I Gained Nothing In All Progressives Congress, – Ex-minister

A former minister from Taraba State, Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya, said despite his service and sacrifices to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last 10 years, the party added no value to his political career.

The former minister, who recently resigned from the party and returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said APC only drained  his resources and left him with nothing to show.

Ikenya, in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP, noted that those joining APC are doing so to escape accounting for how they utilised the resources placed under their care and securing President Bola Tinubu’s protection.

He however denied dumping APC for PDP because of an ambition to contest the Taraba State governorship position.

He said all the times he contested elections in APC, he ended up spending all his  resources while the ticket was snatched away from him.

“It was so intense in 2015 and 2019, that I thought being in the party that never added value to me, I shouldn’t remain there, and leave the party that has been everything to me. I shouldn’t even contemplate taking any negative steps.

“I should come back to the party that made me and exposed me to who I am today,” the former minister said.

Ikenya said the claim that joining APC would attract development to the state is a lie that shouldn’t be told by any right thinking person.

“Politics in Nigeria is a platform, is about Ideology. APC is not the party that, until you join before you attract development. Development can only come when you are prepared to develop your state.

“Development is not about the party. If you compare Taraba State with other states like Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno and other PDP and APC states, you will agree with me. Fintri in Yola is doing very well.

“If you are not determined to develop your state, you wouldn’t get it right, even if you are in APC, because from the beginning Mr. President has never withheld any resources or allocation because you are in the PDP. He has never done that.

“So, the issue of telling people that, it is only when you are in APC before you develop the state is an issue that nobody in his right senses can tell us. They should tell us something better,” he explained.

The former minister, who faulted the reasons behind defections of politicians to APC, said Tinubu, being a democrat and a former opposition leader, cannot succumb to sentiments detrimental to the people’s wishes.

“It is rather unfortunate that most people are joining APC so that their sins can be forgiven. Others assumed that Mr. President is going to manipulate election results in their favour while some believe that they will run into trouble with the EFCC after their tenure in office has elapsed.

“The best bet for the country is for people to have a choice at whatever levels, people should be able to choose their leader, not because of their party, but because of who they are,” he added.

When asked if his governorship ambition was the reason for his defection, Ikenya explained that, “Well, that is assumption. It may not be true, it may be true, because even in APC, there will be primary and neither Mr. President, the party at the national level promised Governor Kefas automatic ticket.

“If I am going to run for election, I am still consulting, I have not taking my stand and if the people feel that I should do that, I will oblige them. The issue is about the people and our state,” he said.