JALINGO — In a landmark political realignment, the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Governor was formally received on Saturday, January 31, 2026, by Vice President Kashim Shettima at a grand ceremony held at the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo. The move marks the first time since the return to democratic governance in 1999 that Taraba State will be governed by a party other than the PDP.
A Move for “Purpose, Not Power”
Addressing a massive crowd of supporters, Governor Kefas described his decision as a strategic move to align Taraba with the Federal Government’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
“This is not about power, but purpose. We must align in order to deliver development,” the Governor stated, adding that the shift would help attract federal investment and resources to the state. He urged citizens not to dwell on the past but to focus on a future defined by progress and national unity.
National Leadership Responds
Representing President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Shettima hailed the defection as a “moment of pride” for the APC. He officially declared Governor Kefas as the leader of the party in Taraba State and expressed optimism that other governors in the North East would soon follow suit.
APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, described the move as the “most significant political gain” for Taraba, assuring both old and new members that they would enjoy equal rights within the party.
Mass Movement in Taraba
The Governor’s defection was accompanied by a significant wave of political realignments within the state. Key officials joining the APC alongside the Governor include:
- The Speaker and 15 other members of the Taraba State House of Assembly.
- All members of the State Executive Council and the Governor’s appointed aides.
- All 16 Local Government Council chairmen and their councillors.
While the defection has been celebrated by APC loyalists, it has drawn criticism from opposition figures who warn that the trend of high-profile defections could lead to a one-party state and weaken democratic competition in Nigeria
