The Taraba State House of Assembly and a civic group, Zing Watch Group, have dismissed reports alleging that the Speaker of the House, Hon. John Bonzena, distributed ₦1,000 each to constituents as a Christmas gift.
The clarification followed media reports suggesting that some women and youths from Zing Local Government Area were dissatisfied after about 37 constituents were allegedly invited to the Speaker’s residence in Jalingo for a Christmas outreach, only to receive what was described as a token amount.
In separate statements issued on Saturday, the Assembly and the group explained that the reported ₦1,000 gesture was not meant for visiting constituents but for children and young ladies living around the Speaker’s residence in Jalingo as part of a neighbourhood Christmas support.
They stated that the Speaker had invited his constituents to celebrate Christmas with him in his hometown of Yakoko in Zing Local Government Area, but some individuals misunderstood the invitation and travelled to Jalingo instead.
According to the statements, those who arrived in Jalingo were informed by aides of the Speaker to return to Yakoko, where arrangements for the constituency Christmas engagement were already underway.
The Zing Watch Group and the Assembly urged the public to disregard what they described as misleading reports, expressing confidence in the Speaker’s leadership and character.
They further disclosed that during the Christmas gathering in Yakoko, various stakeholders—including community elders, religious leaders, youth and women groups, and party members—met with the Speaker and received items such as foodstuffs, clothing materials, and support funds for small businesses.
The statements also highlighted some projects credited to the Speaker in Zing constituency within the year, including the provision of accommodation for corps members, construction of culverts, installation of streetlights, and tree planting initiatives aimed at environmental protection.
The Assembly noted that under Bonzena’s leadership, the House has continued to prioritise policies on education, healthcare, infrastructure, peace, and transparency, adding that he remains committed to addressing the needs of his constituents.
The statements were jointly signed by representatives of the Zing Watch Group and the media department of the Taraba State House of Assembly.
