In a stunning upset during Saturday’s Garki-Babura federal constituency bye-election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) suffered a significant defeat to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the polling unit of the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, in Babura Kofar Arewa Primary School, Jigawa State.
Badaru, a prominent APC chieftain and former governor of Jigawa State, saw his party secure only 112 votes in his polling unit (001), while the PDP clinched a decisive victory with 308 votes.
The loss extended to Badaru’s ward, highlighting a growing political divide within the APC.
Speculation has intensified about a rift between Badaru’s supporters and factions loyal to Governor Umar Namadi.
Observers noted that some of Badaru’s allies were seen celebrating the PDP’s victory, raising questions about their loyalty to the APC.
Reports suggest that these supporters, while Badaru serves in President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, may be actively working against the APC in favor of the PDP.
The situation was reportedly salvaged by the intervention of Governor Namadi, whose reputation for effective project delivery and improved welfare for Jigawa residents has bolstered his influence.
Namadi’s efforts were credited with mitigating the fallout from the APC’s electoral setback.
Adding to the APC’s woes, another ally of Badaru, the Minister of State for Education, Mrs. Suwaiba Ahmad, also saw her polling unit, Primary Yamma (005), fall to the PDP, with the opposition securing 184 votes to the APC’s 22.
The defeats have intensified scrutiny on Badaru, who has faced growing calls to resign due to his perceived inability to strengthen the APC’s position in Jigawa State and the North West region.
Critics argue that his leadership has failed to deliver electoral success, with some pointing to the jubilant reactions of his associates following the PDP’s victories as evidence of internal disarray within the party.
As the APC grapples with these losses, the bye-election results signal potential challenges for the party’s cohesion and influence in Jigawa State ahead of future elections.
