Former Defence Minister and ex-Jigawa Governor Muhammad Badaru has held high-profile meetings with opposition leaders in the state, fueling fresh speculation about his potential defection from the APC despite public denials.
Badaru met twice within a week with 2023 PDP governorship candidate Mustapha Lamido and former senator Ubale Shitu (ADC), and notably held talks with former Governor Sule Lamido, despite a bitter 2017 dispute that led to Lamido’s detention under Badaru’s administration.See The Full, Details. .
A Badaru spokesperson claimed the engagements were in the “spirit of Ramadan” to engender political peace. However, his absence at Tuesday’s APC state congress, attended by Governor Umar Namadi and other bigwigs, has intensified suspicions.
Newly elected APC state chairperson Ahmad Garba appeared to warn the former minister, stating the party would not tolerate “dual loyalty.” Analysts suggest Badaru’s supporters may be aggrieved over perceived exclusion from state and federal appointments, but note the former minister and governor maintain mutual respect.
Badaru’s meetings with opposition figures directly contradict his January statement denying defection plans.
The rapprochement with Sule Lamido, a bitter political enemy, is particularly striking.
Absence from APC congress while rivals attended sends a powerful signal of disengagement.
The “dual loyalty” warning from new party leadership suggests internal tensions are acknowledged.
The rift appears driven by supporters’ grievances rather than personal conflict between Badaru and Namadi.
As Jigawa’s political landscape shifts ahead of 2027, former governor Badaru’s cross-party engagements and conspicuous absence from APC congress have set tongues wagging, leaving the state’s ruling party facing the specter of a heavyweight defection.read more. .
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
