By Ben Adaji Jalingo
Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and former governorship candidate in Taraba State, Chief David Sabo Kente, yesterday turned down the request of his supporters to purchase forms for him to contest the governorship in 2027.
Our correspondent reports that representatives of supporters and political associates of Kente Political Organisation across the 16 local government areas of the state had yesterday gathered in Wukari to endorse Chief Kente and purchase the nomination form for him to run for the office of the governor.
Kente, however, turned down the offer, nothing that the essence of the meeting was for the forum to review where they are coming from and chart a way forward, including reviewing the performance of the government at the state level.
Over 300 delegates, including former and new state officials of the party from the 16 local government areas, expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas.
Most of the speakers at the meeting argued that old members of the party were sidelined by the Kefas administration, while chieftains of APC who had invested their personal resources to build the party over the years were being neglected and excluded from the affairs of the party.
The forum warned that APC members in the state may be compelled to support candidate(s) of their choice if the party fails to carry them along.
Other speakers demanded equal sharing of appointments between the old and new members of the party, arguing that the present appointees were those who accompanied the governor from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Kente, during the meeting, appreciated the gesture, but noted that the Central and Northern zones allowed the Southern zone to occupy the Jalingo Government House for 12 years and it is expected to complete 16 years before another power shift.
“So it will be insensitive for us to start seeking another eight years. I am still making serious consultations with various stakeholders from within and outside the state before I take my next line of action.”
He therefore urged the people to support President Bola Tinubu to win the forthcoming general elections so as to consolidate on his developmental programmes.
“I am an advocate of togetherness, as well as social and political justice. That is why I want to commend the people of the Central and Northern Zones for supporting the Southern part to govern for eight years under Darius Ishaku and now additional four years under Dr Kefas.
“Since we, from the Southern zone, have enjoyed the support of both the Central and Northern zones, it is only fair that we also support them and prove that we value our togetherness as a state”, he said.
He urged the forum to channel their energy towards mobilising the people for the ongoing e-registration since elections are a product of numbers and the number of votes will decide who would lead or provide leadership.
Our correspondent reports that calls have been coming from various political groups urging Kente to run for the office of the governor of Taraba State in 2027.
However, he had argued that though he was part of those instrumental to the election of the incumbent governor, he is making consultations on the next line of action.
According to him, ” what is happening in Taraba State is suggestive of a sole administrator presiding over the affairs of a state under a democratically elected government,” he said.
Chief Kente had been called upon by three various groups to contest the 2027 general elections against the incumbent governor who hails from the same local government area.
Investigations revealed that many Taraba citizens are not happy with the performance of the present government, describing the governor as “Father Promise and Fail”.
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