All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain has criticised the party over the hardship faced by Nigerians in all ramifications, which has been attributed to a lack of focus and good governance at all levels.

The assertion was made by an APC chieftain and founding member, Hon. Aminu Mohammed Danmaliki, who announced his defection from the party to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

Aminu Danmaliki made the announcement on Saturday while formally declaring for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) at Majidadi B Ward in Bauchi, where he announced his resignation from the APC.

The former APC stalwart expressed optimism that Nigeria could overcome poverty and restore citizens’ dignity through honest leadership, prudent management of resources, and policies that place the welfare of the people above every other interest.

He further said that the primary responsibility of government is to improve the welfare of citizens, stressing that it was never established to make life more difficult for the people.

According to him, worsening economic hardship across the country informed his decision to leave the ruling party and embrace the PRP, which he described as a platform committed to social justice and people-centred governance.

“The government was never created to make life harder for the people. The government exists to protect, empower, and uplift the people,” he said.

He lamented that many Nigerians were battling rising hardship, with families struggling to feed themselves, graduates unable to secure jobs, farmers facing uncertainty despite their efforts, and small businesses fighting for survival.

“These are not statistics. These are human lives. These are our brothers and sisters. These are our neighbours,” he added.

Aminu Danmaliki said his decision to defect followed “careful reflection, sincere consultation and prayerful consideration,” noting that it was driven by principles rather than political convenience.

He stressed that “Today Is not simply about changing political parties. It is about choosing principles over convenience, conviction over comfort, and the people over power.”

The former federal lawmaker explained that he left the APC without bitterness or malice but with the conviction that leadership must respond to the needs and aspirations of the people.

He described the PRP as more than a political platform, saying it represents a philosophy rooted in public service, accountability, quality education, affordable healthcare, rural development, and economic opportunity.

“The measure of a government is not the number of powerful people it serves, but the number of ordinary people whose lives it transforms,” he stated.

Aminu Danmaliki said Bauchi State possesses vast agricultural, human, and mineral resources capable of driving development but argued that the state has been constrained by the absence of purposeful leadership and the consistent implementation of people-oriented policies.

Reflecting on his public service, he said he had remained committed to improving lives as a journalist, former Commissioner for Information, member of the House of Representatives, entrepreneur, current President of the Bauchi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA), and founder of educational and healthcare institutions.

He also declared support for the PRP governorship candidate, Senator Shehu Buba Umar, describing him as “a man of courage, vision and commitment.”

Aminu Danmaliki pledged to deploy his experience and political network towards ensuring the PRP’s success in the 2027 governorship election in Bauchi State.

He called on youths, women, farmers, artisans, traders, professionals, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to join what he described as a movement focused on development rather than division.

He also urged politicians to prioritise issue-based campaigns, saying, “Let us debate ideas, not insults. Let us build bridges, not walls. Let us replace politics of division with politics of development, and empty promises with measurable performance.” (Nigerian Tribune)

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