Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape and further consolidating the APC’s dominance among state executives. The formal reception into the APC took place in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, where Kefas was welcomed by senior party leaders and representatives of the federal government.
At the high‑profile event on Saturday, Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, described the governor’s defection as a “moment of pride” for both the APC and the nation. Shettima emphasised that the APC was founded as a broad‑based platform for Nigerians committed to development and inclusivity, and he urged residents of Taraba to rally behind Kefas in his renewed political alignment to accelerate growth and unity in the state.
Shettima praised Kefas’s leadership style and commended his efforts to promote unity across Taraba’s diverse ethnic and religious communities. He noted the strategic importance of the governor’s decision, highlighting that Kefas’s inclusion strengthens the ruling party’s presence in the North‑East geopolitical zone and emphasising the potential for expanded federal support and development programmes.
The APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda also spoke at the ceremony, officially presenting the party’s flag to Kefas and affirming him as the leader of the APC in Taraba State. Yilwatda described the governor’s move as a “masterstroke” that would help unlock Taraba’s vast economic potential and drive revitalisation efforts. He assured both long‑standing and new party members of equal rights and opportunities within the APC.
Governor Kefas, who was first elected under the PDP platform in 2023, stated that his decision to join the APC was driven by a mission to deliver sustainable development rather than personal ambition. He articulated his belief that aligning with the ruling party at the centre would better position Taraba State to benefit from national programmes and interventions aimed at improving infrastructure, economic growth, and social services. He stressed that the move was about fulfilling his mandate to serve the people more effectively and equitably.
The defection follows earlier steps taken by Kefas, including his formal registration with the APC in December 2025, when he received his party membership card at the Hospital Ward in Wukari Local Government Area. That registration laid the groundwork for this official transition, which had originally been postponed from a planned November 2025 ceremony for reasons including national mourning for victims of security challenges.
Political analysts say Kefas’s move reflects broader trends in Nigeria’s political realignment in the lead‑up to the 2027 general elections, where the ruling APC has attracted a number of governors and key political figures from opposition parties. Observers note that such defections often aim to strengthen ties with the federal government and secure access to resources and political support crucial for state development initiatives.
The governor’s decision has also followed a period of internal shifts within Taraba’s political class. Prior to his defection, the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly and multiple lawmakers had declared their own moves from the PDP to the APC, resulting in the party gaining total control of the state legislature. These defections were attributed in part to ongoing challenges within the PDP at the national level and a desire among legislators to align with the ruling party for broader political influence and cohesion.
Supporters of the defection argue that it could bring tangible benefits to Taraba State, including more seamless cooperation with the federal government and enhanced opportunities to attract investment and infrastructure projects. They see the alignment with the APC as a strategic repositioning that could expedite development efforts, particularly in areas such as healthcare, education, and road networks.
However, critics caution that frequent party switching among elected officials may undermine ideological coherence and weaken the institutional capacity of political parties. They argue that such realignments are often driven by short‑term political incentives rather than long‑term policy commitments, raising questions about accountability and governance consistency. Regardless, the political shift in Taraba is likely to have lasting implications as Nigeria’s major parties prepare for the forthcoming electoral cycle.
The formal induction of Governor Kefas into the APC underscores the ongoing evolution of Nigerian politics, highlighting competitive dynamics between parties and the strategic decisions leaders make to navigate the country’s multifaceted political terrain.
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