DUTSE — Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has declared that the political opposition in the state has effectively collapsed following the mass defection of executive leaders and thousands of members from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other opposition platforms into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Namadi made the declaration at the Government House in Dutse while formally receiving batches of defectors from across the state’s 27 local government areas.
Among those who officially joined the ruling party were the entire 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, presented by the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Kaugama.
Addressing the new party members, Governor Namadi stated that the collapse of opposition structures reflects growing public confidence in his administration’s governance model and socio-economic policies.
“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,” Governor Namadi declared.
“We are grateful to the leadership of the APC in the state for their untiring commitment and determination to ensure that the APC continues to expand its presence across every part of Jigawa State. Today, 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 shift from Kaugama, the governor described the return of 1,212 former PDP members in a single block as a milestone that underscores the deepening acceptance of the APC at the grassroots. He assured all returnees and new entrants of equal rights, justice, and participation within the party and government.
“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,” Namadi emphasized, urging existing APC stalwarts to integrate the new entrants without discrimination.
Explaining the rationale behind the NNPP’s decision to dissolve its structures into the ruling party, former NNPP state leader Alhaji Shehu Garu stated that Governor Namadi’s inclusive leadership and developmental achievements inspired the move.
“We have joined the APC because of the many positive qualities we have seen in your leadership—your statesmanship, maturity, and exemplary guidance of the people of Jigawa State,” Garu noted. “The people across Jigawa State are proud of your administration because it is founded on justice, compassion, generosity, and a genuine commitment to progress.”
Similarly, Hon. Safiyanu Arab, who led the Maigatari PDP defectors, cited the administration’s non-partisan approach to public policy and focus on youth employment as key drivers for their decision.
“Even during the period when we were in government, there has never been a time when members of the opposition were treated with as much respect, dignity, fairness, and tolerance as they are today,” Arab stated. “Government programmes and projects are implemented without political discrimination.”
The major realignment further consolidates the APC’s political stronghold across Jigawa State as the ruling party expands its grassroots network ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
