The pioneer chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State, Alhaji Hassan Jika Ardo, has declared that Governor Agbu Kefas will not be granted an automatic governorship ticket should he defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to journalists in Jalingo on Monday, Ardo—who previously served as Nigeria’s envoy to Trinidad and Tobago—confirmed ongoing speculations that Governor Kefas is considering leaving the PDP for the APC.
While welcoming the governor’s potential defection, Ardo emphasized that loyalty to the party and merit would determine candidacy, not political convenience.
“We are aware the governor is making moves to join the APC. It’s no longer a secret, and the party is open to all,” Ardo said.
“However, those coming in must understand they cannot sideline the loyal party members who have built the APC in Taraba over the years.”
He criticized the governor’s performance in office, describing him as a “political liability” who has lost public support.
“The truth is, the governor has performed poorly in the past two years. Apart from some progress in security, he has nothing to show for the enormous allocations received by the state,” Ardo stated.
He was particularly critical of the administration’s flagship free education initiative, describing it as chaotic and poorly executed.
“There are still no school uniforms, no sandals, and students are forced to sit on bare floors in overcrowded classrooms,” he said.
“The governor hasn’t initiated or completed any meaningful project. No new roads—just the remodeling and renaming of existing ones. It’s disappointing.”
Ardo reiterated that the APC would follow internal democratic processes to select its flagbearers, stressing that there would be no automatic ticket for Governor Kefas or any other aspirant.
“Primaries will be conducted, and whoever emerges will receive the party’s full backing,” he said.
He urged Taraba residents to look beyond political sentiments and hold leaders accountable.
“Governor Kefas has either failed or is simply uninterested in governing. Tarabans must wake up and reclaim their future,” Ardo concluded.
