INDUSTRIAL ACTION: Danji SS Demands Accountability Over TSU Strike, Taraba’s Loans, Seized Minerals.

By Political Correspondent [Jalingo Times], October 15, 2026.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in Taraba State for the 2027 election, Hon. Danjuma Usman Shiddi, popularly known as Danji SS, has called on the Taraba State Government to account for public loans and revenues while urgently resolving the ongoing industrial action at Taraba State University (TSU).

Shiddi said the strike, which has disrupted academic activities and left students uncertain about their academic future, raised questions about the state government's priorities, particularly amid its promotion of a free education policy.

In a personal press statement issued on Thursday, October 15, 2026, the APGA candidate argued that free education would remain incomplete without quality teaching, adequate learning facilities, motivated lecturers and a stable academic calendar.

He urged the government to engage sincerely with the university authorities and relevant academic unions to resolve the industrial dispute, stressing that lecturers deserved their lawful entitlements while students and parents needed assurances of uninterrupted academic programmes.

Shiddi also questioned the management of public finances in the state, citing federal allocations, internally generated revenue and borrowing arrangements. He demanded a comprehensive account of loans obtained by the government, their approved purposes, amounts disbursed and projects executed with the funds.

He asked the government to provide verifiable evidence of the benefits such loans had delivered to ordinary citizens, insisting that public borrowing must translate into measurable development outcomes.

The opposition politician further raised concerns over reports of minerals seized from suspected illegal mining operations in Taraba, including gold, sapphire, beryl and other valuable resources.

He called on the relevant state and federal authorities to disclose the quantities of minerals recovered, their independently verified market values, current custodians and any transactions or disposals involving the assets.

According to him, the public also deserves information on funds recovered through fines, penalties and forfeitures linked to illegal mining, including the government accounts into which such proceeds were paid.

While citing illustrative international market prices for gold and sapphire, Shiddi clarified that the figures in his statement were estimates and did not represent verified valuations of minerals seized in the state.

He maintained that his questions were not allegations of established wrongdoing against any individual or institution but legitimate demands for transparency in the management of public assets.

The APGA candidate called for the publication of a comprehensive inventory of recovered minerals, documentation of their lawful custody and disposition, and a transparent account of associated financial recoveries.

Shiddi said governance should be measured by its impact on citizens rather than political promises, adding that every public loan, recovered asset and naira of government revenue must be properly accounted for.

He urged Tarabans to demand responsible leadership and use the democratic process to promote transparency, quality education and improved public services.

“Taraba deserves better. Our children deserve better. Our future deserves better,” he said, calling for leadership that prioritises citizens' welfare and delivers tangible results.