The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in Taraba State for the 2027 election, Danjuma Usman Shiddi, has called on the state government to account for public loans and provide details of mineral resources seized from suspected illegal mining operations.

Shiddi said the ongoing industrial action at Taraba State University (TSU) had raised questions about the government’s priorities, particularly its commitment to education and the welfare of university lecturers and students.

In a press statement issued on weekend ,the APGA candidate questioned how the state government could continue to promote its free education policy while lecturers were demanding their entitlements and students remained at home due to the strike.

He argued that free education could not be considered successful without quality teaching, motivated lecturers, adequate learning facilities and a stable academic calendar.

According to him, education must go beyond political promises and translate into meaningful investments that improve learning outcomes and secure the future of students.

Shiddi also questioned the management of the state’s financial resources, citing federal allocations, internally generated revenue and borrowing arrangements.

He called on the government to publish a comprehensive account of loans obtained, their approved purposes, amounts disbursed and projects executed with the funds.

The APGA candidate asked the government to provide evidence of the projects and measurable benefits delivered through the loans, saying residents deserved transparency in the management of public finances.

Questions seized mineral resources
Shiddi also raised concerns over the handling of mineral resources reportedly seized from suspected illegal mining operations in Taraba state.

He listed gold, sapphire, beryl and other precious minerals among the state’s natural resources, arguing that their management required proper documentation and transparent oversight.

He called on the relevant authorities to disclose the quantities of minerals seized, their verified weights, classifications and independently assessed market values.

The candidate further asked the government to explain where the minerals were being kept, identify the agencies responsible for their custody and disclose whether any had been sold, transferred, forfeited or otherwise disposed of.

He also demanded details of revenue recovered through fines, penalties, forfeitures and other enforcement measures linked to illegal mining, including the government accounts into which such proceeds had been paid.

Shiddi urged the authorities to publish a comprehensive inventory of recovered minerals and provide records showing their lawful custody and disposition.

He stressed that his questions were not allegations of established wrongdoing against any individual or institution but demands for accountability in the management of public resources.

On the university strike, Shiddi urged the state government to engage university authorities and relevant academic unions to resolve the dispute.

He said lecturers deserved fair treatment and timely payment of their legitimate entitlements, while students needed uninterrupted academic programmes and functional learning facilities.

He also expressed concern over the impact of the prolonged disruption on students and parents, urging the government to demonstrate its commitment to education through practical action.

According to him, the state’s education policy should be assessed not only by promises of free education but also by improvements in teaching, infrastructure and academic stability.

Shiddi maintained that public accountability should not be interpreted as hostility towards the government, describing it as an essential responsibility of democratic leadership.

He called for transparent management of public revenue, proper documentation of recovered assets and accountability for every loan obtained in the name of Taraba state.

The APGA candidate urged residents to demand responsible leadership and use democratic processes to hold public officials accountable, insisting that the state’s human and natural resources should translate into tangible benefits for its people.