Written By: Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
A major political realignment has emerged within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in Jigawa State following the party’s decision to deny its only serving senator in the state, Senator Mustapha Khabeeb, a second-term ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party instead settled for a youthful grassroots politician, Aminu Wada Abubakar, as consensus candidate for the Jigawa Southwest Senatorial District. His emergence is already generating reactions across the zone, with party supporters describing it as a strategic move aimed at reconnecting the PDP with ordinary people at the grassroots.
Aminu Wada Abubakar, popularly known as Dokajin Dutse, is the first son of former Kano State Deputy Governor, late Barrister Wada Abubakar Kiyawa, who served under the defunct Peoples Redemption Party administration in 1983.
Findings by TRUTHS FINDER revealed that the PDP leadership arrived at the decision after months of internal consultations and mounting complaints from party loyalists over what they described as poor representation and lack of impactful constituency programmes under the incumbent senator since his election in 2023.
Party insiders disclosed that many stakeholders were particularly dissatisfied with the absence of visible empowerment initiatives targeting youths, women and vulnerable rural dwellers battling unemployment, poverty and limited access to economic opportunities across the senatorial district.
The development became more pronounced on Friday evening when Aminu Wada stormed the PDP State Secretariat in Dutse alongside hundreds of supporters and party faithful to obtain his nomination form amid jubilation and chants of solidarity from party members who hailed his emergence as “the beginning of a new political direction.”
Speaking shortly after obtaining the nomination form, the youthful PDP flagbearer promised to champion people-oriented legislation aimed at tackling poverty, youth unemployment and women empowerment through improved access to agriculture, education, healthcare and vocational training programmes.
According to him, the worsening economic hardship, insecurity and declining educational standards across Northern Nigeria require leaders with practical ideas capable of driving human capital development and sustainable economic growth.
“We are coming with a fresh vision that will prioritise empowerment, education and economic development. Our youths need opportunities, our women need support and our farmers require better policies and access to modern agricultural programmes,” he stated.
The PDP candidate further pledged to sponsor laws and programmes that would encourage self-reliance among young people through entrepreneurship support, skills acquisition and expanded educational opportunities across the district.
He added that agriculture would remain a major component of his legislative agenda, stressing that improving rural productivity, supporting small-scale businesses and empowering local farmers would significantly reduce poverty and improve household incomes in the zone.
Aminu Wada also promised to push for improved healthcare services, particularly in rural communities where access to quality medical facilities remains inadequate.
The aspirant attributed his emergence to the support and confidence reposed in him by party leaders and associates, especially former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, whom he described as his political mentor.
“I thank Almighty Allah for witnessing this historic moment. I also appreciate our leaders, especially Dr Sule Lamido and the entire PDP family, for believing in me. With unity and commitment, we shall move Jigawa Southwest forward,” he said.
Reacting to possible opposition from the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 polls, Aminu Wada expressed confidence in the PDP’s popularity and grassroots strength within the district.
“If you are in PDP, you should not fear anybody. We are prepared and we believe the people are ready for positive change,” he declared.
Meanwhile, checks by TRUTHS FINDER in the state indicated that aside from the APC and PDP, no other political party in Jigawa State has so far produced candidates either through primary elections or consensus arrangements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
