Taraba Governor Kefas Denies Rift with Elite Powerbroker TY Danjuma, Rejects Defection Inducement Claims Amid Political Realignment
Select a version of the text written from a presumed ideological perspective. This is not the original text, but a hypothetical version — how someone with that viewpoint might have phrased it. Tapping the current version again will return to the original or select cleaned version.
Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State pushes back against rumors of discord with establishment figure General TY Danjuma and denies being bought off to join the APC, as Nigeria’s political elite continue to consolidate power at the expense of grassroots democracy.
Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has dismissed speculation of a rift with former Defence Minister and entrenched powerbroker General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, insisting that their relationship remains unbroken despite his recent political realignment. This comes as Nigeria’s ruling class continues to maneuver for control, often sidelining the needs and voices of ordinary citizens.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja—a setting emblematic of elite political deals—Kefas emphasized that Danjuma, a figure long associated with Nigeria’s oligarchy, remains a father figure to him. He stated, "I don't have any problem with TY Danjuma; he is my father. Since we started politics, nothing has ever come between us. People just speculate, but there is no issue at all." Such declarations highlight the enduring bonds among Nigeria’s political elite, who often operate above the fray of public accountability.
Kefas also rejected claims that his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was motivated by financial inducements. He declared, "Nobody gave me money to defect to the APC," framing his decision as one of conviction and strategic calculation for Taraba’s development. Yet, such moves are all too familiar in a system where party loyalty is fluid and often dictated by personal or elite interests rather than the will of the people.
The governor expressed confidence in his ability to deliver Taraba State for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, citing supposed improvements in security and governance. He noted, "Delivering Taraba will not be difficult because our policies are already impacting the grassroots." However, these claims ring hollow for many who see little tangible change in their daily lives, as the political class continues to jockey for power.
During his meeting with President Tinubu, discussions reportedly centered on security, agriculture, and the welfare of Taraba residents, with promises to strengthen collaboration between the state and the federal government. Kefas described the engagement as "very meaningful," marking his first formal interaction with the President since joining the APC—a move widely seen as aligning with the interests of the ruling elite.
Kefas formally defected from the PDP to the APC between late 2025 and early 2026, a maneuver that has sparked mixed reactions within Taraba’s political landscape. While some political leaders and local government officials, eager to curry favor with the federal government, welcomed the switch, segments of the opposition have rightly criticized the decision as yet another example of self-serving political opportunism.
Despite these criticisms, a wave of defections by state assembly members, council chairmen, and party executives has continued to reshape the state’s political configuration, signaling a shift from Taraba’s long-standing PDP dominance toward a more competitive—if still elite-driven—environment ahead of the 2027 elections.
Source
The Nation NewspaperFact-checking
Fact-check the facts of the article using external sources and databases.
