President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged a stronger development partnership with Taraba State following the defection of Gov. Agbu Kefas and his supporters to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This is contained in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Mr Stanley Nkwocha.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented the President at a grand reception in Jalingo on Saturday, described Taraba as strategic to Nigeria’s food and energy security.
Shettima said President Tinubu had directed him to assure the governor of his full place within the ruling party and a continued relationship focused on prioritising the development of the state.
According to him, Taraba remains one of Nigeria’s quiet strengths, contributing significantly to national stability through agriculture, energy resources and mineral potential.
He said the event was not about discovering the relevance of the state but acknowledging its long-established role in national cohesion and political stability.
Shettima said the APC was conceived as a unifying platform to bring Nigeria’s diverse regions together around a shared national purpose, adding that Taraba’s entry into the party further strengthens political, economic and strategic convergence.
The Vice President said the decision of Gov. Kefas to join the APC reflected an understanding of governance as partnership rather than isolation, noting that progress is faster when vision aligns with structure.
Also speaking, the Senate President, represented by the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Jibrin Barau, congratulated the governor for what he described as a wise decision that would enhance agriculture, infrastructure and economic growth in the state.
Barau said the National Assembly supported the decision, noting that it would bring prosperity and accelerated development to Taraba.
The National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, welcomed the governor into the party, describing the move as aligning the state with the centre for faster development and access to federal policies and programmes.
In his remarks, Gov. Kefas said his decision to join the APC was not driven by political ambition but by the desire to position Taraba to benefit from federal policies and programmes.
He said the move was aimed at improving infrastructure, empowering youths, supporting the elderly and ensuring sustainable progress in the state.
Gov. Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, who represented the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, said the defection would help attract more dividends of democracy to Taraba.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the APC flag to Gov. Kefas, formally recognising him as the leader of the party in Taraba State.
