Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the Chief of Staff to Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Monday in Kaduna dumped the All Progressives Congress.
Baba-Ahmed, a former Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission, said he had informed his ward chairman of his intention to leave the party.
The former INEC scribe said it was “a painful decision” to have left a party he helped to form and contributed to put in power.
He gave APC’s “poor performance” as one of his reasons for dumping the party, adding that his decision to leave the party should not be linked to his principal, Saraki.
He, however, said he was not leaving the party to join another party but noted that he would be in politics, saying that it remained “the only way to salvage Nigeria.”
Baba-Ahmed, who addressed a press conference in Kaduna, said: “This statement is to inform the public of my resignation from the All Progressives Congress. I have sent a formal letter to this effect to chairman of my ward.
“This has been a very difficult decision, to leave a party I helped form and made my humble contributions to put in power.
“After three years, however, I need to say that APC has grossly under-performed, and has forfeited any claim to my loyalty and continued membership.
“I do not believe, in all conscience, that it should be trusted and encouraged to continue to govern our great country beyond 2019.
“I am not leaving to join another party. This is my decision, and mine alone. It has nothing to do with the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“It is a decision taken with due consultation with the Akida Group (APC), a group that has predated my appointment as Chief of Staff to the President of the Senate.
“I will remain active in politics, as this is the main avenue for salvaging our nation from rising insecurity, poverty and bitter divisions.
“I am grateful for the opportunities I had to chair the Congress for Progressives Change and APC in Kaduna State and I wish all our leaders God’s guidance.”
