Taraba State’s political climate is becoming more tense as rumours about Governor Kefas’ potential defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) grow.
Governor Kefas’ growing cordial connection with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has spurred extensive talk about a possible political realignment, despite the lack of an official announcement.
The governor’s regular interactions with the president, both in public and privately, are noted by observers as a possible indication of changing allegiances.
Sources familiar with the development suggest that the move may be driven by the desire to attract greater federal attention to Taraba.
According to reports, the state, which is still controlled by the opposition, has had difficulty obtaining significant federal funding, especially in infrastructure.
Following these growing speculations, a senior political analyst in Jalingo said “The writing may be on the wall. With the 2027 elections on the horizon, it’s not unusual to see shifts in allegiance.
“But if Kefas is indeed considering a switch, it may be more about opening Taraba to federal collaboration than playing partisan politics,” said a senior political analyst in Jalingo.
Meanwhile, the Concerned Taraba Youth Group, a local advocacy group, has openly urged Governor Kefas to join the APC, further fuelling to the rumours.
The group said that governor Kefas should reevaluate his political base due to long-standing neglect of federal projects, such as the Mambilla Hydro Power Project and the blocked Zing–Jalingo–Wukari motorway.
“Considering the continued deterioration and abandonment of federal projects in Taraba, we appeal to Governor Agbu Kefas to align with President Bola Tinubu in order to attract greater federal presence to the state. We want the governor to make history by leaving the PDP and joining the APC,” said the group’s spokesperson, Shedrack Iremiya Gani.
Mood within APC appears optimistic
A senior party chieftain, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the party is preparing to welcome a wave of high-profile defections from the PDP.
“While I won’t name names, I can tell you that a lot of big fish from the PDP will soon join forces with the APC.
“We’re in close discussions with several PDP leaders, and you’ll be surprised by the number of political juggernauts crossing over soon,” the APC chieftain said.
Although the APC insider declined to publicly confirm Governor Kefas’ involvement, the comments contribute to the mounting suspicion that the governor may be contemplating a significant political change with far-reaching implications.
The political environment of Taraba would drastically shift if Kefas defected.
Given the PDP’s long-standing dominance in the state, this action can have unintended consequences and change the political landscape of the state before the general elections in 2027.
A switch to the APC, according to analysts, may increase Governor Kefas’ political clout in Taraba and across the country.
As of the time of report, governor Kefas remains silent on the matter.
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