Ibrahim Shuaibu in Dutse
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has declared that the opposition in the state has effectively collapsed following the defection of prominent political leaders and thousands of their supporters from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and other opposition parties into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor made the declaration while receiving separate batches of defectors at the Government House in Dutse on Thursday, describing the wave of defections as a significant political realignment and a reflection of growing public confidence in his administration’s leadership and development agenda.
Among the defectors were the entire Jigawa State leadership structure of the NNPP led by Alhaji Shehu Garu, over 500 PDP members from Maigatari Local Government Area led by Hon. Safiyanu Arab, and 1,212 PDP members from Kaugama Local Government Area led by the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Kaugama.
Addressing the gathering, Namadi described the defection of the NNPP’s leadership across all 27 local government areas as a defining moment in the state’s political evolution.
“Today, the entire structure of the NNPP in Jigawa State, across all 27 local government areas, has collapsed into the APC. Therefore, there is no longer any issue about the NNPP, ADC or any other party; they have all ceased to exist here,” the governor said.
He commended the leadership of the APC in the state for strengthening the party’s grassroots presence and expanding its political base, assuring the new members that they would enjoy equal rights and opportunities within the party.
“Those of you who have just joined the APC and those of us who have always been in the party are one and the same. We are united as members of one family,” he added.
Speaking on the defection of the 1,212 PDP members from Kaugama, the governor described the development as a strong endorsement of the APC and its programmes.
“Having 1,212 people return to the APC at the same time is no small achievement,” he noted.
Namadi assured the defectors of fairness, justice and equal treatment, stressing that his administration would continue to uphold inclusive governance irrespective of political affiliation.
“We will treat you with fairness and uphold the trust you have placed in us,” he said.
He also urged existing APC members across the state to embrace the new entrants and integrate them fully into the party structure, noting that they came with substantial grassroots support.
The governor further expressed confidence that the defectors would not regret their decision, while reaffirming that every resident of Jigawa State deserves equal access to government services regardless of political affiliation.
“As governor of Jigawa State, every resident of the state is entitled to my attention and responsibility. The same applies to every local government chairman, who has a duty to serve every citizen under his jurisdiction,” he said.
Explaining the reasons behind the NNPP’s decision to join the APC, the party’s former state leader, Alhaji Shehu Garu, attributed the move to what he described as Namadi’s statesmanship, fairness and commitment to the development of Jigawa State.
He said the governor’s leadership had inspired confidence across the state and placed Jigawa on a path of sustainable growth and progress.
Similarly, Hon. Safiyanu Arab, who led more than 500 PDP members from Maigatari into the APC, said the governor’s inclusive style of governance, respect for political opponents and commitment to youth empowerment influenced their decision.
According to him, the current administration has fostered a political atmosphere where opposition members are treated with dignity and government programmes are implemented without partisan discrimination.