A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governorship candidate, Chief David Sabo Kente, has explained why he declined an offer by his supporters to purchase the party’s nomination form for him ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Kente made his position known yesterday in Wukari local government council of Taraba state during a stakeholders’ meeting, where his political associates from the 16 local government areas of the state gathered to endorse his potential candidacy.

The meeting, as noted by The Guardian, drew over 300 delegates, including former and serving party officials, and also served as a platform to review political developments in the state.

While appreciating the gesture, Kente said the essence of the meeting was to assess the current political situation and strategise for the future, stressing that accepting such an offer at this stage would be premature, noting tbat,
fairness and respect for the principle of power rotation should guide political decisions in the state.

According to him, the Central and Northern zones had supported the Southern zone to occupy the Government House in Jalingo for more than a decade, making it unjust to push for an extension beyond the expected tenure.

“It will be insensitive for us to begin to push for another possible eight years,” Kente said, adding that he is still consulting widely with stakeholders within and outside the state before taking a final decision.

The meeting also witnessed strong criticism of the administration of governor Agbu Kefas, as several speakers expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as the marginalisation of long-standing APC members.

Participants alleged that party loyalists who contributed significantly to the growth of the APC in the state were being sidelined, while appointments were largely given to new entrants into the party. They warned that continued exclusion could force aggrieved members to support alternative candidates in future elections.

The forum further called for equitable distribution of political appointments between old and new members to foster unity within the party.

Kente urged party faithful to remain united and focus on grassroots mobilisation, particularly the ongoing voter registration exercise. He emphasised that electoral victory depends largely on active participation and voter turnout.

He also called for continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that sustained backing would help consolidate ongoing development efforts at the national level.

Kente, who has been under increasing pressure from various groups to contest the 2027 governorship election, reiterated that consultations are ongoing.

While acknowledging his role in the emergence of the current administration, he criticised the style of governance in the state, describing it as resembling “a sole administrator presiding over a democratic system.”