From Ben Adaji, Jalingo
Former gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Taraba State Chief David Kente said he is under immense pressure from various groups and may be compelled to contest the governorship election in 2027 to salvage the state from bad governance.
Kente, a former Director of Finance in the National Assembly, who disclosed this in a telephone interaction with journalists in Jalingo yesterday, said he went out of his way to support Governor Agbu Kefas to win election in 2023 despite being in the opposition party.
He, however, lamented that his administration hadfailed in its first two years in office and grossly undermined his efforts and sacrifices.
Sometime last month, Kente, who resigned as a Commissioner on the Board of the North East Development Commission, NEDC, told journalists that he may not join the 2027 race so as not to contest against his younger brother who may be seeking a second term.
He vehemently denied the allegation from stakeholders across party lines that he is orchestrating a deal for the governor to leave the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the APC.
He argued that as a critical stakeholder, he contributed to the victory of the governor in the last election, adding that he was not informed that the governor will be defecting to the APC soon.
“I want to put it on record that I am a loyal member of the APC and I have been sincere since I joined the party. I know that I played a key role towards the emergence of my younger brother, Kefas as governor in 2023. I have paid a very high price for that because I am excluded from government completely.
“I am also aware that just a few weeks ago, I said I won’t be contesting against him in 2027 except if it becomes the overwhelming position of the people of Taraba State.
“Since then, I have been overwhelmed with calls from individuals and groups urging me to contest the forthcoming election at all cost. Most of them have already volunteered to buy my form. And so I have to shift grounds and today, I can tell you that consultations are high and I may be contesting the election after all.
“Let me also clarify that as a critical stakeholder in the APC in Southern Taraba and Wukari Local Government Area where the governor comes from, he has not informed me of his decision to join the party as we speak.
“I was surprised when people started accusing me of clearing the ground for his defection into the party. He did not and has not informed me of his intention to join the APC. For me, it is still in the realm of rumours.
“However, let me make it clear that the party is large enough to accommodate everyone. Whether the governor is coming as an asset or liability is left for party members to decide,” he explained.
He explained that all of them who are interested in vying for the party’s ticket must be allowed to do so, while the people will take the final decision.
“For me, a lot has happened in the last three weeks or thereabouts, when we last interacted. So there has been a shift in my earlier position.
“I am aware that my elder brother, Joel Ikenya will be contesting the election in 2027. I can also confirm that I will be contesting. There is no bad blood”, Kente stressed.
Our correspondent reports that there have been rumours that Governor Kefas may defect to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections, bringing an end to PDP’s reign in the state since 1999.
However, there are dissenting voices within the APC, challenging the governor of bringing nothing tangible to the table after two years of alleged failed performance.
