Jigawa State Gov. Umar Namadi backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid and asked Tinubu to speed up a water project at a Nov. 10 Dutse rally, Premium Times reported.
The State House confirmed Tinubu spoke to All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters at Dutse Township Stadium. In the address published by Premium Times, Namadi pledged the APC would win across the ballot in 2027, summing up his aim with the phrase “from top to bottom.”
Premium Times reported Namadi placed the Greater Dutse Water Supply Project above 60% completion and appealed directly to Tinubu to order faster implementation. A State House account instead named the Greater Hadejia Water Project as 60% complete and did not say whether the names referred to the same scheme.
Namadi linked the scheme to Tinubu’s 2023 campaign promise to address Dutse’s water shortage, according to the published speech. At the project’s Dec. 19, 2024, flag-off, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation said the Federal Executive Council approved ₦59.46 billion. The ministry said the system was intended to address Dutse’s 10 million-liter daily supply gap and serve more than 1.5 million residents in the city and nearby communities, with a 24-month completion estimate.
Namadi also asked Tinubu for federal help with erosion in Hadejia Metropolis, Dutse, Birnin Kudu and Gwaram, saying the issue exceeded the state government’s capacity, according to the speech.
The State House said Tinubu commissioned two skills and technical training centers and 400 state-procured tractors, along with other agricultural equipment. He also virtually commissioned a three-kilometer road in Dutse. BusinessDay reported that Tinubu connected electricity access with employment and industrial growth in remarks at the Dutse rally.
Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lists Jan. 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections.
