A legislative seat in the Taraba State House of Assembly has officially become vacant following the resignation of Hon. Mike Dio Jen, the member representing Karim-Lamido II Constituency.
Jen stepped down from his position after being appointed as the Commissioner for the Ministry of Tertiary Institutions by the Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas. The development was formally announced by the Secretary to the State Government, Gibson Kataps, on April 15, 2025.
Following the announcement, Hon. Jen confirmed his resignation from the House of Assembly, stating that while the decision was not an easy one, he is ready to embrace the new opportunity to contribute to the development of Taraba State from the executive arm. He expressed deep appreciation for the trust reposed in him by Governor Kefas and described his new appointment as a call to higher service.
“It is with mixed emotions that I step aside from my legislative role,” Jen said. “However, I believe that serving as Commissioner offers a broader platform to impact lives and support the governor’s progressive agenda for our dear state. My loyalty to His Excellency remains firm, and I am committed to aligning with his vision to move Taraba forward.”
He acknowledged the concerns of his constituents but emphasized that the decision would ultimately create space for fresh representation through a democratic by-election. Jen also noted that his experience in the legislature will serve as a strong foundation for his work in the executive arm, particularly in advancing tertiary education across the state.
With his resignation, the Karim-Lamido II constituency now awaits the scheduling of a by-election by the appropriate electoral authorities to fill the vacant seat in the State Assembly.
The move has been received with a mixture of commendation and curiosity from the public, with political observers noting Jen’s dedication to public service and his alignment with the reform-driven leadership of Governor Agbu Kefas.
