The governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), raising the number of APC governors nationwide to 30.
The ruling party had earlier postponed a planned reception for Kefas in respect for members of the armed forces and civilians who lost their lives in terrorist attacks in November 2025.
Kefas was formally welcomed into the APC on Saturday during a ceremony in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
At the event, Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the APC, presented the party’s flag to the governor, affirming his position as the party’s leader in Taraba State.
Yilwatda described Kefas’ departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as both timely and bold, noting that joining the ruling party would enable Taraba State to better access federal programmes and interventions under President Bola Tinubu.
“The APC is the party at the centre, and in my father’s house there are many mansions,” Yilwatda said.
“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.”
Ajibola Basiru, national secretary of the APC, also welcomed the governor, describing the occasion as a moment of collective celebration for the party.
“On behalf of the national working committee, it is our joy to receive the governor of Taraba state into our great party,” Basiru said.
He added that the APC has evolved into the largest political party in Africa with a presence across the country.
“The APC has become the largest party, and our reach is broader than that of many countries of the world,” he said.
Addressing party members and supporters, Kefas said his decision to join the APC was guided by purpose and a commitment to the future of Taraba State.
“Today, I stand before you not to make noise, but to make meaning; not to play politics, but to lead with focus,” he said.
Kefas stressed that the move was not motivated by political survival but by a desire to fast-track development in the state.
“Some say this is defection; I say to you it is about mission,” he said.
“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 of Taraba state.”