Ex-Taraba Lawmaker Usman Dumps APC

A former lawmaker that represented Wukari/Ibi Federal Constituency of Taraba State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Shiddi Danjuma Usman has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Usman cited disenchantment with the party’s internal politics and failure to uphold democratic principles as his reason for dumping the party.

Shiddi, who represented the constituency in the 8th and 9th National Assembly, made the disclosure in a telephone interview with journalists on Sunday.

The ex-lawmaker said his decision to dump the ruling party followed months of reflection and growing concerns about what he described as the APC’s drift from the values that once inspired him to join.

“After deep thought and careful reflection, I resigned as a member of the All Progressives Congress. Since joining the APC in 2020, I have served with unwavering loyalty and commitment,” he said.

“Over time, I have come to terms with a difficult truth: there is a growing disconnect between my convictions, the realities I observe, and the actual needs of the people I represent,” he added.

In the lead-up to the 2023 general elections, the former lawmaker contested the Taraba South Senatorial ticket on the platform of the APC.

However, a series of internal disputes within the APC led to a legal tussle over the party’s authentic candidate for the election.

Despite initially being recognised by the party, Shiddi’s nomination was later challenged in court by a rival aspirant, Senator David Jimkuta, who claimed irregularities in the party’s primary process.

The matter was contested up to the Supreme Court, which eventually ruled in favour of Jimkuta, declaring him the validly nominated candidate of the APC.

The ruling effectively removed Shiddi from the ballot, despite what he described as overwhelming support from voters during the general election.

“I leave without bitterness only with the belief that the next chapter must be written in alignment with the aspirations of those I serve. The struggle for justice, accountability, and development continues,” he said.

However, the former lawmaker has not disclosed his next political base even as contentions for the 2027 general elections heightened with the opposition threatening to unseat the ruling APC from power.