BREAKING: A Lot Of People Assume That Since I Am A Muslim, I Will Not Want To Work For A Christian – Jika

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Former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and pioneer chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State, Alhaji Hassan Ardo Jika, has explained the reasons behind his resignation from the ruling party and his decision to align with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to a report published by The Sun on Monday, May 11, 2026, the former diplomat attributed his departure from the APC to what he described as the party’s inability to maintain a structure that values loyalty, dedication, and the sacrifices of long-serving members.

Speaking during a telephone interview on Monday, Jika said his years of commitment to building and strengthening the APC in Taraba State were never adequately recognised by the party leadership. He maintained that despite investing his personal resources, time, and energy into establishing the party’s presence in the state, his contributions were ignored by those occupying influential positions within the organisation.

The former APC stalwart expressed disappointment over what he termed unfair treatment from leaders at both the state and national levels. He argued that the internal management of party affairs had gradually alienated many founding members who played significant roles during the formative years of the APC in Taraba State.

Jika recalled that he was among the early political figures who worked relentlessly to make the party competitive within the state’s political landscape. According to him, the objective at the time was to ensure that the APC gained public acceptance and emerged as a viable political alternative for voters across Taraba.

He stated that the process of building the party was not easy, especially during its early days when many politicians and supporters were reluctant to identify with it because of prevailing perceptions and uncertainties surrounding its future. Despite those challenges, he said he remained committed to the growth and expansion of the party in the state.

The former ambassador further lamented that although he was recognised as one of the founding figures of the APC in Taraba State, he was repeatedly sidelined in crucial party activities and consultations. He claimed that major decisions concerning the party were often taken without his involvement, a development he believed diminished the relevance of those who laid the foundation of the party.

According to him, many individuals who contributed immensely to the establishment of the APC in Taraba State are no longer part of the party’s decision-making structure, while newer members have continued to gain prominence and influence within the organisation.

Jika insisted that his decision to leave the APC was not driven by personal political ambition, but rather by what he described as persistent neglect and disregard for pioneering members of the party.

Reflecting on the political atmosphere that existed when the APC was introduced in Taraba State, he said several people initially distanced themselves from the party because of political sentiments and assumptions tied to religion and regional interests. However, he stressed that he remained focused on promoting inclusiveness and unity within the political system.

He said, “A lot of people assume that since I am a Muslim, I will not want to work for a Christian, and I simply show them that I am not a religious bigot. In fact, I am working with a Christian from the same senatorial zone as the incumbent governor, whom I have severally complained is grossly incompetent. His movement to the APC has not helped in any way so far because all we still have are unfulfilled and new promises.”

His resignation is expected to generate political reactions within Taraba State, particularly among APC supporters and stakeholders who have followed the party’s internal developments over the years. Political observers believe the defection of a founding member such as Jika could influence ongoing political alignments ahead of future electoral contests in the state.