By Godwin Agia, Jalingo
President Bola Tinubu has declared that governors under the All Progressives Congress (APC) remain leaders of the party in their respective states.
He made this declaration on Saturday at the official reception of Gov Agbu Kefas into the APC, held at Jolly Nyame Stadium Jalingo, Taraba State.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu announced that Governor Agbu Kefas has assumed the leadership of the party in Taraba State by virtue of his defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Tinubu while expressing his determination to support the governor and his cabinet in bringing development, urged the people of the state to rally behind the governor and support him to succeed.
The president expressed satisfaction with governor Kefas’ defection to the APC in the North East geopolitical zone, calling on neighboring states Adamawa and Bauchi to join the party.
Earlier, Prof. Nentawe Yelwatda, National Chairman of the APC, commended Governor Kefas for being courageous by decamping to the ruling party.
“Kefas did not make a mistake by leaving the sinking PDP to the APC. This decision is a big achievement as it will enable the governor to get the economy of the state and the youth and women of the state to be productive,” he said.
The APC National Chairman assured all members of the party, both old and new, of equal opportunities in the activities of the party, and advised Dr Kefas to stand for everybody and unite the party, without discrimination.
Sen. Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, congratulated the people of Taraba and Gov. Kefas, noting that the defection would bring more development and enhance infrastructure, including strengthening security in the state.
Represented by Sen. Barau Jibril, Deputy Senate President, Akpabio said the decision would enable Taraba State to enjoy equal opportunities in governance at the national level.
Governor Agbu Kefas, in his remark, said the event was to shape the future of Taraba State, encouraged tarabans to focus on the future rather than dwelling on the past.
“To bring jobs for the jobless and business for entrepreneurs. To serve the state and be committed to the people and show results and fulfillment through discipline and patriotism,” he said.
Kefas while thanking the APC leadership for the opportunity, noted that the broom given to him would be use to sweep away division, poverty, tribalism, and insecurity in the state, stressed that his move was for the people of Taraba State and not for personal interests.
Recall that Gov. Kefas won the 2023 governorship election under PDP and defected to APC in 2025, securing his membership registration card.
