Taraba APC crisis deepens as key members defect to other parties

Samuel Uhuru Jalingo

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State ahead of the party primaries has continued to get worsen as key members across the three Senatorial Districts have been defecting to other political parties in droves.

Our Correspondent gathered that the underlining factor behind the defections is the inability of the State Governor Agbu Kefas to carry key stakeholders along and his alleged high handedness in piloting the affairs of the party.

Some of the aggrieved personalities that have defected from the APC across Taraba State include Sen. Joel Danlami Ikenya, a former Minister of Labour, Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha the Party’s Candidate in the 2023 Gubernatorial election, Gen. Ishaya Bauka (rtd) who contested for the Senate in the last cycle of elections and Hon. Danji S.Shidi, the immediate past member who represented Wukari/Ibi Federal Constituency in the National Assembly. All of them are from Taraba South Senatorial District where the Governor comes from.

From the Central Zone, a serving member of the House of Representatives Hon. David Fuoh, Sen. Tutare Abubakar, a revered politician a an immediate past member of the National Assembly Service Commission, and the pioneer state Chairman of the party and former Nigerian Envoy to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Amb. Hassan Jika Ardo have left the party, leaving a gasping hole in the Taraba Central Senatorial District.

Similarly, the Northern Zone has also witnessed the defection of former Governor Rev. Jolly Nyame, Alhaji Ali Sani Kona among others who have chosen to pitch their tents with other political parties, alleging that they no longer see any future in the APC.

At least, Three candidates have obtained the Expression of interest and Nomination forms to contest against the governor who is currently seeking a second term, raising the question about party loyalty and internal crisis management mechanism under the leadership of the State Governor Agbu Kefas.

Similarly, the State congresses that brought in the present leadership of the party is also under contention as aggrieved party members have since dragged the party before the Court over disenfranchisement and alleged irregularities in the process.

Observers believe that the Gov. Agbu Kefas led administration in Taraba State may end up ditching the APC into a dangerous drain in 2027 if the National Secretariat of the party do not intervene to ensure that the governor is made to play the game according to its rule.