Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, has openly challenged the recent comments made by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Nigeria’s presidential zoning system, firmly stating that the North must respect President Bola Tinubu’s right to complete a full eight-year term.
Speaking during an interview on TVC’s Politics on Sunday, Bago argued that rotational presidency remains essential to maintaining Nigeria’s political stability. He dismissed calls for an early return of power to the North in 2027 as “unfair and disruptive.”
Governor Bago’s comments came just days after former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, argued at a public event in Imo State that Nigeria should move away from rotational presidency and instead focus on selecting credible and capable leaders, regardless of their regional background. El-Rufai’s remarks had stirred widespread discussion, with many seeing them as an early attempt to undermine Tinubu’s re-election prospects.
In strong and direct terms, Bago responded to these suggestions, making it clear that he supports Tinubu’s two-term mandate. “For crying out loud, this man has just spent two years in office and you want it to come back to the North. How?” he asked during the programme.
He went on to describe President Tinubu as a reform-focused leader whose policies, though initially challenging, are aimed at long-term national development. Bago emphasised that the President had made tough but necessary decisions, such as removing the fuel subsidy, which had previously benefited a small corrupt group rather than ordinary Nigerians.
“People are marrying new wives, civil servants are being employed after 10 years, roads are being constructed, and you’re saying the man who made it possible is not a good man? It’s not true,” Bago stated. “Those who used to divert subsidy money will not be happy, but ordinary people are excited.”
The Niger State governor also announced that he had appointed himself Director-General of Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign and declared that the campaign headquarters would be situated in Minna. “I have made myself the DG of Tinubu’s campaign for 2027 and no going back about that. Our headquarters will be in Minna,” he said.
He further emphasised that Niger State would take the lead in mobilising northern voters and youth in support of the President. “These people you are talking about don’t control the youths. We control the youths, and the youths are with Asiwaju. Don’t worry about what people say. As far as we are concerned in Niger State, Asiwaju 2027 is constant,” Bago added.
On the topic of governance, Bago addressed his recent decision to dissolve the state cabinet, explaining that it was part of a broader institutional strengthening strategy. He noted that permanent secretaries and civil servants provide continuity, whereas political appointments are temporary by nature.
“If you understand the politics of Niger State, we have a zoning formula. Commissioners are only appointed, they are not institutions. Permanent secretaries are institutions, and even in the absence of a governor, things should not stop. In one month, we are going to have a new cabinet,” he said.
Bago also defended his administration’s ambitious infrastructure projects, revealing that the state’s monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has risen to ₦10 billion. He stated that the state is also receiving higher allocations from the Federation Account, putting it in a strong position to fund development without excessive borrowing.
“I don’t know why people are taking Panadol for my headache. If we don’t have the resources, we wouldn’t have ventured into the projects,” he said.
On the limited borrowing undertaken by the state, Bago explained that it was directed towards long-term projects such as the planned Abuja-Minna rail line. “There is no problem with borrowing; there are agencies to regulate borrowing. We have not reached 20 percent of the borrowing threshold,” he noted.
“If we borrow to build this rail line that our children will pay for, I don’t think it is something bad. We cannot borrow to buy cars, but we can borrow to put infrastructure that will outlive us,” he added.
Touching on security, the governor acknowledged challenges but described them as “insignificant,” adding that the state is working closely with security agencies to clear dangerous forests and monitor religious preaching to prevent incitement.
“I didn’t ban evangelism, I only said anyone going to preach should bring the sermon for review. Even in Saudi Arabia, it is done. Because you are a clergy doesn’t mean you should preach against the people or government,” Bago explained.
He also reiterated his strong support for the establishment of state police, arguing that it would bring security closer to the people and improve safety across communities.
“I am an advocate of state police. There is no local government in Nigeria that doesn’t have vigilantes, so why don’t you convert them to police? People from every local government or ward should recruit people to police them. With state police, we will change the narrative,” he said.
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