Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has refuted claims made by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, alleging that he did not resign as Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State before contesting the 2023 governorship election.
Wike had argued that Kefas remained in office while running for governor, suggesting that this precedent justified National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu’s refusal to step down before contesting the governorship election in Imo State.
In response, Governor Kefas maintained that he resigned his position in 2022 before declaring his intention to run. To support his claim, he presented official documents, including a letter dated May 17, 2022, addressed to the then PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu. The letter was also copied to the then Taraba State Governor, Arc. Darius Ishaku, and the acting State Chairman of the party.
In contrast, Anyanwu reportedly did not resign as National Secretary before entering the Imo State gubernatorial race, which he eventually lost. After his defeat, Anyanwu returned to the party secretariat to resume his role, an action that has faced stiff resistance from the South East caucus of the PDP.
The South East caucus has since nominated Sunday Udeh Okoye as Anyanwu’s replacement. However, the faction aligned with Wike, of which Anyanwu is considered a key member, has refused to cede the position.
Part of the letter reads, “I wish to use this medium to notify our great party of my resignation from the position of the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Taraba State.
“This is to allow me the necessary time and space required to pursue my aspiration for political office as allowed by the constitution of our great party.
“I sincerely appreciate the rare opportunity given to me to serve at the highest political party office in the state and must also acknowledge the immense support, and encouragement which you gave to me while I occupied the said office.
“I have no doubt that my successor will enjoy the same support and may I use this opportunity to pledge my unalloyed loyalty and continuous support to the party and to also promise to be available anytime my contribution is needed.”
