Skip to main content

Taraba Lawmakers Secure Health Jobs For Daughters Through Assembly Recruitment Slots —SaharaReporters


Controversy has erupted in Taraba State following allegations that members of the state House of Assembly were given slots to recommend candidates for vacancies advertised by the Taraba State Health Services Management Board, raising concerns about the transparency and fairness of the recruitment process.

A document obtained by SaharaReporters indicates that lawmakers recommended candidates for positions involving nurses and other essential health workers, prompting questions about whether political connections influenced access to public-sector employment.

Among the names listed is Precious Nuhu Akila, reportedly recommended by Hon. Nuhu Akila Rantio, the lawmaker representing Lau State Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly.

Another candidate, Gassana Joseph Kassong, was reportedly recommended by Hon. Joseph Kannoh Kassong, who represents Yorro State Constituency and chairs the House Committee on Health.

SaharaReporters learnt that both candidates are daughters of the lawmakers who nominated them.

The document also lists Mark Titong Lawrence as a candidate recommended by Hon. Abdulzees S. Titong, the lawmaker representing Sardauna I State Constituency. Although the two share the surname Titong, SaharaReporters could not independently establish whether they are related as of the time of filing this report.


The reported recommendations have raised questions about whether qualified applicants were given equal opportunities or whether political influence played a role in the selection process.

The Board had advertised vacancies for nurses and other essential health workers, whose services are crucial to healthcare delivery across Taraba State, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

A source within the Board, who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity, expressed concern over what they described as an unequal arrangement, questioning why the children of politicians should be recommended for public-sector jobs while other qualified applicants without influential connections struggle to secure similar opportunities.

The source also questioned the rationale for allowing lawmakers to recommend candidates for positions in the public health sector, particularly when the vacancies had been advertised for applicants seeking employment in essential healthcare roles.

The allegations have renewed concerns about the involvement of political officeholders in public-service recruitment and whether such arrangements could undermine merit-based selection and equal access to employment.

Public-sector recruitment is generally expected to follow established eligibility criteria, professional qualification requirements and transparent selection procedures. However, the document raises questions about the process through which candidates were recommended and whether all applicants were assessed under the same conditions.

SaharaReporters’ attempt to obtain comments from Hon. Joseph K. Kassong, chairman of the Taraba State House of Assembly Committee on Health and representative of Yorro State Constituency, was unsuccessful.

Kassong neither answered a phone call placed to him nor responded to a message seeking his reaction to the allegations and the reported recommendation of his daughter, Gassana Joseph Kassong, for a position in the recruitment exercise.

As of the time of filing this report, he had not responded to the inquiry.

This article was first reported by Sahara Reporters

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Taraba Governor Approves Cabinet Reshuffle, Redeploys Four Commissioners

Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has approved the immediate redeployment of four Commissioners serving in the State Executive Council as part of a cabinet reshuffle. The redeployment, contained in a press release dated August 26, 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps, Esq., affects four ministries. Under the new arrangement, Hon. Peter George moves from the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry to the Ministry of Water Management and Aquatic Affairs, while Hon. Daniel Ishaku is redeployed from Water Management and Aquatic Affairs to the Ministry of Waste Management and Resource Innovation. Also affected are Hon. Bernard Shonzen James Kassa, who moves from the Ministry of Waste Management and Resource Innovation to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Services, and Hon. Philip Habu James, who is redeployed from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Services to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry...
Post a Comment
Read more

Jukun militia kills five Tiv farmers, injures woman in fresh attack

In Spite of interventions by stakeholders to broker peace between the Tiv and Jukun in Benue and Taraba states, five persons have been killed in fresh attacks on Gyenku in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. The Guardian learnt that the Jukun attacked farms to kill the victims.Confirming the incidence, Caretaker Chairman of Ukum Council, Tor-Tyokaa Iberlogo said five persons were killed on their farms, while a woman was seriously injured and is receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital. On what becomes of the peace committee set up by Benue and Taraba states governments to ensure lasting peace and security in both states, Iberlogo said members of the committee would visit him next Monday for briefing. When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue Command, DSP Sewuese Anene, said all efforts to get details from the Ukum Council Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and the Police Area Command failed. It would be recalled that the incidence took p...
Post a Comment
Read more

Supreme Court Ends Prof. Yayha Dream Of Becoming Taraba APC Guber Candidate

The Supreme Court has ended the desire of Prof. Muhammed Sani Yahya to replace His Excellency, Distinguished Sen. Abubakar Danladi as the APC Candidate if the eligibility suit filed by Sani Danladi before the Supreme Court will be resolved against him. Prof. Muhammed Sani Yahya in an appeal filed against Usman Udi and Others at the Supreme Court is asking the Court to Joint him in the substantive suit and so that he can make a counter claim in the appeal filed by His Excellency, Distinguished Sen. Sani Abubakar Danladi challenging his disqualification by the Federal High Court on the eve of the March 9, 2019 Gubernatorial Election. When confronted by the five-man Justices of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Mary Odili on whether or not Prof. Muhammed Sani Yahaya is challenging the Primary Election of his party or he is wrongfully substituted as the candidate of his party. Prof. Muhammed Sani Yahya through his Learned Counsel Pius Damba subjected himself to ridiculousne...
Post a Comment
Read more