Taraba State Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas is reportedly weighing a move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), raising speculation about another major political shift ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources indicate that the governor has set up a consultation committee led by former Senator Dahiru Bako to engage stakeholders before making any official announcement. “Governor Kefas believes in collective decision-making. He will not act without hearing from the people,” Bako told journalists.
The rumour gained momentum following a youth rally in Jalingo, where participants reportedly encouraged the governor to “align with progress.” Despite the buzz, PDP chairman Alhaji Abubakar Bawa dismissed the reports as “baseless,” attributing the rally to what he called “APC’s desperation.”
Political analysts have linked the potential defection to President Bola Tinubu’s strategy to consolidate APC influence nationwide. Recent moves by PDP governors, including Enugu’s Peter Mbah, Akwa Ibom’s Umo Eno, and Delta’s Sheriff Oborevwori, suggest a trend of southern governors joining the ruling party, analysts note.
Opposition voices have raised concerns over the implications of these defections. Senator Adolphus Wabara, PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, described the trend as an attempt to “erase opposition voices” from Nigeria’s democracy, warning that it could pave the way for autocracy. Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also criticised the defections, saying, “These defections are driven by fear and greed, not by principle. The APC wants to dominate, not democratise.”
The political realignment follows other high-profile shifts, such as Bauchi North Senator Kaila Dahuwa Samaila formally joining the APC. Samaila cited the “unending crisis” within the PDP and praised President Tinubu’s “bold and transformative” reforms as reasons for his move.
