Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Suffers Shocking Defeat in Taraba State By-Election
In a surprise turn of events, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State, Nigeria, has suffered a significant loss in the recently concluded Karim-Lamido 1 State Constituency by-election. According to Stephen Othaniel, a former Secretary of the PDP in Taraba State, the party’s defeat can be attributed to a lack of leadership direction and the poor performance of the current administration.
Speaking to journalists in Jalingo, Othaniel explained that the PDP’s poor showing at the poll was a direct result of the people’s loss of trust in the party. He cited the example of a former PDP lawmaker who resigned his seat to take up a commissioner position, abandoning the mandate given to him by the people. “Ordinarily, PDP would have won the election without stress because Karim has always been a PDP stronghold,” Othaniel said. “But the people lost trust, and this is a clear indication that they are no longer satisfied with the party’s performance.”
Othaniel also pointed fingers at Governor Agbu Kefas, whom he accused of poor performance in his first two years in office. Despite receiving high federal allocations and taking on significant debt, the administration has failed to deliver meaningful development in the state, he claimed. “It has never been this bad since the creation of Taraba,” Othaniel said. “With the highest allocation and borrowing, the governor has done practically nothing. The people have spoken, and this is not just about Karim; this is a statewide message ahead of 2027.”
However, Othaniel was quick to praise the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for conducting a credible and peaceful bye-election. He noted that security operatives arrested individuals attempting to disrupt the process, including a sitting lawmaker allegedly caught attempting to snatch ballot papers. “Generally, the election was free, fair, and credible,” Othaniel said. “INEC followed the electoral act, and I’d give them an 85 percent pass mark. The security personnel were also impressive, proactive, and professional.”
In a stern warning, Othaniel criticized the governor’s response to the worsening security situation in the state, claiming that his inaction has further alienated the public and contributed to the protest votes seen in the bye-election. “People are losing confidence,” he said. “The insecurity is worsening, and the government has shown little interest in addressing it. The election result is the people’s way of expressing their frustration.”
The defeat of the PDP in the Karim-Lamido 1 State Constituency by-election serves as a wake-up call for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. As the party struggles to regain the trust of the people, it remains to be seen whether it will take concrete steps to address the concerns raised by Othaniel and the electorate.
