Vice President Kashim Shettima has characterised the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a political platform where “differences find direction,” describing it as a party driven by performance rather than rhetoric.
Shettima made the remark in Jalingo while formally receiving the Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, following the governor’s decision to join the ruling party.
According to the Vice President, Kefas’ defection further affirms the APC’s founding ideals and contributes to strengthening national unity across the country.
“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,” Shettima was quoted as saying in a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha.
He described Taraba State as a critical asset to Nigeria’s food production and energy sustainability, noting its strategic importance to the nation’s long-term development goals.
Shettima disclosed that President Tinubu had directed him to reassure Governor Kefas of his full acceptance within the APC and of the administration’s commitment to sustaining a productive relationship that prioritises the growth of Taraba 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.
Delivering the President’s message, Shettima stated, “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 explained that the occasion was not about discovering Taraba anew, but about recognising its long-standing contribution to Nigeria’s stability and future.
“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,” he said.
The Vice President further noted that the APC was established as a unifying political force, intended to bring together Nigeria’s diverse regions under a common national vision.
He said Taraba’s entry into the party strengthens that alignment on several fronts, stressing 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.
Welcoming Governor Kefas into the APC, Shettima described leadership as the courage to match reality with purpose.
“Leadership, at its core, is the courage to align destiny with reality. He understands that governance is not an act of isolation, but an act of partnership. That progress is faster when vision meets structure,” he said.
Represented by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, Senate President Godswill Akpabio congratulated the Taraba governor, describing his defection as a strategic choice for the state’s future.
“By this decision, progress is brought to the state. This will enhance agriculture, infrastructure, and the economy of Taraba state,” Barau stated, adding that the National Assembly fully supports the move.
Also speaking, APC National Chairman, Nantawe Yilwatda, expressed appreciation to Kefas for what he described as rescuing Taraba from “the sinking PDP”.
“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 said.
In his remarks, Governor Kefas said his decision to join the APC was driven by purpose rather than political calculation or nostalgia.
He acknowledged that while some might interpret the move as ambition or political deviation, his choice was motivated by the need to secure opportunities for the youth, improve infrastructure, support elders and advance the overall development of Taraba State.
The governor emphasised that aligning with the centre was necessary for Taraba to fully benefit from the policies and programmes of President Tinubu’s administration.
What you should know
Governor Agbu Kefas’ defection from the opposition to the ruling APC marks a significant political shift in Taraba State and reflects the broader realignments ahead of future elections.
The APC leadership views Taraba as a strategic state due to its agricultural capacity, natural resources and role in national stability.
The Tinubu administration is positioning the ruling party as an inclusive platform, using defections to reinforce national cohesion while consolidating political influence across regions.
