537
By Myke Agunwa
Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas on Sunday officially registered as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), formalizing his long-anticipated defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The move marks the culmination of weeks of political realignment in the state, which has historically been a PDP stronghold since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Kefas, elected governor in 2023 on the PDP platform, received his APC membership card during a low-key ceremony at the T.Y. Danjuma House in Jalingo.
The card was presented by Umaru Tanko, Chairman of the APC Hospital Ward in Wukari Local Government Area, the governor’s home ward. Tanko hailed Kefas as a “bonafide member” of the party and expressed delight at formally welcoming him into the APC fold.
Speaking after the registration, Governor Kefas explained that the step was necessary to validate his membership and allow full participation in party activities. He noted that a grand public defection ceremony, originally planned for November 19, had been postponed indefinitely out of solidarity with families affected by the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State. A new date for the official ceremony will be announced soon, he added.
Kefas emphasized that his alignment with the APC is aimed at strengthening cooperation with the federal government under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, unlocking greater development opportunities for Taraba residents. “This decision is in the overall interest of governance and the people of Taraba State,” he stated.
The governor’s defection follows similar moves by key political figures in the state, including the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly and several lawmakers, as well as members of the State Executive Council, who switched to the APC in recent months citing the need to align with the center for progress.
Barrister Zainab Usman Jalingo, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Reorientation, confirmed that Kefas is now a full-fledged APC member and has assumed leadership of the party in Taraba.
His defection brings to seven PDP governors that left the party to the APC lately. Top on the list is Delta State Governor Sheriff Obowveri and his Akwa Ibom State Counterpart Pastor Umoh Enoh.
Others are Enugu State Dr. Peter Mbah, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Rivers State governor Siminlayi Fubara and his Osun state Counterpart Sen. Ademola Adeleke.
With his formal registration in the APC, Kefas has now assumed leadership of the party in the state.