Gov Umar Namadi’s steadfast alignment with Tinubu and APC good for Jigawa
By Lawal Jet Kaugama
In today’s politics, loyalty is not merely expressed through words but through consistent actions, public alignment, and participation in party processes.
The recent All Progressives Congress (APC) national convention in Abuja provided yet another clear demonstration of the loyalty of Jigawa State governor, Umar Namadi, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Gov Namadi’s presence at the APC national convention was not just ceremonial, but symbolic and strategic. In political systems, party conventions are where the future direction of a party is decided, alliances are strengthened, and loyalty is tested.
By standing firmly with President Tinubu and other party leaders during this important gathering, Gov Namadi once again positioned himself as a committed party man who believes in the stability and continuity of the APC administration at both the national and state levels.
Since assuming office as governor, Gov Namadi has consistently demonstrated political alignment with President Tinubu’s administration. Unlike some politicians who maintain distance from the central government for political calculation, Namadi has chosen cooperation over confrontation. This approach is significant because Nigeria’s political structure often rewards states whose governors maintain strong relationships with the federal government, especially when they belong to the same party.
Political loyalty, however, should not be misunderstood as mere personal allegiance. In the Nigerian political context, loyalty to the party and the president often translates into policy alignment, development cooperation, and political stability.
Gov Namadi’s loyalty to President Tinubu can, therefore, be seen as loyalty to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the APC, an agenda that includes economic reforms, infrastructure development, agricultural expansion, and security improvements.
At the APC convention, the emergence of new National Executive Council members was described as a process shaped by unity and understanding. This unity did not happen by accident; it was the result of cooperation among party leaders, including governors like Namadi who play critical roles in party structure and delegate influence.
Governors are among the most powerful stakeholders in Nigerian political parties, and their positions often determine the direction of party decisions. Namadi’s active participation in the process shows he is not a passive member of the APC but an active contributor to its internal democracy and leadership structure.
Particularly noteworthy was the emergence of Ambassador Haruna Ginsau from Jigawa State as the National Financial Secretary of the APC. Gov Namadi’s public congratulation and support for a fellow Jigawa indigene reflects both state pride and political influence. It also suggests that Jigawa State remains relevant within the national structure of the APC, partly due to the governor’s loyalty and cooperation with the national leadership of the party.
In Nigerian politics, loyalty often brings political relevance. Governors who openly oppose the central leadership of their party sometimes find themselves politically isolated. On the other hand, those who maintain strong party relationships often secure federal appointments, projects, and political support for their states.
Gov Namadi appears to understand this political reality and has chosen a path of cooperation and loyalty, which may benefit Jigawa State politically and economically in the long run.
Furthermore, loyalty within a ruling party helps maintain political stability. Nigeria has experienced periods where internal party conflicts weakened governance and distracted leaders from development issues. By supporting party unity and leadership decisions, Gov Namadi contributes to reducing internal conflicts within the APC. Political stability at the party level often translates into governance stability at the national level.
Another dimension of Gov Namadi’s loyalty is ideological continuity. He succeeded former Jigawa State Governor Abubakar Badaru, who was also a strong APC loyalist and former Minister of Defence under President Tinubu. By maintaining the same political alignment, Namadi ensures continuity in Jigawa State’s relationship with the federal government and the ruling party. This continuity is important for long-term development planning and political consistency.
It is also important to note that loyalty in politics is a two-way relationship. While Gov Namadi shows loyalty to President Tinubu and the APC, the party leadership is also expected to support Jigawa State through federal projects, appointments, and policy attention.
This mutual political relationship is how party systems function in many democracies around the world.
In all, Gov Namadi’s participation in the APC National Convention and his public support for the party leadership clearly highlight his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress. His political posture reflects a leader who believes in party unity, cooperation with the federal government, and continuity of political direction.
In Nigeria’s political landscape, such loyalty is not only a personal political strategy but also a governance strategy aimed at ensuring that his state remains politically relevant and developmentally connected to the centre of power.
Lawal Jet Kaugama, a commentator on national issues, writes from Kano