By Ndahi Marama, MAIDUGURI
The member representing Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency of Borno State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dr. Usman Midala Balami, has explained his decision to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Accord Party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Balami, who is Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Communications, said his decision followed consultations with political leaders, stakeholders, supporters, friends and family.
He said his move was also motivated by his desire to pursue legislative initiatives in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, technology, research, security, constitutional reform and regional development.
In his resignation letter to the National Assembly dated June 15, 2026, Balami, who copied the APC chairman of his local government and had the letter endorsed by his ward chairman, Hon. Adamu Isa, said he resigned from the APC with immediate effect.
“After due consultations with leaders across political parties, as well as friends, family, and loved ones, I have found it necessary to tender my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect,” he stated.
He attributed his decision to what he described as the failure of the party to conduct credible, free, fair and transparent primary elections that would give aspirants equal opportunity to participate.
Balami said the situation prompted him to stay out of the process rather than participate in what he considered an unfair contest.
He, however, expressed appreciation to the APC and its leadership for the opportunity and platform provided during his time in the party.
“I sincerely appreciate the APC and its leadership for the opportunity, privilege, and platform accorded to me, which contributed immensely to my personal growth and service to humanity,” he said.
The lawmaker, whose name recently appeared on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) list of candidates under the Accord Party, said his emergence as the party’s candidate followed the support of party leaders, stakeholders and constituents.
Balami, who is seeking re-election for a second term, said his focus would be to consolidate the achievements recorded during his first term.
He said his constituents had become more focused on candidates’ performance than political affiliation.
“Democracy is now at its peak, and they will only vote for candidates based on what he or she was able to do, irrespective of political inclination,” he said.
Balami said that during his time in the National Assembly, he had facilitated projects and initiatives aimed at improving the socio-economic wellbeing of constituents.
According to him, these included the provision of boreholes and classroom blocks, improved healthcare services, job creation, youth and women empowerment, as well as agricultural support programmes.
He listed free distribution of fertilisers, irrigation facilities, pesticides and other farming inputs among the initiatives he said he had facilitated.
The lawmaker also cited several bills and proposals he said he had sponsored or facilitated, including the proposed Federal College of Science and Health Technology, Askira-Uba (HB 279); Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Hawul (HB 280); Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Hawul (HB 1797); Federal College of Fisheries and Apiculture (HB 1798); Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Azare (HB 1959); and Lassa Fever Research Institute, Askira (HB 1960).
He said the significance of the proposed institutions went beyond the bills themselves, arguing that their implementation could provide education and skills training, create jobs, attract research funding and stimulate economic activity in the constituency.
“This is the concrete case for re-election and continuity: a second term can give me the experience and the opportunity to take unfinished legislative work further, follow up with ministries and agencies, advocate for budgetary provisions, monitor implementation, attract additional federal programmes, and use relationships and knowledge already developed in the National Assembly to secure better outcomes for Askira/Hawul,” Balami said.
He said his constituents had urged him to seek re-election regardless of the political platform, adding that he had accepted the call to contest under the Accord Party.
“That is why my people are calling on me to recontest the same position on any political platform, which I have decided to heed to their clarion call on the platform of the Accord Party,” he said.
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