A youth-based civil society group, the Coalition of Taraba Youths for Reform and Governance (CTYRG), has rejected plans for a protest allegedly aimed at discrediting the ongoing civil service reforms of the Agbu Kefas-led administration in Taraba State.
The coalition described the planned protest as sponsored and misleading, warning that it was designed to intimidate members of the Civil Service Verification Committee and undermine efforts to sanitise the state’s civil service.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing on Thursday in Jalingo, CTYRG urged the state government to remain focused on implementing the reforms, which it said were already improving transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the civil service.
Speaking through its leader, Manri Joshua, the group passed a vote of confidence in Governor Kefas over the ongoing staff verification and reform exercise, describing the initiative as timely and critical to restoring order within the public service.
Joshua said the coalition had closely followed the reform process and observed its positive outcomes, particularly in addressing payroll irregularities and financial leakages.
According to the group, official records showed that the number of civil servants in Taraba State increased from about 19,000 in June 2023 to nearly 25,000 by July 2025, raising concerns over unexplained additions to the payroll.
CTYRG alleged that 6,528 names were unlawfully inserted into the state payroll without proper executive approval, prompting Governor Kefas to order a comprehensive staff verification exercise in November 2024.
The coalition said findings from the exercise revealed that only 3,183 individuals out of the 6,528 appeared for verification, while 3,345 failed to show up.
It further stated that 1,049 of those who appeared could not be linked to any recognised Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) in the state.
“These findings clearly indicate internal sabotage rather than legitimate employment,” the coalition said.
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CTYRG explained that the revelations led to the establishment of a Biometric Verification Committee in 2025, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Government House, to further strengthen the reform process.
The group alleged that further investigations showed the 1,049 individuals were not on the official payroll and had obtained appointment letters through fraudulent means, allegedly aided by compromised civil servants.
According to CTYRG, the clean-up exercise has helped restore fiscal discipline and freed up funds for governance and development projects across the state.
“Based on the outcome of the verification exercise, we reaffirm our confidence in the Kefas-led administration and fully endorse the work of the Civil Service Verification Committee,” the coalition said.
The group again dissociated itself from the planned protest reportedly being organised by affected individuals and warned against any attempt to blackmail or intimidate officials involved in the reform process.
It would be recalled that a group allegedly identified as ghost workers had reportedly concluded plans to stage a protest at the Government House to press their demands.
