A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress in Taraba State, David Kente, has denied claims that he is persuading Governor Agbu Kefas to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC.
Kente, who hails from Wukari Local Government Area—also the home of Governor Kefas—made the clarification on Tuesday during a telephone interview with journalists in Jalingo.
“Let me make it clear that, as a critical stakeholder in the APC in Southern Taraba and from Wukari Local Government Area where the governor comes from, he has not informed me of his decision to join the party as we speak,” Kente stated.
“I was surprised when people started accusing me of clearing the ground for his defection into the party. He did not and has not informed me of his intention to join the APC. For me, it is still in the realm of rumours,” he added.
While affirming that the governor has the right to join any political party of his choice, Kente dismissed the allegations as unfounded.
He also revealed that he is under increasing pressure from different groups across the state to consider contesting the 2027 governorship election, despite previously stating he had no such intentions.
Kente disclosed that he supported Governor Kefas during the 2023 elections, despite belonging to the opposition party at the time, but expressed disappointment in the administration’s performance so far.
“As a critical stakeholder, I contributed to the victory of the governor in the last election,” he said. “I want to put it on record that I am a loyal member of the APC and I have been sincere since I joined the party. I know that I played a key role towards the emergence of my younger brother, Kefas, as the governor of the state in 2023.”
He further lamented that his support has not been acknowledged or reciprocated, stating: “And I have paid a very high price for that because I am excluded from the APC government completely.”
Kente also hinted at a possible change of heart regarding the 2027 polls. “I am also aware that just a few weeks ago, I said I won’t be contesting against Kefas in 2027, except if that became the overwhelming position of the people of Taraba,” he said.
