2027: IKENYA WILL BE ON THE BALLOT, AGABI DECLARES
Says Tarabans know “real political puppets,” insists courts will determine authentic PDP candidate
A supporter of Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya, Hon. Mbatudi Agabi, has declared that the former minister will be on the ballot for the 2027 Taraba State governorship election, insisting that the ongoing leadership and candidate disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will ultimately be settled by the courts.
Agabi made the declaration in a strongly worded response to Mr. Joshua Nafinji, who had reportedly described Ikenya as a political puppet and linked his governorship ambition to Governor Agbu Kefas.
He dismissed the allegation, arguing instead that Tarabans were capable of identifying politicians who, in his view, were being influenced by powerful interests outside the state.
“Tarabans know who the puppets are. Tarabans know who pulled the strings that tore the PDP apart. And Tarabans know those who deliberately set fire to the largest opposition party and are now pretending to be its firefighters,” Agabi said.
He accused political forces associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of contributing to divisions within the PDP, particularly during the crisis that preceded the 2023 presidential election.
According to Agabi, the disagreement involving Wike and the then G5 governors weakened the PDP ahead of the election and contributed to internal divisions within the opposition party.
He questioned what he described as the contradiction of Wike remaining a member of the PDP while serving as a minister in an APC-led Federal Government.
Agabi also referred to the prolonged political disagreement between Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, arguing that Taraba should avoid importing a political culture dominated by godfatherism and struggles for control.
“Is this the political model they want imported into Taraba? Is Taraba to become another battlefield for political godfathers fighting for control? Absolutely not,” he said.
AGABI TURNS PUPPET ALLEGATION ON BWACHA CAMP
Responding directly to the allegation that Ikenya was acting as a proxy for Governor Kefas, Agabi challenged Nafinji to explain the political relationships surrounding the camp of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha.
He alleged that some political actors claiming allegiance to the PDP were simultaneously supporting the APC at the presidential level, describing the situation as contradictory.
Agabi asked why politicians confident in the legitimacy and electoral strength of their PDP platform would, at the same time, mobilise support for an APC presidential candidate.
“What does that tell Tarabans? It tells us that actions speak louder than political declarations,” he said.
He added that the development raised questions about whether the PDP platform was being used to advance interests beyond those of the opposition party.
Agabi maintained that the PDP in Taraba could not be controlled by any individual or political bloc outside the state.
“The PDP belongs to its members, not to Nyesom Wike, not to Senator Bwacha, and certainly not to any political godfather sitting in Abuja,” he declared.
According to him, the political future of Taraba must ultimately be determined by the people of the state rather than external political interests.
“LET THE COURTS DECIDE”
Agabi said the dispute over the authentic PDP leadership and governorship ticket should be allowed to run through the judicial process rather than being determined through political statements.
He expressed confidence in the PDP structure led by Ambassador Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, saying supporters of Ikenya believed the courts would eventually resolve the competing claims within the party.
“The courts will determine the authentic and legitimate candidate of the PDP. The courts will determine which faction, structure and candidate are legally recognised,” he said.
“Nobody should attempt to substitute political propaganda for judicial determination. Let the legal process run its course. Let the courts speak.”
“IKENYA WILL BE ON THE BALLOT”
Despite the continuing legal battle, Agabi expressed confidence that Ikenya would eventually contest the 2027 governorship election.
“Let there be no ambiguity about one thing: Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya will be on the ballot,” he declared.
According to him, Ikenya would contest on the strength of his political experience, public service record and relationship with the people of Taraba rather than as an instrument of any political godfather.
He highlighted Ikenya’s previous service as a legislator and minister, arguing that the former senator possessed both legislative and executive experience that could be deployed in governing Taraba State.
Agabi described Ikenya as a “beacon of hope, experience and purposeful leadership” to his supporters and said his governorship ambition was centred on the future of Taraba State.
TARABANS WILL HAVE FINAL SAY
Agabi further cautioned Ikenya’s political opponents against equating political influence with grassroots support, maintaining that voters were closely watching developments within the PDP.
He said the ultimate battle would be fought on two fronts — the courts determining the legal questions surrounding the PDP ticket and Taraba voters deciding the political question at the polls.
“The courts will decide the legal question. The people will decide the political question,” Agabi said.
He maintained that Tarabans would eventually judge the contenders based on their records, loyalty, integrity and contributions to the development of the state.
“Let the courts speak. Let the authentic PDP candidate emerge. Let Tarabans decide,” he concluded.
