Taraba APC Chieftain Denies Involvement in Alleged Plans to Woo Gov Agbu Kefas

Prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) figure in Taraba State, Chief David Sani Kente, has firmly dismissed widespread rumours linking him to alleged moves to facilitate the defection of Governor Agbu Kefas of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the APC.

Speaking in a telephone interview with journalists on Monday, Kente, a former governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 2015, described the claims as false, damaging, and politically motivated.

“As I speak to you, the governor has not told me that he wants to move to the APC,” Kente said.

He noted that contrary to speculation, no discussions have occurred between him and the governor regarding a potential party switch.

Kente expressed frustration that the rumour has not only tarnished his political image but further isolated him within the APC, alleging that party members have been hostile toward him over the last two years.

“Virtually all the APC members have isolated me, and they’ve rejected offers from the national government that were meant for me,” he added.

According to Kente, some APC stakeholders have accused him of secretly negotiating Governor Kefas’ defection, a claim he called baseless and harmful to his political aspirations.

“They have further damaged my political programmes by alleging that I masterminded the governor’s plans to join the APC.”

Kente, who shares the same local government area with Governor Kefas in Southern Taraba, stated that neither he nor other influential political leaders in the region had been approached regarding the alleged defection.

“Just like you’re hearing it as a rumour, that’s how we his close associates in the APC are also hearing it,” he said, referencing a conversation with Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya, who also denied any knowledge of the matter.

While Kente had previously pledged not to contest against Governor Kefas “out of respect,” he hinted that the changing political climate may compel him to reassess his position. “Dynamics are changing, and when dynamics change, decisions also change.”

He also recalled his early efforts in building the APC structure in Southern Taraba alongside Senator Ikenya in 2016, emphasizing that traditional Jukun cultural values stress mutual respect and open consultation—especially on politically sensitive issues like party defection.

“In our culture, our brother should have told us if he is thinking of joining our party. But right now, all we know are rumours.”

Kente concluded by urging APC members and the public to disregard the speculation and stop associating him with a move he insists he knows nothing about.

“If the governor is indeed considering coming to the APC, it is without our knowledge or involvement,” he stated emphatically.