Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas and David Sabo Kente
A closed-door meeting between Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, and governorship aspirant, David Sabo Kente, popularly known as DSK, ended without any concrete resolution on Friday in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
The meeting took place at Kente’s residence opposite the DSS quarters and is believed to be connected to the forthcoming governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
Both Kefas and Kente have obtained the APC intention and nomination forms to contest the party’s governorship ticket in Taraba State. The two politicians are from the Jukun ethnic group and hail from Wukari Local Government Area.
Governor Kefas was recently screened and cleared by the APC screening committee in Jos, Plateau State, while DSK was screened in Abuja and has already commenced consultations and campaign activities ahead of the primaries.
Sources disclosed that Governor Kefas contacted DSK around 3:45 p.m. on Friday, informing him of plans to visit his residence alongside some APC stakeholders. DSK reportedly welcomed the move.
Kefas later arrived in a black tinted bus accompanied by former Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danladi, Director-General of his campaign organisation, Hon. Baido Tijos, and several APC chieftains.
The two politicians subsequently held a private meeting that lasted for more than an hour, with journalists barred from the session.
Observers noted that DSK personally escorted Kefas and his entourage out of the building after the meeting.
Kefas had previously enjoyed DSK’s political support during the 2023 governorship election, despite the fact that DSK was then a member of the APC while Kefas contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
A close associate of DSK, who spoke with our correspondent, claimed that the governor used the meeting to appeal to Kente to withdraw from the governorship race in the interest of their longstanding relationship and shared political background.
According to the source, Kefas assured DSK that he was prepared to address the concerns and grievances that allegedly prompted Kente’s decision to join the contest.
“Kefas threatened to withdraw from the race if Kente insisted to contest, he said is not possible for him to be on the ballot of the APC primary election with someone he has in all his life considered as a blood brother.
“The meeting did not end, because Kente told him that the APC governorship nomination form was purchased by his political associates and he ought to consult them for a final decision, as it is for now, we may be going for direct primary election,” the source stated.
However, the meeting reportedly ended without any final agreement, as DSK is expected to consult with his supporters and political associates before taking a decision on whether to remain in the race or step down.
Our correspondent observed that Governor Kefas appeared visibly serious as he departed the meeting venue, unlike his usual public demeanour, further fueling speculations over rising political tension within the Taraba APC ahead of the governorship primaries.
