The internal power struggle within the Taraba State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is intensifying, as the majority of elective tickets for both state and federal legislative positions face stiff resistance over the party’s proposed consensus arrangement.
The race for the 2027 gubernatorial ticket has brought these internal frictions to a head.
The incumbent Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, who is seeking a second term on the platform of his new party, faces formidable opposition from two major contenders: philanthropist Chief David Sabo Kente and the former Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo.
While intense political horse-trading is underway to see if these gladiators will succumb to pressure from the state chapter which remains a fierce advocate for a consensus option, time is rapidly running out for all parties involved.
The High-Stakes Closed-Door Meeting
In a development that political watchers describe as a critical juncture for the party’s stability, Governor Kefas was locked in a closed-door meeting with Chief David Sabo Kente friday evening.
Insiders suggest that this last-minute meeting is a pivotal effort by the Governor’s camp to de-escalate tensions, resolve grievances, and see if a consensus can still be forged around the Governor’s reelection bid.
This meeting comes on the heels of Kente’s formal declaration in Wukari, where he firmly rejected initial consensus overtures and demanded a transparent process.
Sambo Demands Direct Primaries
Meanwhile, the former Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, has shown no signs of yielding to the party’s consensus pressure.
Sambo has consistently maintained his support for the direct primary option, urging party faithful across the state’s 168 electoral wards to come out in full force to support his ambition.
He insists that a transparent ballot is the only credible way to determine the party’s standard-bearer.
As the standoff continues, the outcome of the ongoing discussion between Governor Kefas and Kente will likely determine whether the Taraba APC can forge a unified front or if it is headed toward a highly contested and unpredictable primary election.