Kefas Defends APC Defection, Says Taraba’s Interest Comes Before Party Loyalty

• Taraba Governor Agbu Kefas says his defection from the PDP to the APC was a strategic move to strengthen the state’s relationship with the Federal Government and attract more development opportunities.

• Kefas says his “United State of Taraba” advocacy is aimed at bridging religious, ethnic and political divides and making unity the foundation of the state’s development.

• The governor warns politicians against recruiting youths for violence or weaponising ethnic and religious differences ahead of increased political activities.

• Kefas announces a six-month Taraba CARES intervention, from October 2026 to March 2027, to provide food, jobs, agricultural inputs and other support to vulnerable residents.

September 01, () — Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has broken his silence on his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the decision was driven by the need to secure greater opportunities and stronger federal support for the state.

Kefas, who spoke while addressing Taraba citizens on Friday to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the creation of the state, said his move to the APC should not be interpreted as a betrayal of the people who elected him or an abandonment of the principles on which he assumed office.

According to the governor, the decision was a calculated political strategy designed to strengthen Taraba’s engagement with the Federal Government, broaden development partnerships and enable the state to take better advantage of opportunities available at the national level.

“My decision to move to the ruling All Progressives Congress was not an abandonment of those who elected me. It was not an abandonment of my principles or a change in my commitment to Taraba.

“My decision was a strategic step designed to strengthen Taraba’s engagement with the federal government, widen development partnerships and position our state to benefit more effectively from national opportunities,” he said.

Kefas argued that political parties were merely platforms through which leaders pursued public service, stressing that his allegiance remained with the people and development of Taraba.

“Political parties are instruments through which leaders pursue service. I did not change my commitment to Taraba; I strengthened the platform from which I pursue that commitment,” he said.

The governor pledged to work with President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government, members of the National Assembly representing the state, development institutions and other stakeholders whenever such collaboration would advance the interests of Taraba.

He, however, distinguished cooperation with the Federal Government and compromising the interests of the state.

“We will work constructively with President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government, our National Assembly representatives, development institutions and responsible partners wherever cooperation advances our interests.

“Cooperation does not mean surrender. Where Taraba’s security, resources, dignity or welfare are involved, I will defend the interests of our people,” he assured.

Why ‘United State of Taraba’

Kefas also explained his advocacy for a “United State of Taraba”, saying the idea was rooted in the conviction that the state could not achieve meaningful and sustainable development without unity among its diverse population.

The governor said the initiative was intended to encourage citizens across religious, ethnic, geographical and political divides to recognise their shared interests and collectively pursue the development of the state.

He noted that Taraba’s diversity should be viewed as an asset rather than a source of division, stressing that Christians and Muslims, as well as people from the northern, central and southern parts of the state, must work together despite their differences.

“No religion, political party or ethnic group can develop Taraba alone. No local government can permanently prosper while another part of the state collapses. Our diversity should be our strength; it must never become a weapon against us. Of all the projects we are undertaking, none is more important than our unity. That is why I advocate for a ‘United State of Taraba’,” he said.

Kefas also cautioned political actors against allowing competition for political power to threaten the relative peace and unity of the state.

With political activities expected to intensify, the governor urged politicians to focus on issues and ideas rather than mobilising young people for violence.

“As political activities increase, let us compete with ideas. Let us campaign and disagree, but let us not recruit young people into violence,” he warned.

He further cautioned against the politicisation of ethnic and religious differences, as well as the proliferation of dangerous weapons in communities.

“We must not weaponise ethnicity and religion. We must not introduce dangerous weapons into our communities. No one’s ambition is worth the blood of a Taraba citizen,” Kefas said.

The governor called on security agencies to remain professional and impartial in the discharge of their responsibilities, while urging traditional rulers to continue to provide leadership as fathers to all citizens irrespective of their political, religious or ethnic affiliations.

He also appealed to political leaders to act responsibly and urged youths not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of violence.

Kefas Unveils Taraba CARES

As part of measures to cushion the impact of economic hardship on vulnerable residents, Kefas announced a six-month Social Investment and Poverty Relief Programme, known as Taraba CARES.

The intervention is scheduled to run from October 2026 to March 2027 and will target vulnerable households and communities across the state. According to the governor, the programme will provide targeted food assistance, household support, temporary community employment, agricultural inputs and livelihood equipment.

It will also cover health and nutrition outreach, school-family assistance, emergency water interventions and support for vulnerable older persons and persons living with disabilities.

Kefas stressed that the intervention would not be turned into a vehicle for political patronage, saying beneficiaries would be selected according to genuine need.

“Taraba CARES will not become a political sharing programme. It does not belong to the APC, Christians, Muslims or one tribe,” he said.

He maintained that the programme belonged to vulnerable Tarabans who genuinely required government support, adding that beneficiary selection would be guided by transparency, verified need and community accountability.