In a significant move highlighting national security concerns, Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has officially postponed his planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This decision comes as a direct response to the recent and distressing kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi State.
A Decision Forged in Tragedy
Governor Kefas described the abduction of the students from Government Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State as a heartbreaking event. He stated that proceeding with political activities, such as his defection rally originally scheduled for 19 November 2025, would be highly inappropriate while families and the entire nation grapple with this tragedy.
In an official statement, the governor extended his deepest sympathies to the families of the abducted girls and conveyed his condolences to the Federal Government. He firmly declared that the safety and well-being of the children are far more important than any political activity. Kefas also made a passionate appeal to security agencies, urging them to redouble their efforts to ensure the safe and swift rescue of all the victims.
Political Realignment on Hold
The governor's defection, a major political event, has now been put on hold pending further consultations and a noticeable improvement in the security situation. This postponement occurs against a backdrop of substantial political shifts within Taraba State. In anticipation of the governor's move, a significant realignment had already taken place.
Within the last 48 hours, the state's entire political structure witnessed a dramatic shift. All PDP members in the State House of Assembly, local government chairmen, cabinet members, and top government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, defected to the APC. This mass move was executed ahead of the governor's own previously announced plan.
Some party chieftains in Taraba have reportedly applauded the governor's decision to postpone the defection rally. They see it as a gesture of solidarity with the people of Kebbi State and the traumatized families of the abducted schoolgirls.
Civil Society Calls for Urgent Action
Meanwhile, the Gender Educators Initiative (GEI) has added its voice to the growing outcry, urging the Federal Government to act swiftly to secure the release of the schoolgirls. The group confirmed that about 25 schoolgirls were abducted by terrorists during the attack, which also claimed the life of a school official.
In a statement issued in Sokoto, the Executive Lead of GEI, Shafa'atu Suleiman, condemned the abduction in the strongest terms. She described the incident as a tragic reminder of the worsening insecurity that continues to put women and children at grave risk across Nigeria's North-West region.
The group called for a coordinated effort between federal authorities, security agencies, and the Kebbi State Government to ensure the immediate rescue of the victims. "This attack is unacceptable. We are calling on the Federal Government to act fast to save our girls," the statement read, warning that any delay would only deepen the trauma experienced by the families and their communities.
GEI also pointed out that this abduction highlights the persistent and dangerous gaps in school safety, particularly in conflict-prone areas. To prevent future tragedies, the organization urged the government to adopt a more proactive, intelligence-led security approach. This includes strengthening the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative with functional perimeter fencing, trained security personnel, and robust early-warning systems in high-risk communities.
