Kaigama Returns to PDP Amidst Jubilation in Taraba
By Chuwang Dungs, Jalingo
Members and officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Kaigama Ward in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, were in jubilant mood following the return to the party of a former Member of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Kenan Kaigama, who declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other opposition parties in the state are “docile”.
The decampee along with his supporters were received amidst fanfare at the party’s ward office in Garba Chede by elated officials, stakeholders and supporters who stated that the PDP is now better positioned in the area.
Kaigama, who was a member of the PDP before decamping to contest the last House of Representatives election to represent Gassol/Bali under the SDP, told party faithful that it was a mistake to have left the PDP for the SDP.
He pointed out that the PDP represents a broader platform and that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other opposition parties in Taraba are not.
According to him, the “docile nature” of the opposition has forced many of their members to defect to PDP.
He said “despite touting itself as the ruling party at the center, the APC has lost its bearing as the major opposition party in Taraba.
Mr Kaigama said “Since the APC and other political parties lost in the last election, they became irrelevant in the state.
“The APC in Taraba does not understand the role of the opposition and has since been struggling to survive amidst leadership crisis
“The APC being the party ruling at the center is supposed to lead a formidable opposition structure in the state to engage the government in constructive criticism.
“Yes, the PDP have been ruling the state since the inception of democracy in 1999, that doesn’t mean that the other political parties should not speak when things are not right.
“People should not wait to showcase themselves as opposition only during elections, checking and engaging government with objective criticisms is also part of opposition,” he said.
“The silent of the APC and other political parties in the state is causing them a lot, they are losing membership, public support and sympathy
“Since the opposition is not serious in the state, I felt their is the need for me as a young man to return to my former party, and see how we can assist the governor in bringing development to the state, instead of staying outside with politicians that are not serious in the development of the state, but only in fighting for power during elections.
“So I’m back, first of all, to continue to serve the party and contribute my quota to the progress and success of the PDP administration at all levels.
“My decision to return to the party has started yielding results, as you can see I just donated an office accommodation for the PDP youth vanguard in my ward
“My coming to PDP will bring me closer to my people because they have lost faith in the opposition,” Mr Kaigama said.
