Niger: Kantigi endorses Bago for second term

The gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election in Niger State, Isah Kantigi, has described the one-year performance of Governor Muhammad Bago as unprecedented and advised anyone wishing to contest for the governorship in the 2027 election from Zone A, where the governor comes from, to drop their ambition and support Bago.

Kantigi gave this advice while speaking to selected newsmen via a video press conference from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, monitored in Minna on Monday, January 13, 2025.

He noted that, so far, he is convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that in the next two years, Umaru Bago will move Niger to the next level of development.

Kantigi noted that, in all ramifications, Governor Umaru Bago has scored over 75 per cent in his policy implementation in less than two years. Therefore, he needs support from all and sundry across the three senatorial districts of the state to enable him to deliver more dividends of democracy.

Kantigi added, “I would like to use this privilege to inform people from Zone A that anyone who dares to bring out a candidate to contest in the 2027 election does so at their own risk because he or she will not be supported and it will amount to a waste of resources. The governor has started very well, and he must be given more time to complete all the developmental projects on ground.

“Governor Muhammad Umaru Bago has made the entire Nupes proud by proving to us that he can be trusted. He is touching lives and transforming every nook and cranny of the state.”

He also disclosed that he conceded defeat in the 2023 election because he realised at that particular time that Bago was destined to win and had been chosen by the Almighty Allah.

While reacting to rumours of his defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kantigi explained that he is still a card-carrying member of the PDP, calling on all his supporters and loyalists to join hands with him to ensure that Bago emerges as their candidate in the 2027 general election.

The Guardian contacted the State Secretary of the PDP in Niger State, Mohammed Zhegun, for comment but did not receive a response by the time of filing this report.