By Nkechi Eze
In a symbolic display of gratitude and enduring political solidarity, the Forum of Elected Former Councillors who served during the administration of former Jigawa State Governor and current Minister of Defence, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni, paid a courtesy visit to him at his Kano residence on Friday, June 20, 2025.
An official signed statement by Mati Ali, Personal Assistant Media and Publicity the minister disclosed that the delegation, drawn from various local government areas of the state, gathered to present an Award of Excellence in Leadership to the former governor, lauding his unprecedented contributions to grassroots governance, inclusive development, and welfare of local council officials during his time at the helm of affairs in Jigawa State.
Presenting the award on behalf of the Forum, its Chairman, Alhaji Mustafá Isyaku Sholy, praised Badaru for what he described as “a historic act of justice and fairness”, referring to the full settlement of outstanding severance entitlements of councillors across the state, spanning from 1999 to 2023.
“This plaque is not just a symbol of recognition, but a token of our sincere appreciation,” Sholy said. “No administration in the history of Jigawa State had ever mustered the political will to clear those arrears. But you did it with humility and without making noise about it. That alone speaks volumes of your character as a people-centered leader.”
The Chairman further described Badaru’s intervention as a landmark gesture that restored dignity and financial stability to hundreds of former local government legislators, many of whom had been neglected for decades.
Now serving as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar was commended by the Forum not only for his legacy as a governor but also for his continued humility, accessibility, and support for grassroots actors in Jigawa State. The former councillors used the opportunity to reaffirm their loyalty to his leadership and promised to mobilize continued political support for his ongoing and future national assignments.
“We are proud of you, and we will always stand by you,” Sholy added. “Your commitment to the development of Jigawa and Nigeria at large gives us confidence that leadership can still be built on trust and service.”
The occasion was graced by prominent political figures and supporters, including Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Jallo, the Member representing Hadejia Constituency in the Jigawa State House of Assembly, and Alhaji Ahmed Rufai Gumel, a former Chairman of Gumel Local Government Area.
In a brief response, the Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, expressed deep appreciation for the gesture, noting that he remains committed to the welfare of all who served under his administration and beyond. He thanked the Forum for their loyalty and pledged to continue being a voice for inclusive governance, security, and grassroots development both in his current role and in future capacities.
The visit comes at a time when the Minister has been praised nationally for his contributions to national security coordination and defence reforms, making the honour from his home state’s former councillors a reflection of both his local and national legacy.
The ceremony concluded with a group photograph and an informal interaction that reflected the warmth and camaraderie between the former councillors and their former governor, now a key figure in Nigeria’s federal cabinet.
