Former House of Representatives member for Wukari/Ibi Federal Constituency, Shiddi Danjuma Usman, has finally broken his silence on why he dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The former member, who was answering questions from journalists on Monday via telephone, cited loss of faith in the party’s internal democratic processes and its departure from core values as one of the major reasons behind his exit from the party.
Shiddi, who represented the constituency in the 8th and 9th National Assembly, it would be recalled, made the announcement recently.
He said his decision followed “deep thought and careful reflection” on the current state of the party and its leadership direction.
“Since joining the APC in 2020, I have served with unwavering loyalty and commitment. But I have come to terms with a difficult truth: there is a widening gap between my values, the needs of the people I represent, and the realities within the party,” he said.
His resignation was observed to have followed a lingering discontent over the fallout of the controversial 2023 APC primaries for the Taraba South Senatorial seat, where Shiddi was widely regarded as the party’s leading contender.
Despite receiving initial recognition as the party’s candidate, his nomination was challenged by Senator David Jimkuta, who alleged irregularities in the primary process.
The legal dispute escalated to the Supreme Court, which ultimately ruled in favour of Jimkuta, invalidating Shiddi’s candidacy. Reacting to the judgment, Shiddi described the decision as a “miscarriage of justice” and accused the party of undermining the will of the people.
“The people of Taraba South overwhelmingly voted for me, even across party lines. I defeated the PDP’s candidate, former governor Darius Ishaku, in nearly all local governments. But APC’s internal wrangling and court verdicts denied the people their choice,” he said.
Despite the political setback, Shiddi said he remains focused on the future and committed to public service. He disclosed that he is currently holding wide-ranging consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections, but declined to reveal his next political affiliation.
“I am in active consultations. My people are solidly behind me, and I am determined to lead them to victory in 2027,” he said.
His exit from the APC, as noted by Daily Post, is expected to significantly alter the political dynamics in Taraba State, particularly in the southern region, where he continues to wield considerable influence.
“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,” Shiddi emphasized.
