APC, PDP CLASH OVER PURPORTED ICHEN ENDORSEMENT OF KEFAS
JALINGO — A political controversy has erupted in Taraba State over an alleged endorsement of Governor Agbu Kefas by the Ichen community ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The controversy followed a meeting between the Director-General of the Dr. Agbu Kefas Re-Election Campaign Council 2027 and Deputy Director, South, Hon. Bulus Mai Yaki, and leaders and members of the Ichen community at his residence in Jalingo on Monday, September 14, 2026.
According to a statement from the campaign council, the engagement was organised by the Ichen community in collaboration with the Kefas Progressive Movement 2027, led by Elder Assemboh Tanko Shamakhi.
The campaign council said discussions centred on the political future of Taraba State and the need for communities to support leadership that would serve the interests of the state.
It further claimed that the Ichen community reaffirmed its commitment to the re-election of Governor Agbu Kefas and the success of APC candidates across the state.
However, the Ichen Cultural and Development Association (ICADA) Worldwide has distanced itself from the purported endorsement.
In a statement dated September 14, 2026, and signed by its Acting National President, Sabo Dinya Kpengyua, ICADA said a group claiming to speak on behalf of the Ichen people had announced its endorsement of Governor Kefas without a mandate from the association.
ICADA stressed that the group had no authority to speak or act on behalf of the Ichen people and that its position should not be interpreted as the position of ICADA or the entire Ichen community.
The association said while individuals and groups have the right to express political preferences, no one should claim that “the entire Ichen” has endorsed a candidate.
ICADA added that any collective position it may take ahead of the 2027 political process would only be reached after broad and inclusive consultations with Ichen clans and relevant stakeholders.
The association therefore urged members of the Ichen community to disregard the purported endorsement and cautioned individuals and groups against using the name of the Ichen people or ICADA to advance personal or political interests without authorisation.
The development has effectively created a conflicting narrative over whether the Ichen community has collectively endorsed Governor Kefas, with the campaign council presenting the engagement as an expression of support, while ICADA insists that no official community-wide endorsement has been made.
ICADA said it remains committed to unity, consultation and the protection of the collective interests and dignity of the Ichen people.
