Some aggrieved protesters from Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State stormed the Government House in Dutse, on Thursday, to demand the removal of the state’s Agriculture Commissioner, Muttaka Namadi.
The protesters, who gathered in large numbers, blocked the main entrance of the Government House, chanting slogans expressing their dissatisfaction with Namadi’s performance.
Muttaka Namadi hails from Ringim LGA, but the demonstrators accused him of failing to represent the interests of his constituency effectively in the state executive council.
The protesters, who are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, were drawn from the 10 political wards and 220 polling units of the local government area.
One of the protest organizers, Abdullahi Muhammad, stated that they were disappointed in the commissioner, whom they claim has not lived up to expectations.
He said, “We have come here to formally lodge our complaints against the Commissioner for Agriculture, Muttaka Namadi because of his poor representation of our community. We have spoken to him several times to carry everybody along in the area, but he turned deaf ear to our demand.
“Our position is in compliance with the governor’s instructions to his political appointees to carry along members of their constituents and assist them.
“However, since our commissioner, who is from our local government area, has refused to heed the governor’s instructions, we have no option than to demand his removal from the cabinet as our representative and another person appointed.
“Apart from the fact that he does not assist the people of his constituency, his actions have dampened our morale as party faithful in the area. As a party leader from our local government area, he has not inspired us.”
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mustapha Makama, and the state APC chairperson, Aminu Sani, received the protesters and promised to deliver their message to Governor Umar Namadi.
Sani acknowledged the complaints of the protesters, but appealed to them to be patient and allow the party and the governor to handle the situation.
He commended them for their peaceful conduct and assured them that their complaints would be addressed to their satisfaction.
