Former Taraba State Governor Jolly Nyame has officially left the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging unfair treatment and marginalisation within the ruling party. The announcement was made during a meeting with PDP governorship aspirant Emmanuel Bwacha, where Nyame declared his return to the opposition party.
Claims of Marginalisation Within APC
A video from the meeting, widely circulated on social media, captured the former governor expressing dissatisfaction with his treatment in the APC. Nyame stated that he no longer felt accommodated despite his contributions to the party. A source familiar with the meeting said: “He made it clear that he was not fairly treated in the APC and that his return to the PDP was a deliberate decision taken in the interest of his people and the development of the state.”
Return to Active Politics Signalled
Nyame, who governed Taraba State from 1999 to 2007, is also reported to have obtained a PDP nomination form to contest the Taraba North senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections. This move signals his renewed involvement in active partisan politics after years away from frontline electoral contests.
Realignments Intensify in Taraba
The defection comes amid growing political repositioning in Taraba State, as key actors align themselves ahead of the next election cycle. Observers note that internal disputes and competing ambitions within parties have contributed to shifting alliances across the state. However, Nyame’s political ambitions could attract scrutiny due to his past corruption conviction, for which he received a presidential pardon in 2020. Party insiders indicate that any challenge regarding his eligibility would ultimately be resolved through legal processes.
