By Mohammed Hassan Hadejia
he recent statement attributed to Alhaji Musa Alaye, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Mobiliser in Jigawa State, seeking to ridicule the Honourable Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, over the outcome of the Babura Local Government bye-election, is as misleading as it is unfortunate. In an attempt to gain relevance, Alaye has resorted to disparagement, ignoring both the political stature and the immense contributions of Badaru to Jigawa State, the APC, and indeed the Nigerian federation.
The suggestion that a temporary electoral setback in Babura signals the collapse of Badaru’s political relevance is a gross misrepresentation of reality. It is, rather, a reflection of the bitterness of an individual whose brand of politics has long been at variance with the accountable and principled leadership style of the former governor and current minister.
A Statesman of National Standing
Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Badaru is no ordinary politician. He is a two-term former governor of Jigawa State, a tested administrator, and a bridge-builder whose influence transcends his home state. His tenure as governor was marked by prudence, transparency, and an insistence on fiscal discipline that earned him accolades across the country. His developmental initiatives in agriculture, infrastructure, and human capital investment transformed Jigawa into a model of stability and growth in the North-West.
Today, as Minister of Defence, he occupies one of the most sensitive positions in the Federal Government of Nigeria, at a time when the country faces complex security challenges. His appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not a token gesture but a clear vote of confidence in his proven capacity to handle difficult assignments with calm resolve and integrity.
To reduce a man of such standing to the measure of a single bye-election is not only unfair but laughable. Political heavyweights are not defined by temporary local results but by the respect they command across political divides, their trackrecord of service, and their ability to shape national direction.
Badaru’s antecedents in the 2023 presidential election
One of the clearest illustrations of Badaru’s national political relevance was his role in the 2023 presidential elections. Initially a frontline presidential aspirant within the APC, Badaru demonstrated rare maturity and party loyalty by stepping down at the crucial hour to ensure party unity behind the eventual candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This decision was not forced upon him; it was borne out of his understanding that the party’s cohesion was more important than personal ambition.
Following that sacrifice, Badaru threw his full weight behind the APC presidential campaign, particularly in Northern Nigeria. His ability to mobilise support, reconcile divergent interests, and maintain discipline within party structures contributed significantly to the APC’s eventual victory. The records of the 2023 elections will always reflect his input as one of the dependable figures who delivered for the party when it mattered most.
Contextualising the bye-election
Elections, especially bye-elections, are influenced by peculiar local factors. Intra-party disagreements, voter apathy, or opposition mobilisation can all play significant roles in determining outcomes. It is therefore mischievous to lay the blame for the Babura result solely at the feet of the Defence Minister.
The claim that Badaru abandoned party members or preferred the company of the opposition is a fabrication designed to suit a predetermined narrative. Badaru’s politics has always been people-centred and guided by principle. Unlike those who view politics only as an avenue for patronage and self-enrichment, Badaru has remained consistent in prioritising accountability and long-term party strength over short-term appeasement.
If some individuals found themselves frustrated under his leadership, it was not because of neglect but because their expectations of unchecked largesse and unearned rewards were not met. Leadership is not about indulging every demand; it is about steering a collective vision.
The youth leader’s misplaced anger
The bitterness in Alhaji Musa Alaye’s words betrays a personal frustration rather than an honest assessment of political reality. His brand of politics thrives on entitlement, expecting constant patronage and attention. Badaru’s disciplined leadership style, which emphasises accountability and fairness, does not sit comfortably with such an outlook.
Hence, the youth leader, unable to reconcile his personal disappointments with the collective interest of the APC, has chosen to lash out unjustly. But the discerning public knows the difference between genuine criticism and vindictive attacks. Alaye’s commentary falls squarely into the latter category.
Respect across geopolitical zones
Badaru remains a respected figure not only in Jigawa but across all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. In the North-West, he is regarded as one of the region’s stabilising forces. In the North-East, his role in fostering unity within APC structures is well acknowledged. In the South-West, his statesmanship during the 2023 primaries earned him the enduring respect of President Tinubu’s political base. His reach extends to the South-South and South-East, where he is recognised as a calm, trustworthy, and dependable national figure.
This wide-ranging respect is evidence that his political value cannot be diminished by a single local contest. Those who understand Nigerian politics know that Badaru is part of the league of northern leaders whose voices carry weight in national decision-making.
In all. the attempt by Alhaji Alaye to cast aspersions on the political relevance of Abubakar Badaru is, at best, a desperate cry for attention. Nigerians are not fooled. They know Badaru’s worth as a disciplined administrator, a loyal party man, and a respected national leader.
While electoral setbacks may occur in any democracy, they do not erase a leader’s record of service or the respect he commands across regions. Badaru remains one of the pillars of APC’s success story, a man trusted by President Tinubu, and a politician whose influence in Jigawa and beyond remains intact.
Those who are frustrated by his principled style of leadership will do well to reflect, rather than lash out unjustly. For in the end, the truth always outlives propaganda.
. Mohammed Hassan Hadejia writes from Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa,Jigawa State