A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Taraba State, Chief David Sani Kente, has strongly denied widespread rumours suggesting he is behind alleged moves to bring governor Agbu Kefas of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, into the APC.
In a telephone interview with journalists in Jalingo on Monday, Kente, who was the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP for Taraba state in 2015, described the claims as unfounded and damaging to his political reputation.
He clarified that he has not been approached by Governor Kefas regarding any defection plans and maintained that no such discussions have taken place.
“As I speak to you, the governor has not told me that he wants to move to the APC.
“Virtually all the APC members have isolated me over the past two years, and they’ve rejected offers from the national government that were meant for me,” Kente said
Kente lamented that the ongoing rumour had worsened his political standing within the party, with some APC members accusing him of secretly negotiating the governor’s defection.
“They have further damaged my political programmes by alleging that I masterminded the governor’s plans to join the APC,” he added.
The APC stalwart, who hails from the same local government council as Governor Kefas, expressed disappointment that neither he nor other key political figures in Southern Taraba had been consulted about any possible move.
“Just like you’re hearing it as a rumour, that’s how we his close associates in the APC are also hearing it.
“As of now, the governor has not contacted any of us,” Kente said, citing a conversation with Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya, who also denied being informed.
Kente, who had previously vowed not to run against Kefas out of respect, hinted that the evolving political landscape may force him to reconsider that decision.
“Dynamics are changing, and when dynamics change, decisions also change,” he remarked.
Reflecting on his past political efforts, Kente recalled how he and Senator Ikenya worked to establish the APC in Southern Taraba in 2016.
According to him, traditional values within the Jukun community demand mutual respect and consultation, especially on sensitive political decisions like defection.
“In our culture, our brother should have told us if he is thinking of joining our party. But right now, all we know are rumours,” he said.
Kente passionately called APC members to disregard the speculation and stop blaming him for something he insists he knows nothing about.
“If the governor is indeed considering coming to the APC, it is without our knowledge or involvement,” he stated emphatically.