By Jummai Ishaku
Jalingo Taraba – July 21, 2025 | Newspointer News
A former Nigerian envoy and pioneer chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State, Alhaji Hassan Jika Ardo, has dismissed the possibility of Governor Agbu Kefas securing an automatic governorship ticket if he defects to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ardo, in an interview with journalists, confirmed that there are indications the Taraba governor may dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC, but maintained that such a move would not guarantee him special treatment.
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“The APC is open to all Nigerians, including Governor Kefas,” Ardo said. “But there will be no automatic ticket. The party will organise free and fair primaries, and only the winner will fly the party’s flag.”
The former APC chairman also criticised the performance of the Kefas-led administration, accusing the governor of failing to deliver meaningful development despite what he described as “huge federal allocations” to the state.
According to him, while the government has made progress in tackling insecurity in some parts of the state, other sectors have been largely neglected.
“The much-talked-about free education programme is in shambles,” he said. “Pupils are without uniforms and sandals, they sit on bare floors, and the classrooms are overcrowded.”
Ardo also accused the governor of rebranding old projects instead of initiating new ones, describing most of the administration’s efforts as “propaganda.”
“No new roads, no major projects—just recycled initiatives. Governor Kefas has lost public confidence and is now a political liability,” he said.
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He urged residents of Taraba to objectively assess the governor’s performance ahead of the 2027 polls and avoid being swayed by partisan sentiments.
As of the time of filing this report, Governor Kefas has not responded to the comments or addressed the defection rumours.
