The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, has debunked widespread claims circulating on social media suggesting he has stepped down from office.
Naturenex reports that Garba, speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Ummikhultume Abdullahi, in a conversation with Vanguard, dismissed the rumours as unfounded and misleading.
Abdullahi confirmed that the Deputy Governor remains actively in office and continues to carry out his responsibilities from his official residence located close to the Government House in Minna.
In addressing the rumours, Garba’s media aide called on the public to disregard the misinformation, cautioning against the spread of unverified stories capable of inciting needless unrest.
“I am presently in his official residence; he is upstairs and I am downstairs. I can tell you categorically that Comrade Yakubu Garba is still the Deputy Governor of Niger State. There is nothing like resignation,” Abdullahi asserted.
Earlier, Naturenex reported that multiple sources suggested Garba’s alleged plan to resign was linked to a growing rift with Governor Umaru Bago.
Insiders alleged that the Deputy Governor had faced persistent marginalization and disrespect from the governor and his inner circle.
“In recent times, he was not consulted on many government activities despite being elected on the same ticket with the governor,” a source disclosed.
The tipping point, according to sources, came when Garba’s preferred choice for the upcoming local government elections was reportedly dropped. While Garba and other APC stakeholders in Shiroro Local Government Area had agreed on Babangida Kudodo as their consensus candidate, the party’s leadership allegedly substituted the name with Isyaku Bawa, said to be influenced by the governor.
Further claims suggested other consensus candidates supported by local party figures were also replaced without their input.
