By Terna Chikpa
Supporters of the former Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, have expressed concern over the prolonged silence of the All Progressives Congress leadership in Taraba State on their complaints following the governorship primary.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, the supporters said the leadership’s silence was deepening anger among party members, which could affect the party’s chances of winning the governorship in the forthcoming election.
Nigerian Tribune reports that rather than defecting or launching an overt rebellion, Sambo’s decision to remain in the ruling party has created an internal dilemma for the party’s leadership, which is facing mounting calls to resolve the lingering primary petitions.
Sources close to the political heavyweight indicated that Sambo’s decision to stay in the party, despite the unresolved grievances, had disarmed party executives who were reportedly expecting a routine defection.
Political analysts argued that his refusal to leave the party had prevented the APC from dismissing his supporters as disgruntled defectors.
According to observers, this may have informed the recent visit of the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, to the state, where he celebrated his birthday and engaged party stakeholders as the 2027 general election draws closer.
Tribune also reports that Sambo had recently dismissed rumours of his exit from the party, asserting his position as a founding pillar of the APC.
By staying in the party, his camp has maintained internal leverage, forcing the APC leadership to either formally address the primary petition or risk entering the general election cycle with a deeply fractured structure.
Party loyalists have also warned that ignoring internal electoral disputes could undermine the APC’s democratic credentials in Taraba.
However, reacting to the development, the Publicity Secretary of the Taraba APC, Mr Aaron Artimas, said the party wanted a united front going into the general election.
Artimas said this informed the inauguration of reconciliation committees across the three senatorial zones on Monday.
He urged all aggrieved members to embrace dialogue and work with the party to ensure that the APC approached the forthcoming elections as one family.