The Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, is set to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), his political adviser has confirmed.
The Governor’s Special Adviser on Political Matters and Special Duties, Josiah Kente, stated that the move is a strategic step to ensure Taraba’s full inclusion in national development and secure more federal opportunities for the state.
In a statement issued in Jalingo on Tuesday, Kente explained that the call for the governor to join the APC was driven by the “collective interest of Tarabans,” and not by personal ambition. He emphasised that Governor Kefas’s record of performance in education, healthcare, and infrastructure deserved stronger federal backing.
“This call is anchored not on partisan interest but on the collective aspiration of the people of Taraba for sustainable progress, infrastructural transformation, and inclusion in national affairs,” Kente stated.
He argued that aligning with the ruling party at the national level would open new channels for the state’s development, particularly in areas such as federal projects, security cooperation, and donor-funded interventions.
“With the Governor’s alignment to the ruling party, Taraba stands to benefit from increased federal presence such as roads, bridges, hospitals, and power installations which are currently concentrated in states with stronger federal ties,” he added.
Kente described the potential defection as a “realignment for growth and prosperity,” and urged stakeholders, youth groups, and opinion leaders in the state to support the governor’s decision.
Governor Agbu Kefas was elected in 2023 on the platform of the PDP. His defection to the APC would mark a significant political shift in the state, effectively ending the PDP’s 26-year rule in Taraba since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
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