By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Coalition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has decried what it described as “abysmal governance” under Governor Agbu Kefas and endorsed former lawmaker, Hon. Danjuma Usman Shiddi, for the 2027 Taraba State governorship election.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday in Jalingo, the coalition’s coordinator, Mallam Abubakar Umar Sunkani, said the former National Assembly member who represented Ibi/Wukari Federal Constituency possesses the political will, competence, and moral clarity required to end the era of underperformance and restore dignity, direction, and development to Taraba State.
The group lamented that the Kefas-led administration had taken Taraba State and its citizens for granted, recklessly short-changed them, and mismanaged the future of the state.
“We are here because Taraba State has been taken for granted. Its people have been short-changed, and its future recklessly mismanaged. The Taraba State Government under Governor Kefas has lost focus. The state today stands as a painful example of wasted potential,” the coalition stated.
It expressed concern that despite huge federal allocations, abundant natural resources, and a vibrant youthful population, the state was declining rather than developing.
“With huge federal allocations, abundant natural resources, and a vibrant youthful population, our state ought to be progressing. Instead, it is stagnating.
“Across critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, youth employment, and economic development, the current administration has failed woefully.
“Youth unemployment is rising daily with no strategic response. Governance in Taraba State has been reduced to media noise, staged ceremonies, and hollow propaganda, while the real suffering of the people continues to deepen.
“There is no clear development blueprint, no transformational legacy, and no accountability. A government that cannot boldly defend its record with tangible results has no moral justification to seek continuity. Tarabans should no longer be deceived by slogans,” the group said.
The coalition disclosed that its decision to endorse Hon. Shiddi was aimed at safeguarding the future of Taraba State and its citizens.
“Our decision to endorse Hon. Danjuma Usman Shiddi is a choice between empty promises and proven incompetence on one hand, and courageous leadership rooted in competence and the people’s will on the other.
“Taraba State cannot afford another four years of experimentation, excuses, or recycled failure. Our future cannot be sacrificed on the altar of sentiment, imposition, or political convenience. Leadership is not about occupying office; it is about solving problems, and the present administration has failed that fundamental test,” it added.
The group further stated that after extensive consultations across the sixteen local government areas of the state—engaging youths, students, women’s groups, professionals, community leaders, traditional institutions, and party stakeholders—the Coalition Group of ADC (CGOA), Taraba State Chapter, unanimously resolved to endorse Hon. Danjuma Usman Shiddi as its preferred governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
“This resolution is not symbolic. It is a vote of no confidence in the incumbent government and a resounding endorsement of competence over complacency,” the coalition stressed.
According to the group, Taraba State currently needs a governor who will deliver on the people’s mandate and reposition the state for national and international recognition.
“Taraba State at this time needs a governor who will govern, not advertise governance; a governor who will build institutions, not personal empires, and who will unite the people.
“We are convinced that Hon. Danjuma Usman Shiddi possesses the political will, competence, courage, and moral clarity to end the era of underperformance and restore dignity, direction, and development to Taraba State.
“We call on the national, state, and local leadership of the ADC, as well as all stakeholders, to reject failure and complacency and rally behind a proven, people-centred alternative,” the coalition maintained.
