By Nahum Sule, Jalingo
In a dramatic and scathing political intervention, a major coalition within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Taraba State has issued a devastating critique of the incumbent administration, labelling its governance a spectacle of “media noise, staged ceremonies, and hollow propaganda.” The group has concurrently endorsed former House of Representatives member, Hon. Danjuma Usman Shiddi, popularly known as Danji SS, as its preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election, framing the next poll as a decisive referendum on the state’s future.
The ADC Coalition Group (CGOA), Taraba State Chapter, levelled accusations of profound incompetence, a lack of visionary leadership, and systematic mismanagement against the current government during a well-attended press briefing in Jalingo on Monday. The coalition’s coordinator, Mallam Abubakar Umar Sunkani, stated the group was compelled to speak “out of conscience,” asserting that the people of Taraba have been “taken for granted, shortchanged, and recklessly mismanaged.”
“Taraba State stands today as a painful example of wasted potential,” Sunkani declared, addressing assembled journalists and party faithful. “Despite receiving substantial federal allocations, boasting abundant natural resources, and possessing a vibrant, youthful population, our state continues to stagnate. The gap between government pronouncements and the grim reality on the ground has become an unforgivable chasm.”
The coalition presented a detailed indictment of administrative failures across critical sectors. It highlighted the troubling cycle of public infrastructure projects, particularly roads, which are ceremonially flagged off only to be abandoned shortly thereafter. The state of public healthcare was described as dire, with hospitals reportedly lacking essential drugs and functional equipment, thereby betraying the public’s trust. The education sector, according to the group, suffers from acute neglect, with demoralised teachers operating in deteriorating facilities, jeopardising the future of Taraba’s youth.
Furthermore, CGOA criticised the government for its apparent inability to address pressing issues of youth unemployment and pervasive insecurity, which continue to stifle economic development and social cohesion. The group accused the administration of substituting tangible results with a relentless stream of public relations exercises, thereby reducing governance to a superficial performance while the suffering of ordinary citizens deepens.
“The absence of a clear, actionable development blueprint, coupled with a glaring lack of accountability, has stripped this government of any moral justification to seek continuity,” Sunkani asserted. “Governance has been tragically reduced to media noise, staged ceremonies, and hollow propaganda. The 2027 election must, therefore, be a definitive referendum on failure versus progress. Taraba simply cannot afford another four years of experimentation, excuses, or recycled failure.”
Following this robust condemnation, the coalition formally unveiled its political alternative. After what it described as “extensive consultations across all 16 local government areas,” involving youths, women’s groups, professional associations, traditional institutions, and party stakeholders, the CGOA announced its unanimous resolution to endorse Hon. Danjuma Usman Shiddi as the ADC’s standard-bearer for the 2027 gubernatorial race.
The coalition vigorously championed Danji SS’s credentials, citing his electoral prowess and grassroots connection. His two-time successful election to the House of Representatives, representing the Wukari/Ibi Federal Constituency, was highlighted as proof of his political credibility and popular appeal. Significantly, the group emphasised his reputation for achieving electoral victory without reliance on entrenched political godfathers, positioning him as an independent-minded leader attuned to the populace’s needs.
“Hon. Danjuma Usman Shiddi represents a beacon of hope and a tangible alternative,” the coordinator stated. “His record, his accessibility, and his unwavering commitment to the people of Taraba stand in stark contrast to the disconnected leadership we currently endure. He possesses the political strength, integrity, and vision required to catalyse meaningful development and restore purpose to governance in our state.”
The CGOA’s endorsement carries considerable weight within Taraba’s political landscape, signalling significant internal alignment within a key opposition party ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle. The move is calculated to galvanise party structures and sway undecided voters seeking a credible alternative to the status quo.
In a direct appeal, the coalition called upon the ADC national leadership, all party organs, the energetic youth demographic, and “all patriotic Tarabans” to unite behind Shiddi’s candidacy. The group framed the upcoming election as a historic opportunity for redemption, declaring that 2027 must mark “the end of failure and the rebirth of purposeful leadership” in Taraba State.
The public endorsement sets the stage for a fiercely contested gubernatorial race, with the ADC coalition seeking to capitalise on widespread discontent and position Danji SS as the embodiment of reform and effective governance. The coming months are expected to see intensified political manoeuvring as parties solidify their strategies for what promises to be a highly consequential election for the future trajectory of Taraba State.
