By Solomon OKPO
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has firmly reasserted the authority of governors as the undisputed leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in their respective states, sending a clear political signal that party structures will not be dictated by political godfathers, regardless of their influence.
The President made this declaration on Saturday in Jalingo during the official reception of Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu announced that Governor Kefas, by virtue of his defection, had automatically assumed the leadership of the APC in Taraba State. He stressed that the APC recognises governors as the rallying point of the party at the state level, underscoring his administration’s resolve to strengthen internal party discipline and coherence.
President Tinubu pledged the full support of the Federal Government to Governor Kefas and his administration, expressing confidence in the governor’s capacity to drive development, foster unity, and harmonise the diverse interests within Taraba State.
He commended Kefas for what he described as deliberate efforts to promote peace and inclusiveness, noting that unity remained a prerequisite for sustainable development.
The President’s declaration came amid heightened political tension in Rivers State, where the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, simultaneously hosted a high-profile political gathering in Okrika. Notably absent from the event was Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, an omission widely interpreted as a reflection of the deepening power struggle within the state’s political landscape.
Observers view Tinubu’s statement in Jalingo as a strategic move to draw clear boundaries within the APC, reinforcing gubernatorial authority while subtly pushing back against parallel power centres that have long shaped internal party dynamics.
The Evangelist News
