Two-term Commissioner and former Chairman of Kanam Local Government Area in Plateau State, Hon. Dayyabu Garga, has explained that he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) due to the lack of state government presence in his community and dissatisfaction with local politics.
Hon. Garga, who was part of the APC-led administration under former Governor Simon Lalong for eight years, told journalists that his community was frustrated by the absence of development, despite their support for the APC and his appointments.
“When I was appointed commissioner, my people were overjoyed, expecting that my position in government would bring projects to our community, but nothing materialized. Even when I was elected as local government chairman, there was still no government presence. If you visit my area, you’d feel sympathetic for the lack of progress.”
He further revealed that internal conflicts within the APC, particularly at the local level, contributed to his defection. “Certain individuals in my local APC hold everyone to ransom. If you don’t conform to their expectations, they completely ignore you, no matter your position.”
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Garga recounted that as the chairman of his local government, he was supposed to be the leader of the party in the council. However, he was regularly sidelined. “APC would call for a meeting in my local government, and I wouldn’t be invited. I’d only hear about it afterward.”
Since joining the party in 2015, he said he had always been treated like a “second-class citizen” by those who believed they controlled the party. “They think they can dictate to everyone and do whatever they please.”
He highlighted instances where his community was left out of key decisions, citing a recent example where the local APC chairman passed away. Despite the chairman being from his ward, Garga was not consulted in discussions about his replacement, which angered his supporters.
After consulting with his followers and other APC stalwarts in the area, Garga and many others decided to leave the party.
He added that while local politics played a significant role in his decision to leave, the state’s party leadership was also at fault for being inactive. “Why are six of our assembly members still not inaugurated, yet they continue to roam the streets?” he asked.
