David Sabo Kente, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State, has stepped aside from the party’s gubernatorial race, citing the need to preserve political stability and unity in the state.
Speaking at a press briefing in Jalingo on Wednesday, Kente said the decision followed extensive consultations with stakeholders across religious, political, and ethnic divides within and outside the state.
“I have called you once again to announce a very important decision my team and I have taken after consultation with various stakeholders across the state and beyond,” he told journalists.
Kente said his initial entry into the race was driven by pressure from the people of the state who felt the current administration had fallen short of expectations. According to him, his popularity and acceptance in parts of the state, demonstrated by large turnouts during visits to Wukari and Jalingo, showed strong public desire for change.
He disclosed that Governor Agbu Kefas visited him shortly after his arrival in Jalingo and appealed for space to complete his remaining four-year tenure. Kente said he requested time to consult with his supporters before responding.
“While I was still consulting, I have come under immense pressure lately from leaders across religious, political, and ethnic divides both within and outside the State who clamour for political stability of our dear state and party,” he said.
Kente also expressed concern over the conduct of the ongoing APC primaries in the state, saying he had concluded that “nothing good can possibly come out of it.”
After consulting with supporters who funded his expression of interest and nomination forms, he announced his withdrawal from the contest. He stressed that the decision was not influenced by any inducement.
“Let me emphasise here that no one has ‘settled’ me. My decision is strictly in the interest of political stability, peace, and unity of our party and the entire Taraba State. This is not for any personal gain,” Kente said.
He added that he had already invested significantly in the campaign but chose to prioritize the people’s interest over personal ambition.
Kente urged his supporters to remain calm, stay loyal to the APC, and work for the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which he said had good intentions for Taraba and Nigeria.
“As the days go by, I will be in touch to give us clear direction and will stay committed to the cause of a greater, better, and more prosperous Taraba and Nigeria at large,” he said.
