***As Thousands Defect to APC
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has issued a strong political warning to opposition lawmakers in the state, asking them to “start counting their days” in office as the All Progressives Congress (APC) gains momentum with thousands of defections.
Speaking during the Jigawa State Government Citizens Engagement Programme (JSGCEP), tagged “Gwamnati da Jama’a”, held at the Jigawa State Sports Complex in Dutse, the governor welcomed over 3,502 defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the ruling APC.
Governor Namadi specifically targeted the PDP senator representing Jigawa Southwest, two members of the House of Representatives, and the only PDP state assembly member from the state. He said their time in the National and State Assemblies was nearing its end, based on the massive grassroots support the APC was receiving.
“With what has happened here today—where over 3,400 PDP members from Dutse alone joined APC—and what we witnessed earlier in Birnin Kudu and Buji, where thousands more crossed over, it is clear that the people of this senatorial zone are ready to vote APC in 2027,” he said.
Namadi attributed the growing popularity of the APC to the widespread execution of development projects in health, education, water supply, road construction, and economic empowerment across the seven local government areas of the zone.
He also delivered a message from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assuring citizens that ongoing projects like the Greater Dutse Water Project and the Kano–Dutse–Damagaram railway line would continue uninterrupted until completion. The governor added that the Kano–Shuwari federal road project had been re-awarded and work was progressing rapidly.
“President Tinubu asked me to reassure the people of Dutse and Jigawa State that his administration will continue to implement transformative projects that will enhance the lives of our citizens,” he said.
Governor Namadi commended the massive turnout and reception by the people, pledging that all development demands submitted during the programme would be reviewed. He promised that those captured in the current budget would be implemented and others would be considered in the next fiscal year.
“We remain committed to delivering on our promises and improving the lives of all residents of Dutse and Jigawa State,” he added.