A former member of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Kenan Kaigama, has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a true representation of democracy and a broader political platform to work for.
Kaigama, speaking on Saturday in Garba Chede, Bali Local Government Area, during the commissioning of the Kaigama Ward PDP office, also criticised opposition parties in Taraba State, labelling them as docile.
The former lawmaker, who previously left the PDP for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), explained his decision to return to the PDP, emphasising its vibrancy and wider appeal.
“It’s a bigger platform and a vibrant party. So, I’m back, first of all, to continue to serve the party and contribute my quota to the progress and victory of the PDP at all levels. As I returned to this party, Bali LGA is now 100 per cent PDP,” he said.
Kaigama noted that his return had rejuvenated the Kaigama Ward, evidenced by the large turnout and calibre of persons who welcomed him back into the party.
“The docile nature of the opposition parties in the state has forced many of their members to defect to the PDP. Despite touting itself as the ruling party at the centre, the APC has lost its bearing as the major opposition party in Taraba,” he added.
Reflecting on his experience in the SDP, under whose platform he contested the House of Representatives seat for Gassol/Bali Constituency in the last election, Kaigama lamented the ineffectiveness of the opposition in the state.
“Since the APC and other political parties lost in the last election, they became irrelevant in the state, without leadership,” he said.
He also criticised the APC for its inability to perform the role of an opposition party effectively, stating:
“The APC in Taraba does not understand the role of the opposition and has since been struggling to survive amidst a leadership crisis. Being the party ruling at the centre, it is supposed to lead a formidable opposition structure in the state to engage the government in constructive criticism.”
“Yes, the PDP has 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 the opposition.
“The silence 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 there is a 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 Taraba but only in fighting for power during elections.
“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 expressed.
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