Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas completed his defection to the All Progressives Congress on Saturday, January 31, during a formal reception ceremony in Jalingo presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Shettima welcomed the governor’s move as a proud moment for both the ruling party and Nigeria, highlighting Kefas’s track record of inclusive governance and developmental focus.
The Vice President characterised the APC as a party originally designed to attract Nigerians committed to development, saying Kefas’s decision to join aligned perfectly with the party’s foundational principles.
“We believe nations endure when they acknowledge their strengths. Taraba State is an integral part of Nigeria, blessed with enormous potential for national growth,” Shettima said.
“The APC was built as a meeting point for people committed to development. Today, it is a thing of pride that Taraba has joined this fold. We welcome our brother home because, in truth, he has always been with us.”
The Vice President praised the governor for his sensitivity to Taraba’s ethnic and religious diversity and his work promoting state unity, calling on residents to support Kefas in achieving development goals.
“We are proud of Governor Agbu Kefas for his sense of inclusivity and his development drive. I urge the people of Taraba State to support him as he delivers on his mandate,” he said, declaring the governor the undisputed APC leader in Taraba.
Kefas had originally planned to defect in November 2025 but postponed that date, citing the Kebbi State student kidnapping as requiring his attention. The party announced in December 2025 that he would formally join in January 2026.
APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwada described Kefas’s defection as a major gain for the party and Taraba State alike.
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Yilwada argued the move would help unlock Taraba’s substantial economic and developmental capabilities, promising fairness and inclusion for all party members.
“Joining the APC is one of the best decisions for Taraba State. The state is richly endowed, and this alignment will help position it for greater development,” he said.
He urged Governor Kefas to bring together all party stakeholders, guaranteeing equal treatment for both longtime APC members and newcomers.
In his response, Governor Kefas expressed gratitude to the party’s national leadership and the Federal Government, explaining that his APC membership decision prioritised Taraba State’s interests.
“We will not dwell on the past. We will work together to redefine the future we desire for ourselves, our children, and generations yet unborn,” the governor said.
He emphasised that service to the people, not personal political aspirations, motivated his defection, framing it as a development mission.
“This is not about power, but purpose. We must align in order to deliver development. I will not abandon the mandate given to me; rather, I will strengthen it and ensure fairness to all,” Kefas said.
The governor concluded by praising President Tinubu as a leader with deep governance understanding who achieves results, declaring Taraba State ready to welcome development and investment.