Taraba Governor, Agbu Kefas Joins APC, Raising Governors’ Tally To 30

The governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), bringing the number of APC governors to 30.

Kefas’ formal entry into the ruling party took place on Saturday at a ceremony held in Jalingo, the state capital, after an earlier planned reception was postponed in honour of members of the armed forces and citizens reportedly killed in terrorist attacks in November 2025.

At the reception, the national chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, presented the party’s flag to Governor Kefas and affirmed his leadership of the party in Taraba State.

Describing the governor’s defection as timely and courageous, Yilwatda said the move would better position the state to benefit from federal programmes and interventions under President Bola Tinubu.

The national chairman said, “The APC is the party at the centre, and in my father’s house there are many mansions.

“There is room for every Nigerian who is willing to come into the APC. In the APC, all states and all people are equal, and Taraba is as important as every other APC‑governed state.”

Speaking at the event, Ajibola Basiru, national secretary of the APC, said the party was excited to receive the Taraba governor.

“On behalf of the National Working Committee, it is our joy to receive the governor of Taraba State into our great party,” he said.

Basiru also highlighted the APC’s broad national presence, noting that the party had grown to become “the largest political party in Africa.”

“The APC has become the largest party, and our reach is broader than that of many countries of the world,” he added.

Kefas: ‘Not Defection, But Mission’

In his remarks, Governor Kefas said his decision to join the APC was driven by purpose and the future of Taraba, stressing that his move was not about political survival.

“Today, I stand before you not to make noise, but to make meaning; not to play politics, but to lead with focus,” he declared.

He maintained that his switch to the APC was aimed at accelerating development in the state.

Kefas said, “Some say this is defection; I say to you it is about mission.

“I am not in the APC for survival; I am here for the progress of Taraba State. We are moving to the APC to strengthen and actualise our programmes with total commitment to making life better for the people.”