Jigawa APC: Badaru, Namadi Reunite at Deputy Governor’s Son’s Wedding

After more than two years of reported political differences within the Jigawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) former Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar and Governor Umar Namadi have appeared together at a wedding ceremony in Dutse.

Their public appearance is fuelling speculation that the two political leaders may be closing ranks ahead of the 2027 elections.

For more than two years, political differences have reportedly divided supporters of former Jigawa State Governor and former Defence Minister, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, and those of incumbent Governor Umar Namadi.

The disagreement has played out largely among their supporters, particularly on social media, with both camps trading accusations and counter-accusations.

But the political temperature appears to be changing.

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On Monday, August 10, Governor Umar Namadi and former Governor Badaru Abubakar appeared together at the wedding ceremony of Usman Aminu Usman, son of Jigawa State Deputy Governor Aminu Usman.

Governor Namadi, who served as the bride’s guardian, gave Khadija Tasi’u Ishaq out in marriage to Usman, while former Defence Minister Badaru represented the groom.

The wedding took place at the residence of the member representing Dutse Constituency in the Jigawa State House of Assembly.

The appearance of the two leaders together is significant, coming at a time when political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections are beginning to gather momentum.

The reported disagreement within the APC has already had political consequences.

Several prominent politicians associated with the Badaru camp have defected to opposition parties or lost their APC tickets.

Among those who have moved to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, are Bala Usman Chamo and Zakari Kafin Hausa, who are seeking seats in the House of Representatives, while Ahmad Rufai is contesting for the Jigawa State House of Assembly under the ADC.

Several other politicians associated with the former governor also failed to secure APC tickets during the party’s recent primaries.

They include former two-term Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Idris Garba, as well as Abubakar Jallo, representing Hadejia Constituency; Aliyu Ahmad Aliyu, representing Kiri-Kasamma Constituency; and Aminu Sule, representing Ringim Constituency, among others.

Some other members of the former governor’s political camp have also remained largely silent or inactive in party activities amid the disagreements.

For much of the period, Badaru was also noticeably absent from some major APC and government events in the state, including the APC State Congress and the celebration marking Jigawa’s 34th anniversary, where former governors of the state were present.

Despite the differences, however, Badaru and Namadi themselves have largely avoided a direct public confrontation.

Now, their appearance together at a family wedding has opened a new political conversation.

For APC supporters, a possible reconciliation between the two leaders could help the party consolidate its strength ahead of 2027 and reduce internal divisions.

But whether the meeting represents a genuine political rapprochement or simply a show of respect at a family occasion remains unclear.

The bigger questions are whether politicians who have left the APC will return, whether the two camps can work together ahead of 2027, and whether the long-running internal disagreement has finally come to an end.

For now, the message from the wedding is clear: Badaru and Namadi are together in public.

Whether that translates into a lasting political reconciliation is a question only time and the next moves of both camps will answer.