The minister of state for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is fortifying its structures to take over power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State in the 2027 governorship election.
Maigari, a former deputy governor in the state, disclosed this to journalists in Jalingo,Taraba State during a working visit over the weekend.
He said APC and its gubernatorial candidate late Aisha Alhasan won the 2015 general election in Taraba State, even though she was denied the chance to govern.
The junior minister revealed that the APC lost 2019 and 2023 elections because of internal crisis, but stressed that party leaders in the state are putting the party in good stead to win the governorship election.
Maigari disclosed that after the 2023 general elections, party stakeholders in the state took stock of their mistakes and decided to close ranks to form a force for the purpose of winning all elections in the state.
“Very soon we would go into politicking again and the politics will naturally take the centre stage. Let me shock you that the APC is going to take over Taraba in 2027 definitely. We would unseat the governor and that arrangement is in full gear. So it’s ridiculous for anyone to say that we have been bought over or are romancing the Governor.
“The only thing that stopped the party from taking over power since 2019 is the internal wranglings and bad blood among party members. Everyone wanted to be the governor at the same time. That was just the problem.
“Usually, once a candidate emerges, the others will withdraw their loyalty and support and will join forces with the opposition. We saw that in 2019 and the same in the recent 2023 governorship election. As we speak, we have been able to come together and forge a stronger bond to ensure that whoever gets the ticket gets full support of the rest of us.
“As a minister and leader of the party in the State, I have resolved that I will not contest the governorship or any other position.
This is just to ensure that I remain very neutral and provide a level playing field for everyone. Once people are sure that they lost genuinely at the primaries and not because of some manipulations, I’m sure they will be more sportsmanlike,” he said.
