Ex-Minister Ikenya Makes U-turn To PDP After Defection To APC With Governor Kefas

In what could be described as a big loss to the All Progressives Congress (APC) amidst the mass defections of politicians in Taraba State, the former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya, has shunned Governor Agbu Kefas’ enticement to APC, saying he was going back to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which was instrumental to his political prominence.

Ikenya’s defection is coming on the heels of Governor Kefas’ expected move, said to be heightening political tension and realignments among politicians in the state.

This was contained in a letter titled, ‘Defection Notification by Sen. Joel Danlami Ikenya’, made available to journalists in Jalingo.

In the letter, the former minister said his decision was the product of “careful consideration, due diligence, and wide consultations.”

According to Senator Ikenya in the letter, he said, “I am pleased to announce that I have formally defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the interest of my people, Tarabans.”

He emphasised that the PDP has been instrumental to his political rise and would not want to neglect the party at the time it needed him most.

“You are all aware that the PDP remains the party that has given me the platform to attain all the positions I have ever held in politics, and this is where I believe I am loved,” he added.

He also expressed gratitude to his supporters for showing him “love and solidarity” throughout his decades-long political career.

Senator Ikenya, who has a long political history with the PDP, is known Known as a grassroots politician with significant influence, particularly in Wukari and southern part of Taraba State.

He served in the Taraba State House of Assembly (1999–2003), House of Representatives (2003–2007), and was elected to the Senate (2007–2015), representing Taraba South, all under the PDP platform.

He served under the government of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, as the Minister of Labour and Productivity, a position he held from March to May 2015.

In the letter, Senator Ikenya assured his loyal supporters that his return to the PDP was guided solely by his commitment to serving his constituents effectively.