By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The political battle for Jigawa State ahead of the 2027 governorship election is intensifying as Governor Umar Namadi faces growing opposition from PDP candidate Mustapha Sule Lamido and powerful political forces within the state.
The crisis involves who controls Jigawa’s political structure, what alliances may reshape the election, when the APC internal divisions deepened, where the political struggle is strongest, and how the emerging coalition could threaten the governor’s second-term ambition.
What once appeared to be a smooth re-election path for Namadi has now evolved into a fierce political contest driven by shifting loyalties, elite realignments and grassroots mobilisation.
PDP Unites Behind Mustapha Sule Lamido
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently adopted Mustapha Sule Lamido as its consensus governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 election.
Party leaders believe the decision will prevent internal divisions and strengthen the PDP’s chances against the ruling APC.
Former Secretary to the State Government, Dr Aminu Taura, moved the motion for Lamido’s adoption. Wada Abubakar Dokaji seconded it during a stakeholders’ meeting attended by party leaders from all 27 local government areas.
The PDP State Chairman, Babandi Ibrahim, supervised the process, which ended with a unanimous voice vote.
Supporters now present Mustapha as a youthful political figure focused on governance reform, empowerment and institutional rebuilding.
Following his emergence, Lamido urged party members to unite and rescue Jigawa from worsening socio-economic challenges.
He warned that healthcare and education sectors faced increasing pressure and demanded sacrifice and discipline from party loyalists.
According to him, the PDP must protect both the party’s interests and the future of Jigawa State.
2023 Election Revealed Strong Opposition Base
During the 2023 governorship election, Governor Umar Namadi secured 618,449 votes and won 26 out of 27 local government areas.
Mustapha Sule Lamido, however, polled 368,726 votes, while Ibrahim Ringim of the NNPP secured 37,156 votes.
Political observers believe the result exposed a sizeable opposition base that could become stronger before 2027.
Since the election, Mustapha Sule Lamido has maintained active grassroots mobilisation across the state.
He has also strengthened PDP structures and expanded alliances within and outside the opposition party.
APC Crisis Deepens Between Namadi and Badaru
One of the biggest developments reshaping Jigawa politics is the widening rift between Governor Namadi and former Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.
Badaru previously played a major role in Namadi’s emergence as governor. However, political insiders say disagreements over appointments and political control damaged their relationship shortly after Namadi assumed office.
The first public sign of tension reportedly surfaced during preparations for the inauguration of the Jigawa State House of Assembly in June 2023.
At a stakeholders’ meeting in Kano, Badaru allegedly pushed for Idris Garba Jahun’s return as Speaker.
However, Governor Namadi later supported Aliyu Dangyatin for the position instead.
The governor personally attended the Assembly session during Dangyatin’s election and inauguration.
Meanwhile, Idris Jahun and APC State Chairman Aminu Sani Gumel reportedly stayed away.
Political analysts believe the incident marked the beginning of a larger power struggle within the APC.
Assembly Investigation Escalates Political Tension
The political crisis worsened after the Jigawa State House of Assembly adopted a report recommending investigations into alleged financial irregularities linked to Badaru’s administration.
The committee cited questionable procurement procedures, missing financial records and alleged budget overruns involving local government councils.
Badaru’s supporters immediately described the move as politically motivated.
Although the Assembly defended the action as legislative oversight, the development deepened hostility between both camps.
Emerging Alliance Threatens Governor Namadi
Several political sources now claim that Mustapha Sule Lamido may benefit from the Namadi-Badaru conflict.
Insiders alleged that loyalists of Badaru could support Lamido’s governorship ambition in exchange for strategic political concessions.
Reports also suggest ongoing discussions involving support structures and mobilisation strategies for the PDP candidate.
Although Badaru denied plans to defect from the APC, his recent interactions with opposition figures continue to fuel speculation.
Political tension increased further after Zakari Kafin-Hausa, a Badaru loyalist, shared a video criticising President Bola Tinubu and APC policies.
The criticism highlighted growing dissatisfaction within sections of the ruling party in Jigawa.
Analysts Predict Tough Election for Namadi
Political commentator Abdullahi Ubale Gumel described the alliance between Sule Lamido and Badaru as a major threat to Governor Namadi.
According to him, both men remain the most influential political figures in Jigawa politics over the past two decades.
Gumel argued that their combined structures and loyalists could reshape the political landscape ahead of 2027.
“The coming together of Sule Lamido and Badaru Abubakar is not something any politician in Jigawa can ignore,” he said.
However, Gumel acknowledged that Governor Namadi still enjoys important political advantages.
These include incumbency power, access to government structures and possible support from the Presidency and the national APC leadership.
He added that federal backing could keep the governor politically competitive despite the growing opposition alliance.
Internal Dissatisfaction May Hurt APC
Despite the governor’s advantages, reports suggest rising dissatisfaction among some APC members and government appointees.
Some insiders alleged that certain political appointees may secretly support the emerging Badaru-Mustapha alliance.
Analysts believe internal sabotage could become one of the biggest threats facing the governor ahead of the election.
Unlike previous contests driven mainly by party loyalty, the 2027 election may focus more on elite alignments, influence and grassroots strength.
Jigawa Faces Explosive Political Contest
For now, Jigawa’s political atmosphere remains tense and deeply polarised.
The growing rivalry between Governor Umar Namadi and Mustapha Sule Lamido continues to redefine the state’s political future.
With Sule Lamido’s enduring influence, Badaru’s political machinery and the PDP’s renewed confidence, the road to 2027 appears increasingly difficult for the governor.
Political observers now believe the coming governorship election could become the biggest political battle in Jigawa’s modern democratic history.
