President Muhammadu Buhari: What Taraba Will Remember Him For

As Nigeria mourns the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the people of Taraba State reflect on his legacy with a mix of solemn remembrance and enduring gratitude. While his presidency was marked by both national challenges and triumphs, Taraba holds dear several key moments that defined his relationship with the state.

Taraba, a state traditionally controlled by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stood out as one of the few in the North East that consistently showed President Buhari deep political loyalty — often defying local party alignments.

In the 2003, 2007, 2011, and especially the 2015 and 2019elections, Tarabans stood firmly with Buhari, giving him strong support even when national momentum seemed uncertain.

During the 2019 general elections, while many APC-controlled states struggled to deliver strong numbers for Buhari's second-term bid, Taraba delivered a surprising 48% of the total votescast in his favour. The margin between Buhari and his PDP rival, Atiku Abubakar, was just 49,837 votes — despite allegations of voter suppression by the PDP-led state government.

Earlier that year, the APC campaign rally at Jolly NyameStadium in Jalingo was one of the largest recorded nationwide. Supporters came from all corners of the state, turning the stadium into a sea of party colours long before dawn.

If crowd size were the currency of political love, Taraba paid Buhari in full.

A Historic Seed That Still Grows

Long before he became President, General Muhammadu Buharietched his name into Taraba's agricultural legacy. On March 26, 1985, during his tenure as military Head of State, he visited the Kakara Tea Estate in Sardauna Local Government Area and planted one of the first tea seeds at what would become one of Africa's largest tea plantations.

That very tea plant still grows today — a symbol of foresight, resilience, and commitment to self-sufficiency. The renowned Highland Tea brand, widely consumed and exported, traces its roots to that single historic moment.

 

A President Who Visited With Purpose

Buhari's visits to Taraba were never purely ceremonial. In 2018, he made a significant trip to Jalingo following deadly communal clashes. Amid tension and grief, he met with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and security chiefs to calm fears and reassure the public of federal support.

While the visit attracted both praise and criticism, it was nonetheless a defining moment. Buhari came when the state needed him, and history will record that he stood with Taraba during a time of crisis.

 

Mambilla Power Project: A Symbol of Renewed Hope 

Perhaps one of Buhari's most ambitious legacies in Taraba was his administration's effort to revive the long-stalled MambillaHydroelectric Power Project — a dream decades in the making.

Located in Sardauna Local Government Area, the project had been crippled by controversies and delays until Buhari'sgovernment signed a $5.8 billion contract, signaling renewed federal commitment to one of Nigeria's most promising energy developments.

Though the project continues to face delays, Tarabans will remember Buhari as the President who brought it back to national attention after years of neglect.

Supporting Farmers and Rural Growth

Buhari's administration pursued a broad-based push for agricultural transformation — a policy that found fertile ground in Taraba.

Under programs like the Anchor Borrowers Programme, alongside fertilizer subsidies and rural credit schemes, many Taraba farmers gained access to improved seedlings, tools, and low-interest loans. His focus on rice and cassava production helped boost local farming, food security, and rural income.

Security and Military Interventions

Like many states in the Middle Belt, Taraba grappled with insecurity — from communal clashes to farmer-herder conflicts. Buhari's administration responded with military deployments and the activation of special forces under Operation Whirl Stroke, which helped to stabilize volatile regions in Southern Taraba.

Although the response drew criticism at times — over delays and alleged human rights issues — Buhari's presidency saw expanded military presence and increased tactical coordination across the region.

 

A Mixed Yet Defining Relationship

Taraba's relationship with Buhari was not without its criticisms. The state did not benefit significantly from federal appointments, and key infrastructure projects — notably the Jalingo–Numan Road — remained untouched during his tenure.

Yet, many acknowledge his symbolic visits, agricultural reforms, and energy project initiatives as meaningful contributions. While some efforts remained incomplete, his intentions were clear, and his attempts to engage with Taraba's challenges were visible and impactful.

Following news of President Buhari's passing in London on Sunday, tributes poured in from across Taraba.

Dr. Aisha Shehu Adamu, Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, offered her condolences in a statement:

"On behalf of the entire management and staff of FMC Jalingo, I extend heartfelt condolences to the family of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, the government, and the good people of Nigeria on his passing.

We pray that the Almighty Allah, in His infinite mercy, forgives his shortcomings and grants him Aljannah Firdaus."

Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, also expressed deep sorrow. In a statement released by Hon. Emmanuel Bello, Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communications, he described Buhari as:

"A patriotic leader who devoted his life to national unity and anti-corruption. His legacy will be remembered for his austere personal discipline, his commitment to national stability, and the difficult but necessary choices he made in leadership."

Governor Kefas extended condolences to Buhari's family, the government of Katsina State, and all Nigerians mourning the national loss.

 

Taraba will remember President Muhammadu Buhari not just for what he did — but for what he tried to do. His administration opened a chapter in the state's journey toward peace and development — even if that chapter remains unfinished.

As Nigeria reflects on the life of a leader who once walked the fields of Kakara, sat with Taraba's elders, and sought to do right by its people, the state honors a legacy rooted — literally and historically — in Taraba soil.

May he rest in peace.