Kebbi Mega Rally: When Masses Tell Their Story

By Ibrahim Bello

Politics, by its very nature, is a contest of narratives. The opposition thrives on casting doubt, often working overtime to diminish incumbency with sharp rhetoric and selective amnesia. But while, so many incumbents allow themselves to be distracted or drawn into street brawls by the natural antics of the opposition, some simply just show the opposition what it truly means to be accepted. This they do through the people who, having experienced governance, decide to take up the job of marketing the incumbent through organic public spectacles.

That moment played out in Birnin Kebbi, over the weekend when an overwhelming crowd of Kebbi people surged in solidarity with Governor Nasir Idris, (Kauran Gwandu), and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. All those who witnessed that organic crowd noted that it was not just another rally; it was a referendum of sorts, staged not in ballot boxes, but in human numbers.

When people gather in such magnitude, uncoerced and spirited, they are not merely attending an event; they are testifying to what they have witnessed.

The chants were unmistakable. The placards told their own stories—roads completed, schools revived, hospitals upgraded, salaries paid, security strengthened. It was less of political theatre and more of a public audit, carried out by those who feel the impact most directly.

For Governor Nasir Idris, the significance of that moment goes beyond optics. It reflects a governance model that has deliberately focused on tangible outcomes rather than loud proclamations. Since assuming office in 2023, his administration has carved a reputation around visible development and administrative responsiveness.

Take infrastructure, for instance. Across Kebbi State, there has been a steady push to rehabilitate and construct roads linking communities that were previously cut off, especially during the rainy season. Roads such as the Argungu–Aleiro corridor and critical township roads within Birnin Kebbi have improved mobility, eased trade, and reduced travel time for residents and farmers alike. These are economic lifelines whose impact is already being felt.

In education, the primary constituency of the governor, the story is equally compelling. Governor Nasir has prioritised the renovation of dilapidated schools and the construction of new classrooms to address overcrowding. Beyond infrastructure, his administration approved the recruitment of thousands of teachers to bridge staffing gaps in public schools. This intervention is critical in a state where access to quality basic education remains a developmental challenge. By investing in both human and physical capital, Kebbi is gradually repositioning its education sector for long-term gains.

Healthcare delivery, often neglected in subnational governance, has also received notable attention. Several primary healthcare centres have been upgraded and equipped across the state, improving access to basic medical services in rural areas.

The administration has also supported general hospitals with essential equipment and personnel, strengthening the referral system. Perhaps, the most significant investment in this sector is the establishment of the Kebbi College of Nursing and Midwifery, Ambursa. The idea is to create a ready source for critical health workers to man the revamped hospitals.

Perhaps one of the most defining aspects of Governor Nasir’s leadership has been his approach to workers’ welfare.

As a former union leader, expectations were naturally high, and he has not disappointed. His administration moved early to implement the new national minimum wage, placing Kebbi among the states that acted swiftly in that regard.

Salaries have been paid consistently, pensions cleared, and gratuities addressed in a manner that restores dignity to retired civil servants.

With stories of struggling senior citizens across the country, Gov. Nasir’s commitment to doing right by retirees stands out indeed.

Security, though largely under federal control, has not been ignored. Kebbi has witnessed improved coordination between state authorities, the home grown security outfits and security agencies, particularly in border communities prone to banditry.

The government has supported logistics, mobility, and community engagement initiatives that contribute to maintaining relative peace. While challenges persist, the effort to proactively address them is evident.

Agriculture, the backbone of Kebbi’s economy, has also benefited from targeted interventions. The administration has supported farmers with inputs, improved seedlings, and extension services aimed at boosting productivity.

Given Kebbi’s status as a leading rice-producing state, these efforts are not just about food security, they are about economic stability and rural livelihoods.

What makes these interventions particularly significant is the broader fiscal context. Many governors have acknowledged that reforms initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially around revenue and subsidy restructuring have increased allocations to states.

The real test, however, lies in utilisation. In Kebbi, there is a growing perception that these resources are being translated into visible development.

This is where the opposition’s narrative buckles under the weight of street level evidence and the lived reality of the people. Granted that criticism remains a vital component of democracy, but it must contend with evidence.

When roads are seen, when salaries are paid, when schools are functioning, and when hospitals are accessible, rhetoric alone cannot easily erase lived experience.

It’s no wonder then that the poster boy of Kebbi opposition, Abubakar Malami, was recently treated to a befitting welcome to Kebbi when youths lined the streets to chant “barawo bai mulki” loosely translated to mean thieves don’t govern.

The Birnin Kebbi rally, therefore, was not just about political endorsement; it was about validation. It demonstrated that governance, when rooted in delivery, builds its own constituency, one that is not easily swayed by transient political arguments.

Of course, no administration is without its shortcomings. There are still areas requiring urgent attention. Such areas as youth unemployment, deeper industrialisation, and expanded healthcare coverage, among others can be made better. Yet, the measure of leadership is not perfection; it is direction. And in Kebbi, the direction appears increasingly clear.

As 2027 gradually enters the political horizon, conversations will intensify. Alliances will shift, narratives will be refined, and ambitions will be declared. Yet, beneath all that, one fundamental question will persist: what has been done?

In answering that question, Governor Nasir Idris may not need an elaborate defence. The roads will speak; the schools will testify and the workers will remember. And, as witnessed in Birnin Kebbi, the people will gather, again, if necessary, to make their voices heard.

Because in the end, beyond party lines and political calculations, governance finds its truest expression in impact. And when impact resonates deeply enough, it does something no campaign strategy can manufacture; it draws a crowd that speaks not from gated mansions, but from the overall experience of governance as promised by a leader both unionist and welfarist.

Bello writes from Birnin Kebbi.

Misplaced Blame, Missed Priorities: Why Targeting Matawalle Won’t Fix Nigeria’s Security Crisis

By James Ezema

A U.S.-based lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels, recently called for the removal of Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, stirring predictable reactions across political and media spaces. Yet, beneath the headlines lies a more important question: is Nigeria’s deepening insecurity the failure of one man or the consequence of entrenched systemic weaknesses?

Reducing a complex, multi-layered national security crisis to the performance of a single officeholder is not only analytically flawed—it risks distracting from the structural reforms Nigeria urgently needs.

A CRISIS DECADES IN THE MAKING

Nigeria’s insecurity did not begin with Matawalle, nor with the current administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. From the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East to banditry in the North-West and communal conflicts/farmers/herders clashes in parts of the Middle Belt, the country’s security challenges are rooted in long-standing governance gaps.

These include:
I. Weak policing structures and chronic underfunding of the Nigerian Police Force
II. Poor intelligence coordination across security agencies
III. Proliferation of small arms and porous borders
IV. Socioeconomic drivers such as poverty, unemployment, and rural marginalisation
V. Over-reliance on the military for internal security duties

Any serious diagnosis must begin here—not with a politically convenient scapegoat.

MATAWALLE’S RECORD: A MORE BALANCED VIEW

Since his appointment as Minister of State for Defence in 2023, Matawalle has operated within a highly centralised and historically constrained security architecture. Yet, within these limitations, his contributions have been tangible and deserve objective recognition.

First, he has been instrumental in supporting expanded military operations against bandit enclaves in the North-West, particularly through enhanced coordination between ground forces and air components. These operations have disrupted several criminal networks and led to the neutralisation of key warlords.

Second, Matawalle has consistently advocated for both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, recognising that force alone cannot resolve insurgencies. His experience as a former governor of Zamfara State informed initiatives that combined military pressure with local engagement strategies aimed at de-escalating violence.

Third, under his watch, there has been increased emphasis on troop welfare and logistics support, including improved supply lines and operational readiness—critical factors often overlooked in public discourse but essential to battlefield effectiveness.

Fourth, he has played a role in strengthening Nigeria’s defence diplomacy, engaging regional and international partners to support intelligence sharing and counterterrorism cooperation.

None of these efforts suggest perfection. But they do indicate active engagement with the problem—not complicity in it, as some narratives have implied without substantiated proof.

THE DANGER OF SIMPLISTIC NARRATIVES

The recommendation by Kimberly Daniels reflects a broader trend in international commentary: the urge to personalise systemic failures. While such positions may be well-intentioned, they often lack the contextual depth required to understand Nigeria’s unique security environment.

Symbolic dismissals do not achieve security sector reform. In fact, abrupt leadership changes without structural adjustments can disrupt continuity, weaken morale, and create further instability within the ranks.

Blaming Matawalle alone risks creating a false sense of action while leaving the real problems untouched.

THE REAL ISSUE: A DISTORTED SECURITY ARCHITECTURE

At the heart of Nigeria’s security crisis lies a fundamental misalignment: the military has been overstretched with internal security responsibilities that should primarily belong to the police.

The Nigeria Police Force, constitutionally mandated to handle internal law enforcement, has been weakened over decades by inadequate funding, poor training, and limited operational capacity.

As a result:
I. Soldiers are deployed for routine policing duties.
II. Military resources are stretched thin across multiple internal theatres.
III. Response times and intelligence gathering suffer
IV. Civil-military relations become strained.

The current approach is neither sustainable nor strategically sound.

A WAY FORWARD: REBALANCING SECURITY RESPONSIBILITIES

Rather than focusing on individual removals, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration should prioritise a phased and deliberate restructuring of Nigeria’s internal security framework.

This must include:
I. Gradual re-equipping and modernisation of the Nigeria Police Force—with emphasis on mobility, communications, forensic capacity, and community policing.
II. Comprehensive retraining programmes to enhance professionalism and intelligence-led policing
III. Decentralisation of policing structures, allowing for more responsive state and local security mechanisms
IV. Strategic withdrawal of the military from routine internal operations, reserving its deployment for specialised interventions and external defence roles
V. Strengthening inter-agency coordination, ensuring seamless collaboration between police, intelligence services, and the armed forces.

Only through such systemic reforms can Nigeria build a security architecture capable of addressing both current threats and future risks.

CONCLUSION: BEYOND BLAME TO SOLUTIONS

Nigeria is currently facing a crucial moment. The temptation to assign blame to individuals may offer short-term political satisfaction, but it does little to resolve long-standing structural deficiencies, such as inadequate infrastructure, corruption, and ineffective governance that require comprehensive solutions.

Dr Bello Matawalle is not above scrutiny—no public official should be. However, any fair assessment must be grounded in evidence, context, and a clear understanding of institutional constraints.

The path to lasting security lies not in scapegoating but in bold, systemic reform. It lies in rebuilding institutions, redefining roles, and restoring balance within Nigeria’s security ecosystem.

Above all, it requires leadership that is willing to confront complexity—not reduce it.

Until then, calls for removal—no matter how loudly amplified—risk being nothing more than noise in place of necessary action.

Comrade James Ezema is a journalist, political strategist, and public affairs analyst. He serves as National Vice-President (Investigation) of the Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) and National President of the Association of Bloggers and Journalists Against Fake News (ABJFN). He writes from Abuja, Nigeria.

 Jigawa 2027: Between Namadi’s Legacy and the Circling Shadows

By Ahmad Sunusi

Jigawa State, like its counterparts across the Nigerian federation, is buzzing with political activities and various forms of electioneering campaigns. However, while opposition parties are working tirelessly—deploying every tactic, including outright falsehoods—to persuade the people to buy into their empty promises, the citizens themselves appear largely unfazed by such antics. Even the perceived cracks within the APC, reportedly orchestrated by a former governor and minister, do not seem to trouble the people of Jigawa.

One may wonder why, in a political environment such as Nigeria’s—where noise often substitutes for substance—we are witnessing a relatively calm atmosphere in Jigawa. The answer lies in Governor Umar Namadi. Since assuming office in 2023, he has charted a different course, defined less by rhetoric and more by measurable outcomes. For a state like Jigawa, long regarded as agrarian and structurally modest, the emergence of a governance model anchored on deliberate and incremental impact deserves close attention.

While Nigerian political commentary often swings between exaggeration and outright dismissal of impact, what is unfolding in Jigawa under Namadi occupies a rare middle ground—marked by transformation that is both tangible and verifiable.

At the core of the Namadi administration’s approach is the “Greater Jigawa Initiative,” a structured development framework that departs from the ad hoc governance style that has historically characterised many subnational governments. Rather than scattershot interventions, the state appears to be pursuing a layered strategy—agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, youth empowerment, and institutional reform—each reinforcing the other.

Take agriculture, for instance. As the economic mainstay for nearly 90 percent of the population, getting it right is not optional. There is a broad consensus that policy missteps in this sector can have devastating ripple effects. With this understanding, the Namadi administration has embarked on targeted investments in tangible assets and programmes designed to sustain agricultural growth. The procurement of tractors, modern farming implements, and similar interventions is aimed at addressing productivity constraints that have long trapped rural farmers in subsistence cycles.

Beyond mechanisation, however, the deeper shift is structural—the alignment of agriculture with broader economic policy. The push toward agro-processing zones and value-chain development reflects an understanding that farming alone does not create wealth; processing and market access must also be prioritised. Here, Namadi’s background as an accountant becomes evident. The reality in Jigawa today reveals a clear preference for systems over rhetoric—an approach capable of delivering lasting impact.

Infrastructure has also seen renewed commitment. The construction of over 500 kilometres of rural roads is not merely about connectivity; it is about economic circulation. When rural communities—who sustain the state’s economy through farming—can access markets efficiently and move goods and labour with ease, the entire local economy begins to function more effectively. Where there are roads, opportunity often follows.

Equally significant is the 1,500-unit housing project valued at ₦6 billion, a move that addresses both urban pressure and social stability. In many Nigerian states, housing projects are often reduced to political showpieces—announced with fanfare but rarely completed. In Jigawa, however, available evidence suggests a departure from that pattern. The administration’s focus appears to be on completion and functionality.

Perhaps the most consequential investments are those that do not immediately capture media attention—particularly in education and healthcare. In education, for instance, Namadi has overseen the renovation of over 700 classrooms, alongside targeted improvements in literacy and numeracy under programmes such as Jigawa UNITE. This reflects a recognition that development is generational and must be approached with urgency. The underlying philosophy is clear: a competitive state cannot be built on a weak educational foundation.

Similarly, developments in healthcare tell a story of resolve. The upgrading of 287 ward-level health centres, coupled with direct financing to hundreds of primary healthcare facilities, signals a decentralised approach aimed at bringing healthcare closer to the people rather than concentrating it in urban centres. When combined with partnerships delivering vaccines, nutritional support, and free medical interventions, a consistent pattern emerges—one of deliberate, collaborative service delivery.

Youth empowerment is another critical pillar. Often reduced elsewhere to tokenistic handouts, the approach in Jigawa appears more structured. The establishment of the Jigawa State Youth Employment and Empowerment Agency institutionalises this effort. The scale of impact—reaching hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries, particularly women—suggests a deliberate effort to carry all demographics along in the development process.

Then there is the less glamorous but equally vital aspect: governance itself. Jigawa State’s adoption of open governance frameworks, including public access to financial records and project timelines, marks a significant shift from opacity. While many states operate closed fiscal systems, Namadi’s administration appears committed to transparency as a governing principle. Practices such as budget padding and project duplication—common in less transparent systems—find little room to thrive in such an environment. Transparency here is not just a virtue; it is a deliberate disruption.

This may explain why the state is attracting recognition beyond its size. From innovation awards to strong budget performance rankings, the indicators suggest that something is working. However, it would be intellectually dishonest to portray the situation as flawless.

Despite its progress, Jigawa—like many states in Northern Nigeria—continues to face broader challenges, including poverty, climate vulnerability, and the ever-present risk of insecurity spilling over from neighbouring regions. The relative peace the state enjoys today is as much a product of proactive governance as it is of geography. Sustaining this balance will require vigilance and continuity.

There is also the issue of scalability. Can these reforms endure beyond the current administration? Nigerian states are replete with abandoned “legacy projects” that failed to survive political transitions. The true test of Namadi’s model will depend not only on what is built, but on whether those achievements can outlive his tenure. Nonetheless, there is a discipline in his governance style that is difficult to ignore.

Ultimately, the sustainability of Namadi’s impact depends on continuity beyond 2027. Such continuity would ensure that the current trajectory is maintained—moving from policy conception to full implementation. It offers the opportunity to build not just infrastructure, but a governance culture rooted in results rather than applause.

However, this cannot be achieved by the governor alone. The people of Jigawa must also play their part. This is a defining moment—one that calls for active participation at the polls, for citizens to defend the mandate they granted in 2023, and to resist the “circling shadows,” both within and outside the ruling party, whose primary interest may be power rather than progress. Jigawa cannot afford regression. The choice, as always, rests with the people.

Ahmad writes from Dutse.