A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State, Chief David Sabo Kente, has warned that any attempt to impose candidates on party members under the guise of consensus could destabilise the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kente gave the warning while addressing thousands of supporters in Wukari, his hometown, on Wednesday.
He insisted that transparent primaries remain the only credible path to producing acceptable candidates for governorship, Senate and House of Representatives positions in the state.
The APC chieftain said he had successfully submitted his nomination forms and passed the party’s screening process, declaring himself fully prepared for the governorship primaries.
He expressed confidence in emerging victorious at the polls, stressing that he was not afraid of a competitive contest.
“Why should anybody insist on consensus? I am not afraid of primaries because I have the support and backing of the majority of APC members across the state,” Kente said.
According to him, his decision to join the governorship race followed sustained pressure from supporters and stakeholders across the state who urged him to contest.
“This pressure became overwhelming and I could no longer turn them down. A few weeks ago, stakeholders and leaders from the 16 local government areas of the state converged in Wukari and resolved to use their personal resources to obtain the nomination forms for me to rescue Taraba in 2027,” he stated.
Kente also called on residents of Southern Taraba and Nigerians in general to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office in 2027.
He commended the president for ongoing infrastructure projects in the state, particularly the multi-billion naira Ibbi Bridge project, which he said would further connect Taraba to other parts of the country.
“We should vote President Bola Ahmed Tinubu again in 2027 as we did in 2023. This will enable us to continue enjoying the dividends of democracy, including the completion of the Ibbi Bridge,” he said.
The governorship hopeful also pledged to serve only one term if elected governor, after which he would support the transfer of power to either Taraba Central or Northern senatorial district.
Kente argued that Southern Taraba had held power for too long and that fairness and equity demanded a power shift to other zones of the state.
“As an advocate of zoning, I have resolved to serve for only four years to complete the remaining term of Dr. Kefas if elected, and thereafter return power to either the Northern or Central Senatorial Districts,” he said.
He maintained that rotational leadership remained essential for unity, fairness and peaceful coexistence in Taraba State.