Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has confirmed that he will officially join the All Progressives Congress (APC) on November 19, marking a major political shift in the state’s history.
Speaking with journalists on Saturday, Kefas disclosed that he is set to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling party, describing the move as one driven by the future of Taraba.
“There is going to be a major shift and alignment on November 19,” he said. “I will officially transition from PDP to APC. It is a movement that has to do with the destiny of Taraba people.”
He added that he expects a large turnout of guests for the defection event.
Kefas will become the latest PDP governor to cross over to the APC in 2025, following similar moves by Akwa Ibom’s Umo Eno, Delta’s Sheriff Oborevwori, Enugu’s Peter Mbah and Bayelsa’s Douye Diri.
Elected in 2023 with 257,926 votes, Kefas defeated NNPP’s Muhammad Yahaya and APC’s Emmanuel Bwacha to emerge governor. His planned switch is significant, as Taraba has been governed exclusively by PDP leaders since the return to democracy in 1999.
The New Daily Prime earlier reported that the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations that it set preconditions for Governor Agbu Kefas’s anticipated switch from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to its ranks.
Addressing journalists in Jalingo on Wednesday, the APC State spokesperson, Aaron Atmas, insisted that the governor’s decision was wholly voluntary and free of any strings attached.
“APC has not laid out any demands before accepting the governor to come in. When he comes in, we are sure he will do justice to all manners of people.
He is joining us without any hustles or rancour,” Atmas declared.
He portrayed Kefas’s move as a deliberate effort to promote political harmony and accelerate development across Taraba.
“The major thing he is calling for is unity so that, with one voice, we can move Taraba State forward,” Atmas elaborated, emphasising the governor’s vision for collaborative governance.
