Citizens’ Engagement Turns Chaotic in Jigawa as Residents Protest Poor Representation

The weekly Citizens’ Engagement Programme organised by the Jigawa State Government turned chaotic in Kiri-Kasamma Local Government Area over the weekend, as angry residents protested what they described as poor representation and neglect by their elected officials.

The unrest, which occurred during Governor Umar Namadi’s visit to the Tarabu District for the flag-off of township road projects, led to the vandalism of several vehicles, including some in the governor’s convoy and a bus belonging to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents’ Chapel.

Eyewitnesses said the trouble began shortly after the governor’s speech when irate youths disrupted the proceedings, preventing the council chairman from addressing the gathering. The protesters, chanting in Hausa, “Ba ma yi, ba ma so” meaning “You are a failure, we don’t want you” accused local leaders of abandoning the people and failing to deliver on campaign promises.

Efforts by Governor Namadi to calm the situation eventually restored order, but the tension spilled over to the main venue of the engagement in Kiri-Kasamma town, where the programme was abruptly halted following breaches of protocol and poor organisation.

Both state and federal legislators representing the area were reportedly booed by the crowd, who expressed anger over the lack of employment opportunities and visible development projects in their communities.

“Since they were elected, they have done nothing to empower us. They only serve themselves at the expense of the poor masses,” one resident lamented.

Despite the disruption, Governor Namadi proceeded to commission a rural electrification project linking nine villages, Tage, Ilallah, Siga, Garin Wakili, Fandunan, Gafta, Baturiya, Una, and Barmaguwa to the national grid.

Speaking after the incident, Governor Namadi reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to bringing governance closer to the people through continuous citizen engagement.

“This programme is designed to keep government close to the people. It allows us to listen, assess our performance, and plan better in line with citizens’ priorities,” he said, emphasising that the Citizens’ Engagement Programme remains a cornerstone of transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance in Jigawa State.