Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has officially defected from People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC), marking him as the 30th Governor to lead a state under the ruling party’s banner.
Gatekeepers News reports that the formal reception took place in Jalingo, the state capital, where party leaders presented Kefas with the APC flag and affirmed him as the party’s leader in Taraba.
The ceremony, held on Saturday, was postponed from an earlier date out of respect for members of the armed forces and citizens killed in terrorist attacks late in 2025, as well as the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, which Kefas said made a political event at that time inappropriate.
At the reception, Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, described the governor’s decision as a proud moment for the APC and praised his leadership style and commitment to inclusive governance. Shettima urged residents to support Kefas in delivering development and unity across Taraba’s diverse communities.
APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda called the move a boost for the party and highlighted that aligning with the federal ruling party would help Taraba tap into national programmes and interventions. He encouraged both long-standing members and new joiners to work together for the state’s progress.
Governor Kefas said his decision was based on service and purpose rather than political survival, noting that joining APC would help accelerate developmental projects and deliver tangible improvements for the people of Taraba.
Earlier efforts toward the defection saw Kefas meet with President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa and register as a member of the APC at ward level before the official ceremony, underscoring a wider political realignment in the state and federal landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
