Ibi Ward Leaders Reject Hon. Ayuba Zaku’s Re-Election Bid

 

 

A coalition of political leaders drawn from the four wards that constitute Ibi main town in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State has rejected the re-election bid of Hon. Ayuba Aboki Zaku Dampar, the Member representing Ibi/Wukari Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

 

The group accused the lawmaker of poor performance, lack of effective representation, and arrogance in leadership.

 

In a statement issued by the coalition leader, Mallam Salihu Dan Azumi of Rimi Uku I Ward, the leaders called on Governor Agbu Kefas, as the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State and the federal constituency, to intervene and ensure that Hon. Zaku is not imposed on them as the party's candidate.

 

According to the group, presenting Zaku again as the party's flag bearer could negatively affect the governor's own re-election prospects.

 

Mallam Dan Azumi stated that Hon. Zaku has failed to demonstrate effective leadership, alleging that in over three years at the National Assembly he has sponsored only one bill — a proposal seeking the establishment of a Federal College of Education — which has not progressed beyond second reading. He described the bill as a "Greek gift" allegedly designed to divert public attention from what he termed an unproductive tenure.

 

Speaking separately, Solomon Asogya from Nwonyo II Ward criticized the lawmaker for his alleged silence following the killing of over ten indigenes of Ibi in a southern state by suspected IPOB elements. He claimed the lawmaker neither moved a motion on the matter nor issued a strong public statement sympathizing with affected families.

 

Danladi Abdullahi of Nwonyo I Ward further accused Hon. Zaku of distancing himself from the people of Ibi town, noting that he neither maintains a residence in the town nor actively participates in community festivities. He expressed disappointment that during the last Ramadan and Sallahcelebrations, the lawmaker allegedly failed to provide support or palliatives to constituents, unlike representatives in other federal constituencies.

 

Also speaking, Sani Dantoro Kasuwa of Rimi Uku II Ward alleged that the people were dissatisfied with what he described as the lawmaker's arrogant disposition and divisive leadership style. He stated that constituents would no longer accept "the tranquilizing drug of gradualism" from a representative they believe treats them with contempt.

 

The coalition warned that any attempt to return Hon. Zaku as the party's candidate for a second term could trigger political backlash, insisting that the people may withdraw support not only from the lawmaker but also from the ruling party if their concerns are ignored.