Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has suspended his scheduled defection to the All Progressives Congress in response to the recent abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State.
In a statement issued Tuesday in Jalingo, the governor described the incident as devastating, noting that moving ahead with political engagements would be inappropriate amid national grief.
“My decision follows the deeply saddening kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, because I believed that the safety and well-being of the children are far more important than any political activity,” Kefas said.
He offered his sympathies to the families affected and extended condolences to the Federal Government. Kefas stressed that prioritizing the security and welfare of the victims made postponing his political plans unavoidable. He also called on security agencies to intensify efforts toward securing the girls’ release.
The defection event, originally slated for November 19, 2025, has been put on hold pending further consultations and an improvement in the security situation.
Meanwhile, political activities in Taraba State have gained momentum ahead of the governor’s eventual move. Within the past 48 hours, all PDP lawmakers in the State Assembly, local government chairmen, members of the state cabinet, and senior officials—including the Secretary to the State Government—have switched to the APC.
Some party leaders who spoke with our correspondent praised Kefas for delaying the defection event, describing the move as a mark of respect and solidarity with the abducted schoolgirls and their families.
