Youths boo Badaru, deputy at festival in Jigawa
[FILES] Jigawa State Governor, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar. Photo/FACEBOOK/PLSGov/
• Gov’s aide downplays incident
Youths in Jigawa State, yesterday, expressed disenchantment with the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in the state when they booed the governor, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and his deputy, Umar Namad, chanting: “Bamayi!” (We are not supporting you!)
The incident happened in Gumel Council of the state when the duo attended the popular Sallar Gani festival.
The deputy governor is also the 2023 gubernatorial candidate of the APC in the state.
Sallar Gani is a popular festival held during Eid-el-Maulud (celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad). It features a display of multi-ethnic cultures, Dubar and other activities.
Other party stalwarts on the governor’s convoy were the APC gubernatorial running mate, Aminu Usman Gumel, the state party chairman, Alhaji Aminu Sani Gumel, and many high-ranking party officials.
The youths were seen venting their disapproval at the governor and his deputy in a video, which has since gone viral. “We don’t want you! We don’t want you! We don’t want you!” they chanted.
It was gathered that the youths were displeased with the way the governor allegedly abandoned the state’s devastating floods ravaged communities.
The floods reportedly claimed over 100 lives and destroyed farmlands and property.
It was also learnt that since the governor returned, he had not visited any of the displaced persons or condoled with families that lost their loved ones.
An eye witness, who was in the governor’s convoy but would not want his name in print, told our reporter: “Yes, the governor was booed by a few youth groups, not to the extent it is being exaggerated.”
He said: “Everything started well. We arrived at the town and the venue of the festival peacefully and we were received warmly. After the event, when we were leaving, the governor and the APC candidate were in the same open-roof vehicle waving at the crowd, when the youths started chanting, “Bamayi! Bamayi!”
When contacted, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Habibu Nuhu Kila, said: “It was not true.”
He asked rhetorically: “What of the thousands in the palace that were praising the governorship candidate?”
