Amid concerns over recent defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), loyal members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State have reaffirmed their commitment to the unity, survival and strengthening of the party.
The reassurance was given during a solidarity visit by the PDP Elders Forum and the PDP Like Minds Group to the Acting Chairman of the party at the state secretariat in Jalingo. The visit was aimed at pledging support to the party’s leadership and reinforcing internal cohesion.
Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of the PDP Elders Forum in Taraba State, Chief John Alex Mamman, said the forum remained steadfast in its loyalty to the PDP despite the defection of some government office holders, including the state governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, to the APC.
He described the development as unfortunate but stressed that it would not weaken the resolve of the elders to sustain the party in the state.
Chief Mamman assured the acting chairman of the elders’ continued support and commitment to strengthening the PDP across Taraba State.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the PDP Like Minds in Taraba State, Dr Helkiya Buba Joda, noted that the PDP has remained the dominant political party in Taraba State since 1999, adding that collective efforts were required to sustain the party’s legacy.
He said members of the Like Minds Group were ready to commit their resources, time and energy towards restoring the party’s lost glory in the state. Dr Joda further pledged intensified grassroots mobilisation to deepen party loyalty, urging members not to panic over the current political developments and expressing confidence that the PDP would reclaim its position.
Both leaders congratulated the Acting Chairman of the PDP in Taraba State, Comrade Obidah Bitrus, on his confirmation by the party’s National Working Committee, pledging their full support as he works to reposition the party.
In his response, Comrade Bitrus expressed gratitude to God and appreciation to party leaders for their confidence and support. He assured that his administration would operate an open-door policy anchored on inclusiveness and transparency.
The acting chairman added that the PDP at the national level had put necessary machinery in place to reclaim leadership in 2027, calling on party supporters in Taraba State to remain united and rally behind the party.
Contributing, a member of the PDP Like Minds Group, Hon. Soja Dantanimu, urged party faithful, particularly at the grassroots level, to intensify mobilisation efforts in support of the PDP.
The meeting later went into a closed-door session, where stakeholders deliberated on strategies to reposition the party in Taraba State.
