Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Professor Jerome Nyameh, the Accord Party's governorship candidate for Taraba State, has dismissed the narrative that the state is poor, declaring instead that its abundant natural and human resources have been systematically underutilised and mismanaged by successive administrations. Speaking on Monday, August 17, 2026, in Jalingo, the state capital, Nyameh said Taraba possesses enormous agricultural land, mineral deposits, forests, water bodies and tourism attractions capable of transforming its economy and lifting its people out of poverty. He said the persistent economic difficulties confronting the state cannot be blamed on a lack of resources, but rather on poor planning, ineffective management and the failure to create an enabling environment capable of attracting meaningful investment.
"Taraba is not poor. We are blessed with natural resources, but these resources have been underutilised and mismanaged," Nyameh said. He argued that successive governments have failed to fully harness the state's vast agricultural potential, mineral deposits, forests and tourism attractions for sustainable development. According to Nyameh, the state's persistent economic challenges stem from inadequate planning, poor management and the absence of an enabling environment for investment.
The Accord candidate singled out agriculture as one of the sectors with the capacity to serve as the backbone of Taraba's economy, particularly if the government prioritises mechanised farming, agro-processing, improved access to markets and the development of agricultural value chains. "The agricultural sector, if properly developed, could become a major driver of Taraba's economy, particularly through mechanised farming, agro-processing, improved access to markets and the development of value chains," he said. He also stressed the need for the responsible exploitation of the state's mineral resources, arguing that mining activities must be properly regulated to prevent environmental degradation and ensure that host communities and the state derive tangible benefits from the sector.
Nyameh identified tourism as another largely untapped sector with enormous potential to generate employment and revenue for the state. He pointed to Taraba's mountains, forests, wildlife and other natural attractions as assets that could attract tourists and investors if adequately developed, preserved and promoted. The governorship candidate also called for increased investment in critical infrastructure, including roads, electricity, water supply and healthcare, describing them as essential foundations for unlocking the economic potential of rural communities and connecting producers to markets.
Nyameh further advocated for a governance model anchored on accountability, efficient utilisation of public resources and stronger partnerships with the private sector to accelerate economic growth. He said a government genuinely committed to development must move beyond political rhetoric and adopt policies capable of converting Taraba's natural endowments into measurable improvements in the lives of its citizens. He expressed optimism that Taraba could emerge as one of Nigeria's leading economic hubs if its resources were properly managed and its people given greater opportunities to participate in the state's development.
Nyameh, who has been affirmed as the Accord Party's sole governorship candidate for the 2027 election, has previously outlined his plan to rescue Taraba from what he described as years of bad governance and mismanagement of resources through what he calls the "3Rs Principle" – Recovery, Resource Utilisation and Reformation. He has also unveiled a four-pillar agenda focused on ideas and service delivery, and has emphasised that Taraba's vast agricultural, mineral and water resources, if properly harnessed, could transform its economy and improve the living standards of its residents.
The governorship candidate urged the people of Taraba to demand greater accountability from political leaders and to support policies that would promote sustainable development, job creation and improved living standards across the state. His remarks have reignited debate about the state's economic potential and the leadership failures that have kept it from realising that potential, as residents and stakeholders weigh his message ahead of the 2027 elections.
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