Outgoing State Working Committee (SWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State has formally endorsed Governor Agbu Kefas for the 2027 governorship election and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.
The endorsement was announced on Monday in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, during a press briefing addressed by the state party chairman, Barrister Ibrahim El’Suldi.
El’Suldi said the decision was informed by what he described as the “quality of leadership” demonstrated by both leaders since assuming office.
Governor Kefas was elected in the 2023 governorship election as a first-term governor of Taraba State, while Tinubu assumed office in 2023 as Nigeria’s president.
According to the APC chairman, the party has enjoyed stability and growth since Kefas joined its fold, describing the governor’s defection as a turning point in strengthening the party’s structure in the state.
He stated: “The Governor not only embraced the leadership of the party but also ensured that our transition into the ruling party was smooth, peaceful, and devoid of rancour—contrary to the experiences witnessed in some other states. This stands as a clear demonstration of his leadership, maturity, and statesmanship, qualities that have further endeared him to the good people of Taraba State.
“Since His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, took the bold and monumental decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), we have had the unique opportunity of working closely with him to perfect the realignment process. The Governor not only embraced the leadership of the party but also ensured that our transition into the ruling party was smooth, peaceful, and devoid of rancour—contrary to the experiences witnessed in some other states. This stands as a clear demonstration of his leadership, maturity, and statesmanship, qualities that have further endeared him to the good people of Taraba State.
“Under this atmosphere of unity and cooperation, the party successfully conducted congresses across all the 168 wards and the sixteen Local Government Areas of the state with minimal challenges. This achievement followed the successful hosting of a historic and well-attended rally in the state, which welcomed His Excellency into the APC in the presence of the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, the National Chairman, members of the National Working Committee, and over ten serving governors.
“It is also important to state that, through the Governor’s magnanimity and generous financial support, the party successfully carried out the electronic registration and revalidation exercise. As a result, Taraba State emerged as one of the highest-performing states in the exercise. Membership registration continues to grow steadily across all councillor wards in the state.
“We further commend His Excellency for providing exemplary leadership by ensuring that congresses were conducted freely and fairly, with due respect for ward and local government stakeholders. This inclusive approach has strengthened unity and internal democracy within the party.
“With these milestones, we are pleased to confidently report that Taraba State is now fully integrated and firmly established as an APC state.
“At this juncture, we express our profound appreciation to His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, for granting us the rare privilege of working with him in delivering on our mandate. In these few months of collaboration, we have come to appreciate his personal qualities as a receptive, patriotic, and hardworking leader whose commitment to the development of Taraba State is unquestionable.
“He has consistently demonstrated sincerity of purpose and an unrelenting zeal to provide purposeful leadership while creating opportunities for all citizens to contribute their quota to the progress of the state.
In view of the foregoing, we the members of the State Working Committee and all other organs of the APC in Taraba State, hereby formally and unequivocally endorse His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to continue as the next Governor of Taraba State also the President of Nigeria.
“We therefore call on all party members and the good people of Taraba State to rally round and give their unwavering support to His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, as well as to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as we collectively pursue the noble cause of progress, unity, and national development.”
The SWC maintained that the endorsement reflects the collective position of party stakeholders across the state, stressing that unity, internal democracy, and cooperation have strengthened the APC’s political base in Taraba.
Party leaders also expressed confidence that the backing of both leaders would consolidate the APC’s influence ahead of the 2027 general elections, while calling on members and supporters to remain committed to the party’s vision at both state and national levels.
