By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa state has, at last broke his silence on the reported row within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The governor, who returned to the state from his three-week vacation outside the country from Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries, expressed concern about the story of alleged differences among some personalities in the ruling APC in the state.
The governor’s declaration is coming amidst weeks of speculation in both social and mainstream media of alleged rivalry contest between him and his predecessor and Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.
Addressing thousands of residents who turned out to give him a rousing reception en route Aminu Kano International Airport (AKTH), the governor, however, appealed to the people of the state to remain peaceful and law-abiding as always and all times.
He confirmed that in his absence, certain developments occurred, which he found concerning, where some individuals attempted to sow discord among party adherents in the state.
His words, “However, during my absence, certain things happened that I didn’t like as a person. For instance, in APC, we have one party in Jigawa State, and I am committed to maintaining that unity. As leaders, we must remain focused and not allow ourselves to be distracted,” he said.
“We have a mandate, and we need to continue executing that mandate. Nothing should derail us from the mission given to us by the people of Jigawa.”
“Not only that, but as a people, we also need to exercise patience with ourselves. There are always groups of people who don’t want things to go well. Whenever progress is being made in ways they don’t like, they try to create confusion and instability. We must not allow such people to succeed.”
Namad, who acknowledged that in every human settings like that of the APC, there were bound to be differences and disagreements, but pleaded that such differences be handled in such a way that would not disrupt the peace being enjoyed I’m the state.
According to him, Jigawa was noted for peaceful and orderly conduct in all circumstances, noting that nothing should be done to bring bad blood in both the party and the state in general
He emphasized the importance of unity within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa state, calling on party members and leaders to remain focused and avoid distractions.
The governor expressed gratitude to the people of Jigawa for their warm reception, stating that it was a testimony to their love, care, and unalloyed support.
“It was unprecedented, actually, the way it happened. Perhaps because this is the first time I’ve been away from the state for almost 18 days, I believe that’s why people were eager to see me. I think that’s what motivated them to come out and welcome me. I truly appreciate it—I really do. It shows a sign of love and care, and I think that has strengthened my resolve to continue building and doing more for the people.”
“So, I believe the reason for this overwhelming reception is that they have been missing me for such a long time, and that is why they came out in large numbers.”
He said, despite being on annual leave, the governor revealed that he remained actively engaged in discussions on initiatives for the development of the state, disclosing that he held virtual meetings that are beneficial to the state and explored investment opportunities in the Middle East.
“Yes, it was an annual leave, but it was also a working leave. During that time, I held discussions with my team. I had about two virtual meetings with them while I was away. We discussed various issues, including potential investors in the Middle East. I had conversations with some of them, and I instructed my team to prepare the necessary groundwork for their arrival.”
“Some of these investors are set to arrive in the state soon, particularly to invest in agriculture. Others are planning to invest in a modern abattoir, which will significantly boost economic activities in Jigawa. These were some of the key discussions I had during my absence.”
He reiterated his unwavering desire and commitment to seeing to the progress and development of Jigawa State as part of fulfilling his electoral promise.
“Wherever we are, we always strive to ensure that we are putting something beneficial in place for Jigawa because that is part of our mandate. So, even though I was on leave, I remained committed to fulfilling my responsibilities to the state.”
Namadi then praised the people of Jigawa State for their dedication to maintaining peace, unity, and respect for one another, urging them to uphold this lofty virtue.
“Jigawa people are peace-loving individuals, and I urge everyone to continue being their brother’s keeper. Together, we can achieve greatness and ensure a brighter future for our state.”
