Major renovations across Jalingo, Taraba State, are fueling speculation of defection of Governor Agbu Kefas from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
The Jolly Nyame Stadium, abandoned for decades, is now undergoing extensive refurbishment. Fresh paint, structural repairs, and construction crews working with urgency have transformed the once dilapidated facility within weeks.
Roads across the state capital are also being repaired. Pothole ridden streets, long considered hazardous by residents, are receiving attention after years of neglect.
Bulldozers have been deployed to patch craters and smooth major routes, prompting some residents to comment on the sudden surge in infrastructural activity.
Political symbols in the city are shifting. PDP billboards have been removed, leaving empty frames where party branding once stood, and flags displaying party allegiance have been lowered.
Sources told our reporter that the renovations and changes are part of efforts to impress top APC leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President, one of whom is expected to oversee the official defection ceremony scheduled for November 19.
However, the developments have drawn criticism from political analysts, who described them as “reactive governance.”
They questioned why the stadium and other public infrastructure were neglected for decades, only to receive attention ahead of a political event.
Analysts who spoke , also warned that the newly repaired roads may be abandoned after the defection ceremony concludes.
“Our fear is that after the fanfare fades, these projects may not be sustained,” one analyst said.
Workers involved in the renovations confirmed that they have been instructed to complete all major works before November 17, with many working extended hours to meet the deadline.
Meanwhile, broom sellers, whose products represent the APC symbol, have reported increased sales as some PDP supporters begin switching allegiances. “We’ve never sold this many,” one vendor said.
As the defection date approaches, residents are closely watching the unfolding developments. Whether the renovations and changes will endure beyond the political event remains uncertain.