Former PDP Chair Assumes Leadership of APC in Taraba

The appointment of Abubakar Bawa, the former chairperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the new chair of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State was achieved not through an open election but as a result of weeks of closed discussions, political negotiations, and elite consensus, according to reports from PREMIUM TIMES.

During the APC state congress in Jalingo on Tuesday evening, Bawa was announced as the new chairperson along with other officials in the State Working Committee (SWC). Notably, no voting occurred during this process.

Sources within the party informed PREMIUM TIMES that the congress simply ratified decisions that had already been made by leaders following a series of consultations initiated after Governor Agbu Kefas switched allegiance from the PDP to the APC.

Bawa had made his defection to the APC public on February 2 during a rally in Jalingo where Governor Kefas officially registered Taraba with the ruling party at the national level. This rally, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, marked a significant shift in the political landscape of the state.

Insiders indicated that Bawa's transition was accompanied by promises to reorganize the APC structure to reflect the new power dynamics created by the governor's defection.

A senior APC official, speaking anonymously, remarked, "The congress was merely a formality. The crucial decisions were made well before the delegates gathered at the venue."

Party leaders noted that a consensus approach was taken to avoid factional disputes that could jeopardize the APC’s prospects in future elections. Several individuals who had previously shown interest in the chairmanship were persuaded to withdraw following negotiations with influential party members at both state and national levels.

Another party source revealed that there was a concern that holding a competitive election could lead to distrust between longstanding APC members and new arrivals from the PDP. "There was apprehension that an election could revive past grievances. The strategy was to allocate positions and maintain unity, even at the expense of some loyal party members," the source explained.

Governor Kefas publicly endorsed the process, referring to it as peaceful and inclusive, urging the newly appointed executives to focus on fairness, transparency, and engaging with grassroots members.

However, some critics from within the party have expressed concerns regarding Bawa’s ascension, with certain founding members feeling marginalized by the choice of a previous opposition leader as chairperson.

“This is a strategy of inclusivity,” commented an unnamed APC official. “But the risk is that loyal party members may feel sidelined and undervalued.”

The recent development highlights the increasing role of political defections and elite bargaining in shaping party leadership, especially in states experiencing rapid political changes.

While party leaders assert that the consensus decision will fortify the APC’s position in Taraba, analysts suggest that the real challenge will be the new leadership's ability to address internal dissent and foster unity as the next elections approach. The congress has validated one clear fact: in the Taraba APC, leadership was determined not by votes but through negotiation.