Niger State Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba Poised to Resign Amid Strained Ties with Governor Bago

Niger State’s political landscape is set for a potential shake-up as reports emerge that Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba may tender his resignation “any moment from now,” following a series of disagreements and alleged marginalization by Governor Umaru Bago’s administration.

Sources close to the deputy governor confirmed to Daily Nigerian that Garba had already begun moving personal belongings out of the official residence over the weekend, signaling serious preparations for his imminent exit from office.

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Rising Tensions as Deputy Governor Prepares to Step Down

The focus keyword here is “Resignation,” highlighting the unfolding political drama around Yakubu Garba’s possible departure from the Niger State government.

A highly placed insider revealed that Garba had substantially vacated the deputy governor’s official residence, relocating many of his belongings to a private home. “As I speak to you, he has substantially moved out his belongings from the official residence to his private residence. He will resign any moment from now,” the source disclosed.

In a last-ditch effort to avert a major political crisis, some traditional rulers reportedly visited the embattled deputy governor on Sunday night, appealing to him to reconsider his decision. However, it remains unclear whether the intervention by the monarchs has had any impact on Garba’s stance.

Strained Relationship with Governor Bago

At the heart of Garba’s possible resignation lies a severely strained relationship with Governor Umaru Bago. Multiple insiders revealed that the deputy governor had endured what they described as sustained disrespect and marginalization by the governor and his inner circle.

“In recent times, he was not consulted on many government activities despite being elected on the same ticket with the governor,” one insider said.

Garba’s frustrations reportedly peaked when his preferred candidate for the forthcoming local government elections, Babangida Kudodo, was replaced without his consent. Although the deputy governor, along with other APC stakeholders in his Shiroro Local Government Area, had agreed on Kudodo as their consensus candidate, the party headquarters instead announced Isyaku Bawa as the nominee—allegedly at the governor’s directive.

The sidelining of Garba’s candidate was reportedly not an isolated incident, as other consensus candidates endorsed by party stakeholders across the state were also replaced, further deepening divisions.

“Nobody consulted him on anything,” another source lamented. “He does not have control over any part of the government. The deputy is treated with disrespect despite his huge contributions to the success of the party and loyalty to his principal.”

There are also allegations that Garba’s official allowances and overheads were drastically slashed, compounding his grievances and leaving him feeling further isolated within the administration.

Conflicting Signals from Deputy Governor’s Camp

Efforts to reach Deputy Governor Garba for clarification were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to multiple messages seeking comment on the reports of his impending resignation.

However, his Press Secretary, Ummikhultume Abdullahi, denied knowledge of any resignation plans. “I am not aware of his plan to quit. He has not relocated from the official residence. I just had a meeting with him at the official residence,” she stated.

Despite this denial, several sources maintain that Garba’s departure appears inevitable unless a dramatic reconciliation effort is undertaken in the coming days.

Political Implications for Niger State

If Yakubu Garba’s resignation materializes, it could have significant political ramifications for Governor Bago’s administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State.

Observers note that the brewing crisis may expose underlying rifts within the party’s leadership and could impact future elections, especially if Garba decides to align with opposition forces or work against the APC from outside government structures.

The reported marginalization of an elected deputy governor also raises questions about governance practices, intra-party democracy, and the treatment of political allies within Nigeria’s evolving democratic system.

With tensions already high, political watchers are closely monitoring developments to see whether last-minute negotiations or political realignments will change the course of events—or whether Niger State will soon be plunged into a fresh wave of political uncertainty.

As Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba reportedly edges closer to resigning from office, Niger State faces a period of heightened political suspense. Whether Garba ultimately steps down or reconciles with Governor Umaru Bago could shape the immediate future of the state’s political dynamics. For now, the uncertainty lingers, and all eyes remain on the corridors of power in Minna.