Party Members Protest Kefas’ Endorsement of Incumbent APC Lawmakers

— Back One-Term Return Policy
— Taraba North Rejects Lau, Warns APC of Electoral Backlash

A growing wave of dissent has trailed the decision of Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, to endorse all incumbent lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as consensus candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement, which was announced during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Governor’s residence in Jalingo, has exposed deep cracks within the party, particularly in the Northern Senatorial Zone, where party members and constituents have openly rejected the move.

The meeting, which brought together supporters and coordinators of Senator Sani Abubakar Danladi from the northern zone, was expected to consolidate party unity ahead of the next electoral cycle. Instead, it has triggered a backlash from stakeholders who argue that the blanket endorsement ignores the performance records of elected officials.

Investigations by Taraba Truth and Facts reveal that several party members are canvassing a “one-term return” policy, insisting that underperforming lawmakers should not be recycled.

In Taraba North, the endorsement of Senator Shuaibu Isah Lau has drawn the strongest criticism, with stakeholders accusing the lawmaker of failing to deliver meaningful development to the district.

A prominent stakeholder from Karim Lamido Local Government Area, Hon. Paul Penuel, described the senator’s tenure as “a complete failure,” alleging that there is no visible evidence of achievements to justify his return bid.

According to Penuel, “there is no record of impactful projects, no policy footprint, and nothing measurable that can be presented to the people as justification for another term.”

Similarly, a constituent, Mr. Dickson Kwinde, condemned the endorsement, warning that repeating what he termed a “costly political mistake” could further alienate voters in the zone.

“A mistake like this must never be repeated. The people of Taraba North cannot continue to be taken for granted,” he said, adding that the district has suffered prolonged neglect due to what he described as poor representation.

Kwinde further noted that the lack of development across the senatorial district has eroded public confidence, stressing that the electorate is now demanding accountability and tangible results.

Echoing similar sentiments, a youth group under the banner of the Coalition of Concerned Youths and Voice of the Proletariat in Karim Lamido also rejected Senator Lau’s candidature.

In a statement signed by its convener, Godwin Danladi Karim, the group declared the senator “unacceptable” for any future electoral contest, citing what it called an “absence of track record and performance.”

“We categorically state that we do not support Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau for any position. As far as we are concerned, he has nothing to show for his years in office and does not deserve another mandate,” the statement read.

The group warned that imposing candidates without regard to grassroots opinion could cost the APC dearly in the 2027 elections, particularly in Taraba North where dissatisfaction appears to be deepening.

Political observers say the controversy surrounding the Governor’s endorsement underscores the broader challenge facing the APC in Taraba State — balancing party cohesion with growing demands for accountability and performance-based representation.

As the 2027 elections approach, the unfolding developments suggest that internal party resistance, if not carefully managed, could reshape the political landscape in the state.