Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has dismissed reviews of a rift between him and elder statesman and former Minister of Defence, Lt. Basic Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd), insisting that the retired common stays a father determine to him.
Kefas additionally maintained that his latest defection from the Peoples Democratic Occasion (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was neither controversial nor financially induced.
The governor spoke to journalists on Wednesday after a closed-door assembly with President Bola Tinubu on the State Home, Abuja, the place he addressed hypothesis surrounding his political realignment.
“I don’t have any drawback with TY Danjuma; he’s my father. Since we began politics, nothing has ever come between us. Individuals simply speculate, however there is no such thing as a difficulty in any respect,” Kefas stated.
He described his latest go to to Danjuma as private and symbolic, geared toward reaffirming their longstanding relationship constructed over years of affiliation and shared navy background.
In accordance with the governor, though Danjuma doesn’t belong to any political get together, he was duly knowledgeable earlier than his transfer to the APC and gave his blessing.
“Earlier than I defected, I secured his approval. He assured me of his help every time I would like it,” he acknowledged.
Kefas dismissed claims that {financial} inducement influenced his determination to affix the ruling get together.
“No person gave me cash to defect to the APC,” he stated, stressing that his transfer was based mostly on conviction and strategic concerns geared toward accelerating Taraba’s growth.
He expressed optimism concerning the alternatives his new political platform presents for nearer collaboration with the Federal Authorities.
The governor additional declared his readiness to ship Taraba State for President Tinubu within the 2027 presidential election, citing what he described as enhancements in safety and governance outcomes within the state.
“Delivering Taraba is not going to be tough as a result of our insurance policies are already impacting the grassroots,” he stated.
Kefas disclosed that his assembly with the President centered on safety, agriculture and the welfare of Taraba residents, in addition to methods to strengthen cooperation between the state and the Federal Authorities.
Describing the engagement as “very significant,” he famous that it marked his first formal interplay with Tinubu since becoming a member of the APC.
On considerations about doable political resistance in Taraba following his defection, Kefas insisted that he stays firmly rooted among the many individuals, attributing his confidence to what he described as his administration’s efficiency in workplace.
He stated the safety state of affairs within the state has improved considerably in comparison with when he assumed workplace, including that though no society is fully crime-free, incidents of violence have decreased and residents now get pleasure from larger freedom of motion.
On agriculture, the governor highlighted the introduction of mechanised farming by means of the importation of tractors and expanded entry to fashionable gear, which he stated has boosted productiveness.
He added that the subsequent section of the agricultural initiative would give attention to establishing native processing amenities to reinforce worth addition, strengthen meals provide chains and create jobs.
Kefas additionally urged residents to make use of the close to alignment of the Christian Lenten season and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan as a possibility for prayer, unity and renewed dedication to nationwide peace and growth.
The governor formally defected from the PDP to the APC between late 2025 and early 2026, a transfer that has continued to generate blended reactions inside Taraba’s political panorama.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Times Nigeria