NEWS ANALYSIS:
By Abdullberqy Usman Ebbo
In Niger State politics, and indeed the nation as a whole, political and second-term endorsements are often treated as ceremonial nods and ritualistic formalities driven by the client-patron-network system, political experience, or even unspoken deals. Rarely do you find these firmly rooted in genuine acknowledgment of performance or excellence.
In Niger State, that wasn’t the case when the endorsement of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Niger Caucus on the 1st of August 2025 emerged, not as a hollow and familiar political rite, but as a significant recognition of substance over symbolism.
The gathering, which witnessed the presence of sitting ministers, high-ranking lawmakers from the National Assembly, government functionaries, party stakeholders, et al., was a resounding affirmation of Governor Bago’s quality leadership and the audacious vision he has pursued under the “New Niger Agenda.” The August endorsement is not a favour returned, it is a reward earned.
Since assuming office in May 2023, Governor Bago’s tenure has been characterized by the deliberate implementation of what he calls the “New Niger Agenda,” a developmental roadmap focused on rebuilding the state’s socioeconomic foundation. This agenda is not a catchphrase, it is a comprehensive development blueprint built on pillars such as urban renewal, a transition to a green economy and clean energy, improved access to quality education, and human capital development.
The APC Niger Caucus’s endorsement of Governor Bago can be seen as a declaration of confidence in this forward-looking and visionary roadmap. By aligning themselves with a governor who has a clear developmental agenda, the Niger APC Caucus and stakeholders affirm to all and sundry that progress, performance, vision, and tenacity are now politically bankable assets.
One of the most impactful areas of Bago’s reform agenda is the road infrastructure across the state.
The administration of Governor Bago has initiated the construction and rehabilitation of over 1,000km of roads, with about 400km belonging to the federal government, often called Trunk A roads. A good number of these roads have been completed, and others are at various stages of completion, thereby improving intra- and inter-state connectivity.
These efforts have already begun changing urban spaces, easing transportation, boosting commerce, and improving overall quality of life. The massive ongoing transformation of the road system within the Minna Metropolis and across the state through the construction of several flyovers and road networks at strategic locations is a testament to the focus on infrastructural development.
Governor Bago’s impressive performance in reviving the health sector cannot be overemphasized. Under his leadership, the state government has constructed 20 level-2 primary healthcare facilities and has awarded contracts for over 80 healthcare facilities across the state. These facilities are not your everyday kind of primary healthcare; they come with a 24-hour solar system, a laboratory, a theatre, a pharmacy, etc.
Agriculture, a very important sector in Niger State and an area in which it enjoys a comparative advantage, has also seen significant focus. Under his leadership, the state has embarked on an agricultural modernization drive. His government’s procurement of hundreds of tractors, the establishment of an Agricultural Development Fund, and strategic public-private partnerships indicate a deliberate effort to transition from subsistence farming to an economically viable green economy—the highlight of which was the Green Economy Summit hosted by the state in October 2023.
These are tangible interventions that have led to increased food production, job creation, and the empowerment of thousands of farmers. This is reform with results.
It is no wonder then that the APC Niger Caucus has chosen to publicly align with the Farmer Governor who is intent on delivering measurable economic outcomes. Their endorsement reflects a strategic embrace of a governor whose programs and policies reinforce the party’s development agenda and credibility with the electorate.
Education, ever the foundation of any long-term development, has also received attention under Governor Bago’s leadership. By removing the previously compulsory school uniform policy, Governor Bago deftly dismantled a financial barrier that often kept poor children, especially those from rural and marginalized communities out of classrooms.
He has formed inclusive policies, including taking education to Fulani settlements and strengthening the Nomadic Schools program, another progressive step toward an education-for-all policy.
These are not mere cosmetic changes; they represent a structural shift in how education is accessed and delivered in Niger State.
Governor Bago has also begun rebuilding schools and this time, not just reconstructing the existing classrooms but turning them into modern facilities of learning under the motto “School for the Future,” beginning with Marafa Primary School, which is currently ongoing.
One can clearly see that the APC caucus’s endorsement, in this light, is a recognition of social reform and a signal that Governor Bago is not just building roads and markets, but also building human capital and strengthening social justice.
While performance is central to the caucus’s endorsement, the unanimous nature of their support also speaks to the long-standing political and party cohesion in the state. This unified endorsement sends a powerful message: Governor Bago is not just a reformer, but a stabilizing force within the party.
In the words of Sen. Mohammed Sani Musa, (313) Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, “We are very proud of you as you have surpassed our expectations. As Governor, we are absolutely loyal to you, and as my kid brother, I’m always here to advise and guide where necessary.” The senator donated 10 Hilux vans and 50 motorcycles in the fight against banditry.
The Hon. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Malagi also had this to say: “For anyone entering Minna/Niger State, they will see the good that is going on.” He even jokingly stated that as he was getting into town, he almost fell asleep in the car because of how smooth the road had become.
The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Barrister Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji, stated during the event that the present Assembly will continue to support the Governor’s policies as long as they are for the benefit of all. He also added that the House of Assembly has taken a different dimension in resolving their disagreements with the Governor, not the usual way of making arguments public when they can be resolved amicably without chaos.
Speakers at the event, including the Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, and the State Party Chairman, Alh. Aminu Bobi, all gave their separate reasons why the Governor must continue. Bobi added, among other reasons, that party excos are having it easy and smooth with Bago as Governor since he became chairman of the party.
Governor Bago’s loyalty to the APC, combined with his administrative competence, has strengthened the party’s dominance in the state and built bridges among the various stakeholders in the APC. The endorsement, therefore, is both a political and moral reward for delivering results and for the preservation of unity within a complex political terrain like Niger State.
Abdullberqy Usman Ebbo is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Media and Strategy.
