Taraba APC expels Senator-elect Jimkuta over anti-party activities

The crisis in the Taraba State chapter of the All Progressives Congress took a dramatic turn over the weekend following the expulsion of senator-elect, David Jimkuta by the Takum Local government chapter of the party.

The expulsion, which is contained in a circular signed by 21 out of the 27 local government executive members of the party, was stated to be based on allegations of gross anti-party activities.

In a letter dated April 7th, 2023 signed by the party’s council chairman, Hon. Sirajo Sallau, the expulsion followed due deliberation of the report of the disciplinary committee set up to investigate the allegations against the senator-elect.

The letter read partly, “The Takum Local Government executive committee of our party, after due deliberation of the report of the disciplinary committee set up to investigate allegations of gross anti-party activities against Hon. Jimkuta David as provided under article 21(B) (i) -(vi) of the All Progressives Congress, as recommended by the disciplinary committee found Jimkuta guilty of the allegations.

“The anti-party activities forming the bases of this action include; sponsorship and openly campaigning for a rival political party, the People’s Democratic Party in Taraba state and its governorship candidate.

“Open express and tacit denunciation of the All Progressives Congress and its governorship candidate and open canvassing of votes for the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate.”

When contacted, the Senator-elect, David Jimkuta, simply said, “Those who signed the purported expulsion document are not members of the party. So, I don’t care.”

The PUNCH reports that there was a running battle over the Senatorial ticket of the Taraba South in the APC between the senator-elect who belongs to the David Sabo Kente’s camp and the member representing Wukari/Ibi federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Usman Danjuma Shiddi, who belongs to the camp of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha.

Jimkuta who dragged Usman Danjuma Shiddi to court over the conduct of the primary won at the Appeal Court and Supreme Court, after first losing at the trial court.