President Tinubu Receives Governor Kefas Into APC, Pledges Development Tie With Taraba

VP Shettima describes state as strategic to nation’s food, energy security

By: Our Reporter

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged a stronger development partnership with Taraba State following the formal entry of Governor Agbu Kefas and his supporters into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This is just as Vice President Kashim Shettima has said that the state is pivotal to Nigeria’s food and energy security.

Senator Shettima who represented the President at a grand reception to formally receive Governor Kefas to the APC in Jalingo on Saturday said President Tinubu had instructed him to assure the Governor of his place not only in the party, but in the continuing relationship to prioritise the development of the state.

“What makes us different from other political parties is that we believe that nations endure when they learn to recognise their quiet strengths. We believe that Taraba is one of such strengths. It is a land that feeds, powers, and steadies the nation without demanding applause,” the Vice President said.

Conveying President Tinubu’s message, VP Shettima assured Governor Kefas of his full place within the ruling party and a continued relationship focused on development.

“My dear brother, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has asked me to assure you of your place not only in the party, but in our continuing relationship to prioritise the development of our people. He has demonstrated that no region is expendable. No state is ornamental,” he said.

The VP said the event was not about discovering the state’s relevance, but acknowledging its long-established role in national cohesion.

“Today, we are not discovering Taraba. We are just acknowledging what we have always known: its place at the centre of Nigeria’s political stability and future,” VP Shettima stated.

The Vice President said the APC was conceived as a unifying platform designed to bring Nigeria’s diverse regions together around a shared national purpose.

“The All Progressives Congress was built as a meeting point. A place where regions converge. Where differences find direction. Where ambition is disciplined by purpose.”

According to him, Taraba’s entry into the ruling party strengthens that convergence at multiple levels, noting that “to have Taraba firmly within this fold is to strengthen that convergence.

“Strategically. Politically. Economically. This is so because Taraba sits where food security meets energy security. Where fertile land meets flowing water. Where mineral wealth meets industrial possibility,” he added.

He added that the state reinforces the APC’s commitment to balanced national development.

Welcoming Governor Kefas into the party, VP Shettima said the decision reflected a clear understanding of governance as a partnership rather than isolation.

“Leadership, at its core, is the courage to align destiny with reality,” he said. “He understands that governance is not an act of isolation, but an act of partnership. That progress is faster when vision meets structure.”

VP Shettima said Governor Kefas’ decision to join the APC reinforces those principles and strengthens national cohesion.

“Today also showcases what the APC represents: that we are a party that grows by conviction, not compulsion. By inclusion, not exclusion. By performance, not noise,” the Vice President said.

Also speaking at the event, the Senate President, represented by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, congratulated the Taraba Governor for taking the best decision for the state by joining the governing APC.

“By this decision, progress is brought to the state. This will enhance agriculture, infrastructure and the economy of Taraba state,” he stated

Barau said it was a wise decision that would bring prosperity to the state, noting that the entire National Assembly is in support of the decision.

Also speaking, the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nantawe Yilwatda, thanked Governor Kefas for saving the state from what he called “the sinking PDP.”

He said moving from such a sick party is the best decision he has made, describing it as a move to accelerate progress, development and prosperity in the state.

“The best thing is to align with the centre so that all the good things and policies happening at that level will come to Taraba State,” he noted.

In his remarks, the Governor of Taraba State, Kefas, commended the security operatives in the state for ensuring the safety of the citizens, saying his defection to the APC, is not about playing politics or dwelling in the past but to live with purpose.

He noted that while some may see his defection as perversion or ambition, his decision is for the youth, for infrastructure, for the elders and the progress of Taraba State.

The Governor said Taraba must move into the center to benefit from the policies and the programs of our President of the present government.

Also, Ekiti State Governor, Hon. Abiodun Abyomi Oyebanji, who represented the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, said Governor Kefas has made the best decision by joining the progressives to attract dividends of democracy to the state in terms of agriculture, infrastructure and everything good for Taraba State.

Highlight of the event was the handing over of the APC flag to the Governor as a sign of being the leader of the party in the state.

President Tinubu Receives Governor Kefas Into APC, Pledges Development Tie With Taraba

APC chieftain urges Gombe youths to register, collect PVCs

Dr Jamilu Gwamna, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Gombe State has urged youths and women in Gombe State to register and collect their Permanent Voter’s Card in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration.

Gwamna made the call in Gombe on Thursday shortly after revalidating his membership card in his Jekadafari ward in Gombe metropolis.

He said that youths across the state must take advantage of the INEC’s Continuous Voter Registration exercise by coming out to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards as part of their civic responsibility as good citizens.

He stated that their ability to exercise their voting right in a democratic setting rests solely on the acquisition of the PVCs.

“I want to use this opportunity to call on all the youths, women and every stakeholder in Gombe State to get their voter’s cards.
“This voters card is your pass to vote governors and other elective officials.
“ You use it to select people that will govern you. It is very important and I encourage them to get their voters cards. And for the APC members, they should come out for the party registration,” he said.

Gwamna further praised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and that of Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, stating that their leadership had strengthened the party’s support base.

He said that both Tinubu and Yahaya have performed to the admiration of opposition leaders in the country and Gombe State.

He said that their leadership styles have provided members of the APC with the courage to drive the party’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”.

According to him, the good governance being delivered by both leaders have helped in solidifying the APC support base in the state while strengthening party unity.

“To the good leadership of our president and that of Gov Yahaya, we can see what they are doing.

“This has given us hope and courage to continue supporting his endeavours for the state.

“This is the reason, many persons are joining us and we are giving ourselves, we have devoted our energy to ensure the success of this exercise (e-registration, ” he said.

Gwamna said with the introduction of innovations such as the digital membership registration/revalidation system, the strength of the party would be accurately determined while enhancing grassroots mobilisation.

“I am here principally to encourage all members of APC to come out en-masse to re-register and validate their membership.

“The new style of membership is very good not only for the party but for the security of the country as it has features that capture individuals and their details, ” he said.

He commended the leadership of APC for the new innovation.

APC chieftain urges Gombe youths to register, collect PVCs

PRESS STATEMENT

END NEEDLESS SPECULATIONS ON APC 2027 PRESIDENTIAL RUNNING MATE

Our attention has been drawn to growing media frenzy about possible replacement of Vice President Kashim Shettima as the running mate to President Bola Tinubu under the platform of our great Party ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

While these stories have been mostly subtle, they recently assumed a new dimension when names of specific individuals were touted as possible replacement for Vice President Shettima.

Our Party states in categorical terms that the stories are purely speculative, untrue and utterly baseless.

We urge media organizations to refrain from lending their platforms to rumour-peddlers and mischievous “news sources” of questionable provenance whose only intention is to promote discord and confusion in the polity.

Under our laws and electoral regulations, the ban on political activities remains in force. At this time, our Party remains focused on supporting President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in delivering the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and entrenching its bold reforms that are now steadily transforming the economy, building prosperity, and uplifting the living conditions of our people.

We call on our ministers, senior government and Party officials to avoid, wittingly or unwittingly, stoking needless speculations, and to focus on their primary duty of diligent service to government and our Party, and bolster the success and achievements of President Tinubu, our inimitable and visionary leader.

Signed:

Felix Morka, CON
National Publicity Secretary
All Progressives Congress (APC)