showed that Taraba’s domestic debt had declined, rather than risen to the alleged ₦1.2 trillion.

She said, “According to the Debt Management Office, Taraba State’s reported domestic debt stock was approximately ₦87.96 billion in the DMO data available immediately preceding the present administration.”

Adi stressed that the state government had no objection to scrutiny of its financial records but insisted that such assessments must be based on accurate and verifiable information.

She urged opposition politicians to conduct their campaigns using facts and figures rather than making claims that could mislead residents or heighten political tension.

The government also warned that presenting unverified debt figures to the public could fuel hostility and undermine public confidence in the administration.

It therefore called on political actors to clearly distinguish between actual debt obligations, approved credit facilities, outstanding balances and financing arrangements that have not been accessed.

The Taraba State Government reaffirmed its commitment to transparency in the management of public funds, adding that it would continue to provide accurate information on the state’s financial position whenever necessary.