Saleh Mamman, a former Power minister, skipped a crucial APC meeting in Taraba State on Monday. He cited concerns about fairness and the governor's potential influence over the process.
Governor Agbu Kefas convened the gathering at the Government House in Jalingo on May 2, 2026. Aspirants for various positions — from state assembly to the senate — attended to discuss consensus candidates.
Mamman is himself running for governor under the APC banner. He told reporters the arrangement felt deeply flawed from the start.
"Since I'm also contesting for Taraba's governorship alongside the governor, I had to stay away," Mamman explained to journalists. He worried Kefas might use his position to push decisions that would hurt his own candidacy.
Beyond the personal conflict, Mamman questioned the venue choice entirely. Using the Government House for a meeting between competing aspirants struck him as inappropriate and biased.
Mamman emphasized his long history with the party in the state. He noted he'd been instrumental in transforming the old Congress for Progressive Change structure into today's APC.
"I'm one of the founding figures here," he told reporters at the time. "My experience, seniority, and what I've built for this party make me a strong contender in any consensus arrangement."
His experience includes major roles in Nigeria's power sector and national politics. Party watchers say this makes him a heavyweight in any gubernatorial race.
Political observers see Mamman's boycott as a sign of deeper rifts within Taraba's APC. Aspirants are increasingly jostling for advantage ahead of the crucial governorship contest.
The tension reflects how high stakes have become in the state. Multiple camps within the party are now competing for leverage and dominance.
