New developments suggest that Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, may soon defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to confirmation from his Special Adviser on Political Matters and Special Duties, Josiah Kente.
In a statement released on Tuesday in Jalingo, Kente described the governor’s potential move to the ruling party as a strategic step to secure Taraba’s full participation in national development and greater access to federal opportunities.
He emphasized that the decision was driven not by personal or political ambition, but by the collective interest of the Taraba people, noting that Kefas’ achievements in education, healthcare, and infrastructure warranted stronger federal backing.
“This initiative is not about party politics but about advancing the shared aspirations of Tarabans for sustainable growth, infrastructural renewal, and meaningful inclusion in national affairs,” Kente said.
He noted that aligning with the APC at the national level would create new avenues for development in Taraba, especially in areas like federal projects, security partnerships, and donor-funded initiatives.
“With the governor’s association with the ruling party, Taraba is poised to gain from enhanced federal involvement in critical areas such as roads, bridges, hospitals, and power infrastructure, which are currently concentrated in states with stronger federal connections,” he said.
Kente further highlighted that Governor Kefas has shown outstanding leadership and determination since taking office, adding that his Moving Forward agenda could achieve even greater impact through collaboration with the Federal Government.
“It is only appropriate that such forward-thinking leadership is backed by a conducive political environment at the national level. These are times that demand bold, strategic decisions that rise above party lines for the benefit of the people,” Kente stated.
He called on Taraba stakeholders, youth organizations, and opinion leaders to support the governor in what he described as a “realignment for growth and prosperity.”
Kefas, elected as Taraba State governor in 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would, if he joins the APC, spark a significant political shift in a state that has been a PDP stronghold since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Such a defection would effectively end the PDP’s 26-year dominance in Taraba.
In recent months, multiple individuals and groups have encouraged the governor to move to the APC, arguing that the shift would attract increased federal attention and development projects to the state.
If the defection occurs, Kefas would become the fourth PDP governor to join the APC, following similar moves by governors in Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Enugu over the past few months.
Meanwhile, Bayelsa State Governor Duoye Diri has also left the PDP but has not yet joined the APC, as stakeholders say he is in negotiations with Bayelsa APC leaders to facilitate a smooth entry.
