2027: Former NIS Chief Babandede joins APC, endorses Tinubu, Namadi

Former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammed Babandede, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging his full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s second-term bids.

Babandede, who had previously been linked with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), completed his APC registration in Hadejia Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

He also declared his intention to run for the Jigawa Northeast Senatorial seat in the 2027 elections under the APC platform.

In an interview with journalists in his hometown, Babandede recalled that supporters had encouraged him to contest the governorship in 2023, a pursuit he did not follow.

He expressed satisfaction with Governor Namadi’s performance, stating, “The state was fortunate to elect Governor Umar Namadi in 2023. With his performance, he has the mandate for an additional four years should he decide to run. I will not be seeking the governorship in 2027.”

Describing his APC registration as a formality, Babandede noted that he has long been an active party supporter, having campaigned vigorously for Governor Namadi and President Tinubu during the 2023 general elections.

The ex-Immigration chief explained that his Senate bid follows sustained appeals from stakeholders across Jigawa Northeast. He pledged to redefine legislative representation by prioritizing core law-making duties, safeguarding constituents’ rights, and promoting synergy between the National Assembly, the state government, and the Federal Government to prevent duplication of projects.

Departing from the tradition of distributing consumables as constituency projects, Babandede said he would focus on institution-building and enhancing educational capacity for sustainable development. He revealed that a comprehensive needs assessment across the senatorial district has already been conducted to guide his interventions.

Babandede was appointed NIS Comptroller-General on May 15, 2016, by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, having previously served as Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Operations and Passports. He retired in 2021 after 36 years of service, succeeding Martin Kure Abeshi.

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