The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has described the decision of the Taraba state governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC as the most significant political gain attracted to the state.

Speaking on Saturday at a reception organised to mark Governor Kefas’ defection, the APC chairman said Taraba State stands to benefit immensely from aligning with the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

He maintained that Governor Kefas “did nothing wrong” by joining the APC, noting that the party offers a lifeline to the people of the state. He therefore urged those yet to join the APC to follow the governor’s path in the interest of development.

The party chairman assured members that both new and existing APC members enjoy equal rights, stressing that the party’s leadership would continue to work to strengthen its presence across the country, including by attracting governors from other political parties.

In his remarks, Governor Kefas, who appeared visibly elated, said his decision to join the APC was deliberate and driven by the need to connect Taraba State with the federal government.

“This move is not for me but for the people of Taraba State,” the governor said, adding that unity among the people was essential for his administration to deliver the dividends of democracy.

“We must align with the centre to benefit from all that is needed for our development. I am not here for survival but for service. I will not abandon our mandate; rather, I will strengthen it because Taraba is open for progress,” he stated.

Earlier, Vice President Kashim Shettima described Governor Kefas’ defection to the APC as “personally touching,” noting that the governor had made the right decision.

He called on the people of Taraba State to rally behind the governor to facilitate the state’s much-needed development.

The official defection ceremony, as observed by our correspondent, attracted several top political figures to the state, including APC governors, members of the National Assembly, ministers, and other party leaders.