A former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on Monday explained why he boycotted a meeting convened by Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State at the Government House in Jalingo.
Mamman, a governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), told journalists that his decision was based on concerns about fairness and neutrality in the ongoing political process.
The meeting, held on May 2, 2026, brought together aspirants vying for various elective positions, including seats in the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and the governorship.
Discussions, DAILY POST learnt, focused on the possibility of adopting consensus candidates within the party ahead of the elections.
However, Mamman said he found it inappropriate for the governor, who is also a contender in the governorship race, to preside over such a gathering.
“Since I am also in the race for the Taraba State governorship election alongside the governor, I chose to abstain from the meeting so as not to allow him to preside over and possibly influence decisions against me,” he said.
He also questioned the choice of venue, describing the Government House as unsuitable for a meeting involving competing aspirants.
Mamman, who highlighted his role in the formation and growth of the APC in the state, said his political experience and contributions to the party’s development position him as a strong contender, particularly in any consensus arrangement.
“I am one of the founding figures of the party in Taraba State. I helped bring the structure from the Congress for Progressive Change into what later became the APC. I am qualified to contest for governor based on my experience, seniority, and contributions,” he added.
The development, observers said, underscores growing tensions within the party in Taraba as aspirants jostle for influence ahead of the governorship race.
