By Yusuf Salihu Sansani, Jalingo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State says its campaign machinery for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Agbu Kefas has already been activated ahead of the formal commencement of campaigns for the 2027 elections.
The party said it had begun mobilising support groups, party members and other stakeholders across the state in preparation for the campaigns.
The APC State Publicity Secretary, Aaron Artimas, disclosed this while speaking with Apex News Exclusive in Jalingo, the state capital.
Artimas said the party decided to commence its preparations early to ensure that its campaign structures were properly organised and coordinated before the official campaign period.
According to him, more than 30 support groups are currently campaigning for President Tinubu and Governor Kefas across different parts of the state.
He said the party was working to bring the various groups under a coordinated structure to ensure consistency in their messaging.
«“Campaigns for the President and the Governor are going on simultaneously in earnest in terms of consultation, organisation and coordination. There are more than 30 support groups campaigning for both President Tinubu and the Governor in their various localities.»
«“We are trying to harmonise all the supporting groups under one umbrella and ensure that the messages they are sending out are precise and concise.”»
The APC spokesman explained that Governor Kefas had been designated chairman of the campaign organisation for President Tinubu in Taraba State, while additional campaign structures covering different sectors of society were being put in place.
He said the various committees and subcommittees would soon be inaugurated to consolidate the mobilisation efforts already underway across the state.
Artimas described the campaign structure as an organised process involving the party leadership and stakeholders at different levels.
He said the APC had already established committees through consultations and coordination, adding that the structures had commenced operations ahead of the formal inauguration of the campaign council.
According to him, the party had also been informally promoting the achievements of the Tinubu administration in Taraba State before the formal campaign structures were announced.
He claimed that several influential individuals and support groups had approached the party expressing interest in supporting the President and Governor.
«“With over ten support groups coming to the party state secretariat in large numbers with the lists of their executives and members and their locations, we have already penetrated the entire gamut of Taraba State, from wards to local governments.»
«“Members of the party are already working for the President and the Governor, as well as other candidates of the party across the state.”»
Artimas further claimed that the APC had structures across the state and was taking steps to strengthen its chances in the 2027 elections.
APC Defends Kefas’ Executive Order On Electoral Violence
Reacting to the executive order recently signed by Governor Kefas on electoral violence, Artimas said the APC had no interest in political violence and would rather rely on its support base and campaign messages.
He argued that political contests should be centred on issues rather than confrontation, while accusing some opposition supporters of resorting to social media attacks against the President and Governor.
«“We have no reason to fight anybody. It is not a matter of fighting but a matter of support. Just be campaigning on issues; that is the best,” he said.»
The APC spokesman said the party believed political differences should not translate into violence, stressing that its members were focused on mobilising support for its candidates.
APC Lists Ongoing Projects
Artimas also defended the Kefas administration against criticism over the pace of development across the state.
He cited the Wukari-Kente-Chinkai road project and other ongoing infrastructure projects as evidence of what he described as the administration’s gradual progress.
He also mentioned the flyover project in Wukari and associated road projects, arguing that major infrastructure projects could not all be completed simultaneously.
He urged residents and critics to visit project sites and assess developments before making claims about the performance of the administration.
«“Progress is gradual. The much-talked-about Wukari-Kente-Chinkai road project is nearly completed. Very soon, motorists will be able to travel from Jalingo to Abuja in a jiffy.»
«“People should move around and see things for themselves before falsely castigating the government. You don’t sit in one place and say nothing is happening under the leadership of Governor Agbu Kefas.”»
He said the party would continue its mobilisation and coordination efforts across Taraba State ahead of the formal commencement of the 2027 campaigns.
