A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State, Chief David Sani Kente, has denied involvement in alleged moves to facilitate the defection of Governor Agbu Kefas of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Speaking in a telephone interview with journalists on Monday in Jalingo, Kente described the reports as false and damaging to his political image.
“As I speak to you, the governor has not told me that he wants to move to the APC,” he said.
Kente, who was the 2015 governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), expressed concern that the rumour had worsened his standing within the APC, with some members accusing him of negotiating the governor’s entry into the party.
“They have further damaged my political programmes by alleging that I masterminded the governor’s plans to join the APC,” he said.
The APC stalwart, who hails from the same local government area as Governor Kefas, maintained that neither he nor other political stakeholders in Southern Taraba had been contacted about any defection plans.
“Just like you’re hearing it as a rumour, that’s how we his close associates in the APC are also hearing it,” Kente said, citing a conversation with Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya, who also denied knowledge of the matter.
Kente noted that although he had earlier pledged not to contest against Governor Kefas out of respect, the changing political dynamics may compel him to review his position.
“Dynamics are changing, and when dynamics change, decisions also change,” he added.
He recalled efforts alongside Senator Ikenya in 2016 to build the APC’s structure in Southern Taraba, stressing that such contributions deserve recognition and proper consultation.
“In our culture, our brother should have told us if he is thinking of joining our party. But right now, all we know are rumours,” he said.
Kente urged party members to disregard the speculation and refrain from holding him responsible for decisions he is unaware of.
“If the governor is indeed considering coming to the APC, it is without our knowledge or involvement,” he said.
