A retired colonel, Agbu Kefas, has emerged as the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State.
Kefas was elected based on consensus to pioneer the affairs of the party for the next four years at a state congress held on Thursday in Jalingo, the state capital.
Delegates also elected new state officials of the party at the congress which took place at the main bowl of the Jolly Nyame Stadium, in partial compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines.
In his opening remark, the outgoing PDP state chairman, Victor Bala, stated that posterity would not judge them wrongly as they have delivered charitably to the people during their eight-year reign.
He insisted that his administration introduced reforms aimed at repositioning the party to a greater height.
The voting was a seamless process where a total of 1,685 out of the expected 1,980 delegates cast their ballots.
Announcing the results at the end of the congress, the Chairman of the PDP Congress Committee for Taraba, Charles Minigbo, Kefas as the winner of the state chairmanship seat.
The newly elected officials of the party in the state were later inaugurated by the Secretary of the Congress Committee, John Okezie, who urged them to live up to expectations.
In his acceptance speech, Kefas promised that the State Executive Committee would operate an open-door policy and reconcile with aggrieved members.
He also gave an assurance of strengthening the existing structure of the party to boost the chances of winning future elections.
The state governor, Darius Ishaku, who was also present at the Congress stressed that the party was determined to ensure Taraba continues to be a PDP state.
He said, “Our programmes and policies have been designed to benefit all Taraba residents of all facets of life.
“I am also pleased to announce that the congresses at the ward and local government levels were successful and I am encouraged by the maturity, orderliness, and peaceful conduct of all.”
The governor also commended the outgone leadership for solidifying the party’s stronghold in the state and making PDP a party of choice for the residents.
“Let me put it on record that your work is not yet over in our party, as you shall be called upon to give useful advice and sharing of experiences in the years ahead.
“I encourage the party faithful to give the new officials the maximum support and cooperation needed so that they can take the party to an even more enviable position, not only in Taraba, but in the country at large,” he said.
Governor Ishaku congratulated the new party officials and urged them to bring to bear their wealth of experience by encouraging aggrieved members to return.
