Kefas: no rift with T.Y.Danjuma
Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has dismissed speculations of a strained relationship between him and former Defence Minister, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (retd.). The governor insisted that his defection from
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Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has dismissed speculations of a strained relationship between him and former Defence Minister, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (retd.).
The governor insisted that his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was neither controversial nor financially induced.
Kefas said this at a media briefing yesterday, following a closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.
He described Danjuma as a father figure whose counsel and goodwill remained intact, despite his political realignment.
The Taraba State governor assured the nation that there had never been any misunderstanding between him and the erstwhile defence minister.
“I don’t have any problem with T. Y. Danjuma. He is my father. Since we started politics, nothing has ever come between us. People speculate, but there is no issue at all,” he said.
Kefas explained that his recent visit to the former Army chief was personal and symbolic, aimed at appreciation and reaffirmation of their long-standing bond.
Their relationship, the governor said, was strengthened by their shared military background and years of association.
He added that although Danjuma is not a member of any political party, Kefas said he informed the Army general before his move to the APC, and he gave his blessing.
“Before I defected, I secured his approval. He assured me of his support whenever I need it,” he stated.
The governor also dismissed rumours that financial incentives influenced his defection to the ruling party, describing such claims as baseless.
“Nobody gave me money to defect to the APC,” Kefas said, stressing that his decision was driven by conviction and strategic considerations for Taraba State’s development, not pecuniary benefits.
The governor expressed satisfaction with his new political platform, saying he was optimistic about the opportunities it presents for deeper engagement with the Federal Government.
Kefas also expressed confidence in his ability to deliver Taraba State for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, citing what he called improvements in security and governance outcomes across key sectors.
“Delivering Taraba will not be difficult because our policies are already impacting the grassroots,” he said.
The governor announced that his meeting with the President centred on security, agriculture, and the welfare of Taraba residents, as well as strategies to strengthen collaboration between the state and the Federal Government.
According to him, the engagement was “very meaningful,” adding that it marked his first formal interaction with President Tinubu since joining the APC and would open the door for stronger intergovernmental cooperation.
Giving his take on the concerns some people have raised about possible political resistance in the state following his defection, Kefas maintained that he remained firmly rooted among the people.
The governor insisted that his performance in office has earned him public confidence.
Commenting on the security situation in Taraba State, he said the state has become comparatively safer than it was before he assumed office.
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The governor acknowledged that while no society is entirely crime-free, incidents of violence and unrest have reduced significantly, allowing residents greater freedom of movement.
He also announced the progress his state had made in agriculture, particularly the introduction of mechanised farming through the importation of tractors and expanded access to modern equipment.
The development, he said, has boosted agricultural productivity.
Kefas said the next phase of the agricultural drive would focus on establishing local processing facilities to enhance value addition, strengthen food supply chains and create jobs.
The governor also spoke about the near alignment of the Christian Lenten season and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan as symbolic, urging citizens to use the period for prayer, unity, and renewed commitment to national peace and development.
Kefas formally defected from the PDP to the APC between late 2025 and early 2026, a move that has continued to generate mixed reactions within Taraba State’s political landscape.
While several political leaders, lawmakers and local government officials welcomed the switch as a pragmatic alignment with the Federal Government to accelerate development, some segments of the opposition and some citizens have described the decision as politically motivated.
But a wave of defections by state assembly members, council chairmen and party executives has continued to reshape the state’s political configuration, signalling a shift from Taraba’s long-standing PDP dominance towards a more competitive environment ahead of the 2027 general election.
