By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA – Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, on Wednesday, denied the allegation that governors, who dumped the Peoples Democratic Occasion, PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, have been induced monetarily to decamp their former celebration.
The governor additionally dismissed speculations of a strained relationship with the elder statesman and former Defence Minister, Normal Theophilus Danjuma (retd).
Talking with State Home correspondents after assembly behind closed-doors with President Bola Tinubu on the presidential Villa, Abuja, Kefas insisted that his defection from the PDP to the APC was neither controversial nor financially induced.
Addressing rumours that monetary incentives influenced his defection to the ruling celebration, Kefas flatly denied receiving any cash, describing such claims as unfounded political gossip.
“No one gave me cash to defect to the APC,” he mentioned, stressing that his determination was pushed by conviction and strategic concerns for the event of Taraba State relatively than pecuniary advantages.
He additionally expressed satisfaction together with his new political platform, saying he stays optimistic concerning the alternatives it presents for the state.
The governor additional declared confidence in his means to ship Taraba State for President Tinubu within the 2027 presidential election, citing what he described as seen enhancements in safety and governance outcomes throughout crucial sectors.
“Delivering Taraba is not going to be tough as a result of our insurance policies are already impacting the grassroots,” he mentioned.
On the insinuation that he has frosty relationship with Gen. Danjuma, Kefas denied that such existed, describing Gen Danjuma as a father determine whose steerage and goodwill stay intact regardless of his political realignment.
He mentioned his current go to to the retired basic was private and symbolic, geared toward appreciation and reaffirmation of their long-standing bond.
In response to the governor, there has by no means been any misunderstanding between them, noting that their shared navy background and years of affiliation have continued to outline their relationship.
“I don’t have any downside with TY Danjuma; he’s my father. Since we began politics, nothing has ever come between us. Individuals simply speculate, however there isn’t a situation in any respect,” Kefas said, including that Danjuma, although not a member of any political celebration, was duly knowledgeable earlier than his transfer to the APC and gave his blessing. “Earlier than I defected, I secured his approval. He assured me of his help at any time when I would like it.”
Talking on his go to to the seat of energy, the governor said that his closed-door assembly with President Tinubu centred on safety, agriculture and the welfare of Taraba residents, in addition to methods to strengthen collaboration between the state and the Federal Authorities.
He described the engagement as “very significant,” noting that it marked his first formal interplay with the President since becoming a member of the ruling celebration and would open the door for deeper intergovernmental cooperation.
Responding to issues over political resistance following his defection, he maintained that he stays firmly rooted among the many individuals, insisting that efficiency in workplace has earned him public confidence.
On safety, Kefas mentioned Taraba is now comparatively safer than it was earlier than he assumed workplace, acknowledging that whereas no society is fully crime-free, incidents of violence and unrest have diminished considerably, permitting residents larger freedom of motion.
He additionally highlighted progress in agriculture, significantly the introduction of mechanised farming by way of the importation of tractors and enlargement of entry to trendy tools, which he mentioned has boosted productiveness.
In response to him, the subsequent section of the agricultural drive will concentrate on establishing native processing amenities to reinforce worth addition and create employment.
The governor additional described the close to alignment of the Christian Lenten season and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan as symbolic, urging residents to make use of the interval for prayer, unity and renewed dedication to nationwide peace and growth.
Governor Kefas formally defected from the PDP to the APC between late 2025 and early 2026, a transfer that has continued to generate combined reactions inside Taraba’s political panorama.
Whereas a number of political leaders, lawmakers and native authorities officers welcomed the swap as a realistic alignment with the Federal Authorities for growth beneficial properties, segments of the opposition and a few residents have criticised the choice as politically motivated.
However, a wave of defections by state meeting members, council chairmen and celebration executives has regularly reshaped the state’s political configuration, signalling a major shift from Taraba’s long-standing PDP dominance towards a extra aggressive multiparty surroundings forward of the 2027 elections.
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