A group of beggars, mostly women, besieged the residence of the Jigawa State Governor Alhaji Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar. They demanded money, saying they were hungry.
The Governor was in Babura, his country home, to revalidate his All Progressives Congress (APC) membership at his poling unit at Kofar Arewa Primary School.
Governor Badaru arrived at his home town accompanied by his Deputy, Alhaji Umar Namadi; Acting Chairman Caretaker Committee of the party (APC), Alhaji Muhammed Umar Dikkuma, Chairman Jigawa State APC Membership Registration and Validation Committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Dawakiji and members of the State House of Assembly and members of the state executive council.
Immediately he entered his premises after revalidating his party membership at his home town, the beggars besieged his home.
It was alleged that a mild drama occurred when the beggars besieged the governor’s residence demanding money, even as they said things are difficult for them.
The beggars had assembled at the governor’s residence for him to attend to them. But he was not forthcoming.
Trouble began when the beggars had waited outside for a long time without any sign that the governor would attend to them. Instead, the security men were trying to disperse them. They started shouting and took over the entrance to the compound.
They, in their thousands, refused to leave, as they forced the security men inside and locked all entrances to the governor’s residence.
The situation made many dignitaries not to have access to the governor’s home, including reporters, who were forced to retreat for fear that the mob would attack them.
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One of the women who held the governor hostage at his residence, Malama Halima Hadi said their problem is not COVID-19, even as she said there were issues of poverty, unemployment, and rape bedevilling them. She also said people cannot afford three square meals a day.
After renewing his membership of the APC, the governor called on APC supporters to turn out massively to register with the party in their respective wards.
The governor explained that the registration and validation exercise is free and open not only to party members but also to all who were convinced and interested to join the APC.
