Amid swirling rumors of an alleged resignation, the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, has broken his silence, urging the public to disregard unfounded claims circulating on social media and promising transparency if any major decision regarding his office arises.
The rumors, which began gaining traction in the early hours of the week, suggested that the Deputy Governor had tendered his resignation due to internal disagreements with key figures in the state government. However, in a calm but firm statement released during a press briefing at the Government House in Minna on Wednesday, Garba addressed the issue directly, clarifying that he remains fully committed to his duties and has not resigned from office.
“I have not resigned. Let me make that very clear,” the Deputy Governor said. “I understand that the public is eager for accurate information, and I respect that. If and when there’s a decision of such magnitude, I will personally inform the people of Niger State. Until then, let us not give room to baseless speculation.”
The Source of the Rumors
The resignation rumors gained momentum after a widely circulated blog post alleged that Garba had vacated his office and ceased attending official functions. The post also claimed that Garba was at odds with Governor Umar Bago over policy directions and administrative appointments. While no official evidence backed the claims, the story was quickly picked up by social media influencers, leading to widespread discussions online.
However, government officials and close associates of the Deputy Governor have since refuted the claims, describing them as “fabricated” and “maliciously designed to stir confusion in the polity.”
A senior aide to Garba, who requested anonymity, stated, “His Excellency has been carrying out his duties as expected. In fact, he attended several high-level meetings this week alone. There is absolutely no basis for these rumors.”
Commitment to Public Service
Yakubu Garba, a former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Niger State, was widely praised for bringing grassroots energy and integrity to the state’s executive arm upon his emergence as Deputy Governor in 2023. Known for his passion for workers’ welfare and transparency in governance, Garba’s leadership style has earned him both praise and criticism, particularly from political opponents.
During the press briefing, Garba reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people of Niger State and emphasized that his focus remains on delivering on the administration’s developmental promises.
“My loyalty remains with the people of Niger State, who trusted us with this mandate. We are working tirelessly to implement the policies and programs that will improve lives across our great state. Distractions like this are unfortunate but will not derail us,” he said.
Internal Government Dynamics
While the Deputy Governor downplayed rumors of internal conflict, sources close to the administration hinted that there have indeed been recent tensions within the cabinet. These tensions are said to stem from disagreements over recent government restructuring and alleged marginalization of some political blocs within the ruling party.
Political analysts believe that such disagreements are not uncommon in state administrations, especially during the early years of governance, when power dynamics are still being negotiated.
“Frictions are a natural part of politics, especially in a young administration,” said Dr. Sulaiman Zubairu, a political science lecturer at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University. “What matters is how these frictions are handled. Transparency and communication go a long way in dousing tension, and I think the Deputy Governor did the right thing by addressing the rumors head-on.”
Public Reaction
Nigerians have responded with mixed reactions to the Deputy Governor’s statement. While many applauded his decision to speak directly to the public, others remained skeptical, insisting that there may be more to the story.
A Minna resident, Ibrahim Musa, said, “It’s good that he’s speaking up, but we’ve seen cases where politicians deny things today and confirm them tomorrow. We’re watching.”
On social media, the hashtag #NigerDeputyGov trended briefly as users debated the implications of the Deputy Governor’s statement. Some expressed support for Garba, describing him as one of the more transparent politicians in recent times.
“I believe him. Garba has always been vocal and has never hidden anything from the public. If there was something serious happening, he would let us know,” one user tweeted.
Others urged the government to ensure better communication with the public to avoid the spread of misinformation.
The Road Ahead
As the administration of Governor Umar Bago continues to settle into its governance cycle, political observers suggest that now is the time for unity and stability. With pressing issues such as insecurity, unemployment, and infrastructural development on the agenda, any distraction within the executive arm could derail progress.
Garba, for his part, has pledged to stay focused and avoid being drawn into political drama. In his closing remarks at the press briefing, he called on the media and the public to verify information before spreading it.
“We live in a time where information—whether true or false—spreads fast. Let us be responsible with what we share and consume. My office is always open to inquiries, and I will always tell the people the truth, whether convenient or not,” he said.
As it stands, the Deputy Governor remains in office, fully engaged in the state’s governance. While the origin and intent of the resignation rumor remain unclear, one thing is certain: Yakubu Garba is not ready to bow out just yet.
