Kente drums support as Taraba gov weighs defection to APC

Taraba State may soon witness a major political realignment as Governor Agbu Kefas is being urged to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor’s Special Adviser on Political Matters and Special Duties, Josiah Kente, said in Jalingo on Tuesday that Kefas’ possible move to the APC would fast-track development and secure stronger federal presence for the state.

Kente described the move as a strategic calculation anchored on the “collective interest of Tarabans” rather than partisan ambition. He said the governor’s strides in education, healthcare and infrastructure would attract better support if aligned with the party controlling the centre.

“This call is driven by the aspirations of Tarabans for lasting development, inclusion in national decisions and meaningful federal projects,” Kente said.

He added that alignment with the ruling party would open fresh windows for road construction, bridges, hospitals, power installations, security collaboration and donor-funded interventions.

According to him, Governor Kefas has shown capacity since taking office and his “Moving Forward” agenda requires an enabling political atmosphere at the national level to achieve full impact.

He urged stakeholders, youth groups and opinion leaders to rally behind the governor in what he termed “a realignment for growth and prosperity.”

Kefas, elected in 2023 on the PDP platform, would be ending the PDP’s 26-year hold on Taraba if he defects. Calls from pressure groups and individuals for him to switch camps have intensified in recent weeks.