President Bola Tinubu has affirmed that governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are the party's leaders in their respective states. This declaration was made on Saturday during the official reception of Governor Agbu Kefas into the APC, held in Jalingo. Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu announced that Governor Kefas, by virtue of his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, has assumed leadership of the party in Taraba State. He expressed his commitment to supporting the governor and his administration in bringing development to Taraba, noting the governor's efforts to unite the state and promote harmony amidst its diversity.
President Tinubu urged the people of Taraba to rally behind the governor and support his administration. He welcomed Governor Kefas's defection, particularly noting its significance as a boost to the party's presence in the North East geopolitical zone, and called on the states of Adamawa and Bauchi to join the APC. Earlier, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the APC, commended Governor Kefas for his courageous decision to defect, stating that the move would enable the governor to stimulate the state's economy and empower its youth and women.
Yilwatda assured all APC members, both old and new, of equal opportunities within the party and advised Governor Kefas to unite the party's members and avoid discrimination. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibril, congratulated the people of Taraba and Governor Kefas, noting that the defection would bring more development and infrastructure improvements to the state, as well as enhanced security. Governor Kefas thanked the APC for the opportunity, pledging to work towards unity and progress in Taraba State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Governor Kefas won the 2023 governorship election under the PDP before defecting to the APC in 2025 and securing his membership card.
