The All Progressives Congress (APC) Jigawa Integrity Group has stated that allegations suggesting former Jigawa State Governor and ex-Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, has left the APC for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are false and meant to damage his reputation.
The statement was signed by Comrade Auwal Shuaibu Gumel on behalf of the APC Jigawa Integrity Group and was provided to the press in Kano.
Gumel specifically accused a group called the Coalition of Grassroots Democrats (CGD) of spreading misinformation regarding the former governor’s political affiliation.
He claimed that these allegations are part of a calculated effort to discredit Badaru and create the impression that he has fallen out with President Bola Tinubu.
Gumel emphasised that Badaru remains loyal to the APC, the party he helped to build, and has no intention of leaving it.
“These claims are nothing but a dirty plot aimed at discrediting His Excellency and turning him against his political allies,” Gumel said.
The group maintained that Badaru continues to command strong political influence in Jigawa State and across northern Nigeria, noting that he played a significant role in the emergence of the current Jigawa State governor, Umar Namadi.
Gumel added that Badaru had previously served as finance commissioner and deputy governor under Namadi before supporting his emergence as governor.
He also alleged that some political actors were sponsoring campaigns of misinformation against the former governor, particularly during a recent private trip abroad shortly after he resigned as Minister of Defence.
The statement further stressed that Badaru’s loyalty to the APC and President Tinubu remained “rock solid,” expressing confidence that his political relevance would remain evident ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group warned against what it described as attempts by faceless organisations to undermine a leader who has served Jigawa State and Nigeria, urging political actors to desist from spreading falsehoods about the former governor.