By: John Mkom, Jalingo
Former Taraba State Governor Jolly Nyame says his relationship with Governor Agbu Kefas remains intact, despite recent political friction over the All Progressives Congress (APC) Taraba North senatorial ticket.
Nyame made the remarks after a surprise visit to Kefas at the TY Danjuma House in Jalingo, a move that caught many political actors off guard.
The meeting comes weeks after tensions flared between the two APC leaders over the party’s ticket for Taraba North. Nyame had sought to succeed Senator Shuaibu Lau, who is eyeing a fourth term in 2027. He accused the party of denying him an automatic ticket and later secured a PDP nomination form to pursue the seat.
As APC leader in the state, Kefas was seen as central to the decision. Nyame had believed their relationship was strong enough to secure his endorsement.
The fallout stirred ethnic and religious calculations ahead of 2027. Nyame, a Mumuye from the most populous group in Taraba North, said his people felt sidelined in the state’s politics despite their voting strength.
The Mumuye cut across Zing, Yoro, Ardo-Kola, Lau, and Jalingo local government areas.
Last week, Nyame hosted 2023 APC governorship candidate Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha, who recently defected to the PDP. Bwacha was in Nyame’s home to woo him after hearing that his APC senatorial bid had collapsed.
Many in the Mumuye community have expressed anger over the development, arguing that Nyame should succeed Lau, who has spent 12 years in the Senate.
Monday’s meeting appears to have eased tensions.
"Whatever has happened has happened. We have resolved it. The platform I contest on – PDP, APC, APN – is not the problem. My relationship with the governor is what matters. As far as I am concerned, I have no problem,” Nyame told reporters after the meeting.
Kefas confirmed the reconciliation, calling Nyame “our leader” and saying he had not withdrawn support for his second-term bid.
“This is not the first time we have been meeting. One of the reasons is to clear doubts and mischief. We have understanding among ourselves,” Kefas said.
He stressed unity, saying peace and security in Taraba were the result of collective effort.
The governor added: “We can’t afford to break, fight, or be divided. We must come together for one purpose: Taraba, Taraba, and Taraba.”(The Nation)
