In what could signal a major political realignment in Taraba State, leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have thrown their weight behind Governor Agbu Kefas amid growing speculation that he may soon defect from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling APC.
The show of solidarity, as reported by Daily Post, came over the weekend during a strategic meeting held at the Jalingo residence of former governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Danladi Baido.
The gathering brought together a broad coalition of APC figures, including the party’s state chairman, members of the APC Youth Forum, Concerned Citizens, APC Like Minds, and elders representing the 16 local government areas and two development zones of the state.
Our reporter gathered that the meeting was convened to reaffirm loyalty and pledge full support to Governor Kefas ahead of his anticipated move to the APC.
Those who spoke with Daily Post described the governor’s possible defection as both “timely” and “strategic,” arguing that it would strengthen Taraba’s ties with the federal government and pave the way for greater infrastructural development, economic empowerment, and human capital growth.
A.A. Liman, representing the NNPP bloc, emphasized the importance of political unity, declaring his full support for Kefas’ expected defection. He noted that aligning Taraba with the APC-led federal government would “accelerate the pace of development and open more empowerment opportunities for citizens.”
In his remarks, the chief host, Danladi Baido, commended party leaders for recognizing Governor Kefas’ “progressive vision,” describing him as a “true leader with a transformative agenda” who governs beyond the boundaries of party, religion, or ethnicity.
Baido urged APC members, youth groups, and the electorate to rally behind the governor’s administration as he “steers the state toward greater progress.”
Elder statesmen and other stakeholders at the meeting also lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s growing interest in Taraba, pointing to recent federal appointments of indigenes from the state as evidence of inclusion.
They expressed confidence that Governor Kefas’ alignment with the APC would further deepen cooperation between the state and the federal government, bringing about expanded infrastructural and economic development.
As political realignments gather momentum, analysts who spoke with our reporter suggested that Taraba may be on the brink of a new era, one marked by closer collaboration with the center and renewed focus on growth and development under Governor Kefas’ leadership.
