Defection: Governor Kefas Suspends Rally Indefinitely

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed the reception of the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, earlier scheduled for today in the state.

A new date for the reception will be announced later, the party’s national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, said.

The event was to be held at the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo.

Many dignitaries, including the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, Nentawe Goshwe Yiltwatda among other personalities were invited for the defection rally.

However, Morka in a statement said the postponement was made as a mark of honor to members of the armed forces and citizens killed recently by forces of terror, and respect for victims of related incidents of abductions especially of innocent students in Kebbi state by enemies of the state.

“We salute the courage and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line in defence of our liberty and security.

“As we mourn the death of our dear compatriots, we pray for the safe return of our innocent students taken from their families by forces of evil. Our great Party commiserates deeply with families of victims of these incidents.

“The President Bola Tinubu-led administration remains determined to stamp out the menace of insurgency and banditry within our borders, and bring these despicable perpetrators to justice,” the party spokesman said.

Similarly, Governor Kefas has suspended his proposed defection rally to APC, following the abduction of 25 students of Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Mega, Kebbi State.

Kefas said the safety and well-being of the children are far more important than any political activity, making the suspension of the event necessary.

He extended his heartfelt sympathy to the families of the abducted schoolgirls and offered his condolences to the Federal Government over the tragic incident.

He also urged security agencies to intensify their efforts to ensure the safe rescue of the girls.

The governor added that a new date for his defection would be announced after due consultations.

In another development, the Taraba State chairman of PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa, has announced his decision to join the APC.

Briefing journalists in Jalingo, Alhaji Bawa, said his decision was “a painful but necessary decision in view of the intractable crisis within the party at the national level.”

The former PDP chairman, who described Taraba as a model state politically, acknowledged the contributions of all stakeholders’ to the peace that existed across political space in the state.

Arrangements had almost been concluded by the party to officially receive Governor Kefas alongside an acclaimed 240,000 other defectors into the party today.

The state has been witnessing an influx of people, mostly visitors, who were in the state in solidarity to the decision of Governor Kefas and his mass movement syndrome.

There are heavy security presence, especially around the metropolis, who are strategically positioned to checkmate and to ensure there is no break of law and order.

The event, which was slated for 10am tomorrow, 19th November, 2025, at the Jolly Nyame Stadium, will end the 26 years reign of PDP in Taraba State, to mark the beginning of a party believed will attract the most needed development to the state.

The stadium, starting from the entrance to the football pitch, venue of the event has been renovated, fortified and adorned with APC colours.

Jalingo, the state capital, wore a new look with posters and billboards of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Kefas seen on the streets.

Vice president Kashim Shittima, was to represent President Tinubu, while members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, led by Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, members of the progressive governor’s forum, the 9 National Assembly members from the state and their counterparts, North East Zonal leaders of APC, Deputy National women leader, Rev. Jolly Nyame, Sani Danladi, Umar UTC, pioneer APC Chairman, Amb. Hassan Jika Ardo as well as bigwigs of the party from the state were expected to be on ground to witness the formal initiation of Governor Kefas and others into APC.