Agbu Kefas, the governor of Taraba State, has put off his planned move from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress indefinitely because of the recent kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi State.
Earlier reports said that armed men broke into the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, on Sunday night and took 25 pupils away.
The PUNCH says that the gunmen shot Hassan Makuku, the Vice Principal, while he tried to protect the girls.
Kefas, on the other hand, stated in a statement he signed today that it would be wrong to get involved in politics while the country is dealing with another security disaster.
The governor called the event “deeply troubling” and said that compassion should come before politics.
He said, “My heart is with the families of the kidnapped children,” showing his support for the people and government of Kebbi State. Keeping kids safe has to stay a top concern for the country.
He went on to say, “As a father, a leader, and a governor whose administration has put security and education first, it is morally right and nationally responsible to suspend all major political events until the situation gets the urgent attention it needs.”
He asked for prayer, thought, and togetherness instead of celebration or political action, and he told security services to step up their efforts to save the girls.
He also asked Nigerians to stay calm, watchful, and pray.
The governor added that after talking to people and when it was right, he would announce a new date for his official shift to the APC.
He prayed for the safety of all kids and for peace to return to the whole country.
It was thought that Kefas, who was elected on the PDP platform in 2023, will officially join the APC tomorrow after months of uncertainty over his political destiny.
Several members of the Taraba State House of Assembly and the State Executive Council quit the PDP and joined the ruling APC yesterday. This made some think that the governor would soon leave the PDP.
Earlier reports said that the APC National Working Committee would welcome the governor to the party tomorrow.
Ajibola Basiru, the National Secretary of the APC, told our reporter on Saturday that everything was ready to welcome Kefas.
“The whole National Working Committee of the APC will meet with Governor Kefas on November 19.” “We are ready for the event,” he remarked.
Kefas is one of the last PDP governors, and for about five months, there have been rumors that he would switch to the APC.
The governor of Taraba will join three other governors who left the PDP for the APC.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State joined the APC on April 23, 2025. Then, on June 6, 2025, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom joined, and finally, on November 3, 2025, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State joined.
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