Gov. Namadi’s commitment to good governance misrepresented by traducers
By Mohammed Mohammed Babura
The recent publication by SaharaReporters titled “Jigawa Governor Splashes N1.8 Billion On Luxury Vehicles Amid Mass Poverty, Awards Contract For 12 More SUVs For Convoy, Wives” is not only misleading but an orchestrated attempt to smear the reputation of Gov. Umar Namadi and divert public attention from the giant strides his administration is making in transforming Jigawa State.
The report, laced with falsehoods and political vendetta, is typical of those who feel entitled to public resources and lash out when refused a share of what they are not rightfully due. One such disgruntled individual, Zakari Kafin Hausa, has been fingered as the peddler of this baseless propaganda. His grudge stems from the governor’s refusal to accommodate unethical behaviour, despite their shared local origin. It is disappointing that media platforms like SaharaReporters would offer space for such character-assassinating fabrications without proper investigation.
Setting the records straight
Governor Umar Namadi’s administration remains fully committed to prudent public spending, transparency, and delivering impactful projects that touch the lives of ordinary citizens. The claim that N1.8 billion was expended on luxury vehicles is false, malicious, and intended to incite public outrage. The vehicles acquired by the government are standard utility vehicles for official use, procured through due process and in line with the logistical requirements of the state government’s operations.
Contrary to the allegation that the contracts were inflated or awarded to insiders, all procurement under this administration strictly follows the provisions of the Public Procurement Act. The insinuation that a serving commissioner acted as a contractor is both laughable and criminally untrue. No such transaction exists, and we challenge SaharaReporters to provide verifiable evidence to support its claim.
It is also laughable to suggest that the governor’s wives were allocated four SUVs as part of some luxury convoy. This cheap propaganda lacks any credible source and is clearly designed to stoke unnecessary controversy.
Gov. Namadi’s scorecard in less than two years
Rather than indulge in wasteful spending, Gov. Namadi has focused on improving the lives of Jigawa citizens through strategic investments in infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, and economic empowerment.
The Namadi administration has embarked on a state-wide road rehabilitation and construction drive aimed at connecting remote communities to urban centres. Over 120 kilometres of rural roads have either been completed or are currently under construction, enhancing mobility and boosting local trade. Notably, the Guri–Hadejia road and the Maigatari–Gagarawa axis have received special attention due to their economic importance.
Despite SaharaReporters’ false claim, funds have indeed been committed to road infrastructure, with work ongoing in several LGAs. The 2025 mid-year budget performance report clearly reflects actual expenditures in this sector.
Governor Namadi has made significant investments in healthcare delivery. His administration commenced the rehabilitation and equipping of 27 primary healthcare centres—one in each local government area—to provide basic and emergency services. Jigawa now boasts one of the best routine immunisation records in the North-West.
Over N4.3 billion has been expended on procurement of medical equipment, hospital renovation, and the provision of essential drugs. Moreover, the state has recruited 230 health personnel this year alone, to address the shortage of skilled professionals in rural areas.
Gov. Namadi’s government is fully aware that no society can develop without a sound education system. As such, over 300 classrooms have been renovated across the state, while hundreds of school desks and instructional materials have been distributed.
Additionally, the administration has upgraded five secondary schools to “model status” with modern facilities, boarding accommodation, and ICT centres. The governor also approved scholarship schemes for indigent students and continues to support tertiary education through subventions to state-owned institutions.
In partnership with international donors and NGOs, Gov. Namadi launched the Jigawa Women Empowerment and Child Nutrition Initiative, which provided pap-making starter kits and nutritional supplements such as Tom Brown to thousands of women across six vulnerable LGAs.
Over 5,000 women and youths have benefitted from micro-credit schemes and vocational training programmes facilitated by the Jigawa State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (JISMEDA). The state government has also begun implementation of the Social Investment Programme to provide conditional cash transfers to vulnerable households.
Recognising Jigawa’s comparative advantage in agriculture, Governor Namadi has increased investment in irrigation, mechanisation, and access to markets. Over 200 tractors were distributed at subsidised rates to farming cooperatives, and an ongoing fertiliser subsidy programme has benefitted more than 150,000 smallholder farmers.
Additionally, the state is implementing a rice and wheat value-chain project in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), aiming to create jobs and improve food security.
A responsible Leadership
While critics fabricate lies about luxury vehicles and non-existent contracts, Gov. Namadi remains focused on prudent, people-oriented governance. He has neither compromised the state’s fiscal discipline nor neglected the welfare of his people. Rather than react emotionally to politically motivated attacks, he continues to prioritise service delivery, integrity, and public trust.
It is clear that SaharaReporters’ report is not only defamatory but also an insult to the collective intelligence of Jigawa citizens who see and feel the progress made under the Namadi administration. The people of Jigawa deserve better than malicious misinformation; they deserve honest reportage that recognises ongoing development efforts.
We therefore, urge the public to disregard the said publication in its entirety. The Namadi administration remains committed to building a more prosperous, equitable, and transparent Jigawa for all.
Mohammed Mohammed Babura is a student at Bayero University, Kano