President Bola Tinubu has formally handed over Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, for proper initiation into the ruling party.

Governor Kefas disclosed this on Thursday during a meeting with APC youths and stakeholders at the T.Y. Danjuma House in Abuja. He revealed that President Tinubu had acknowledged his intention to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and had approved the move through a formal letter.

According to the governor, the handover to Yilwatda marked the beginning of his full integration into the APC, with preparations already underway for his official unveiling in Taraba State.

Comrade Abubakar Gembo, who spoke after the meeting, said APC youths were ready to welcome the governor, describing the planned defection as a “major boost” for the party in the state.

“Governor Kefas called us to inform us of his readiness to join our great party, the APC. He told us he had met with President Tinubu, who received him and handed him over to the national chairman,” Gembo said.

He added that Kefas assured the youths of inclusiveness in his administration — a trait he said had been evident even during his time with the PDP.

Similarly, the Chairman of the APC Youth Vanguard in Taraba State, Idris Ayuba, confirmed that the defection process had been “perfected” at the national level, pending formal reception at the ward, local government, and state levels.

Ayuba urged party members and youths to rally behind the governor, describing him as a “youth-friendly leader” with a strong commitment to empowerment and inclusion.

The Publicity Secretary of the Taraba State APC Youth Vanguard, Rikwense Muri, also issued a statement confirming the development. He said the governor met with key APC youth leaders and influencers to strategize on building a united political front for the accelerated transformation of the state through closer collaboration with the federal government.

“Taraba can no longer afford to remain isolated from the mainstream of national politics,” Muri quoted Kefas as saying. “My decision to realign politically is guided by the need to ensure greater development, improved security, and increased federal presence in our state. I am putting Taraba first.”

The APC youth stakeholders commended Governor Kefas for his “foresight, courage, and commitment” to prioritizing the collective interest of Tarabians above partisan considerations.

Dr. Agbu Kefas was elected governor in 2023 under the PDP, which has governed Taraba State since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.