A leading member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State, David Kente, has denied reports that he is trying to persuade Governor Agbu Kefas to join the party. In a telephone interview with journalists in Jalingo, Kente said he has not been informed of any intention by the governor to defect to the APC, and that Kefas is free to join any political party he chooses. He called the rumors that he is facilitating the governor’s possible defection unfounded, noting that, as a prominent APC stakeholder in Southern Taraba—where the governor hails from—he would have been told if such plans were underway. Kente expressed surprise at the accusations and said the governor’s potential defection remains purely speculative.
Kente also revealed that he is under pressure from various groups in the state to contest the governorship election in 2027. Although he supported Governor Kefas’s 2023 campaign on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite being an APC member, he is disappointed that the current administration has failed to meet people’s expectations in its first two years and has not recognized his contributions to Kefas’s electoral success. As a key APC player, Kente reiterated his loyalty to the party and acknowledged the significant role he played in Kefas’s emergence as governor in 2023, noting that his efforts have come at a personal cost, including his exclusion from the state government.
While Kente previously said he would not run against Governor Kefas in 2027, he hinted he might reconsider if the people of Taraba overwhelmingly support his candidacy. These developments underscore the complex dynamics of Nigerian politics, where alliances and party affiliations can shift rapidly. As the country approaches future elections, the actions of influential figures like David Kente will be closely watched, and their decisions could have significant implications for Taraba’s political landscape.
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