By Adamu Muhd Usman
As the political atmosphere thickens and the nation inches steadily toward the 2027 general elections, many of our political leaders have taken a momentary breather.
His Excellency, Malam Umar Namadi (FCA), Dan Modi, the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, was no exception. He proceeded on a well-deserved two-week vacation and returned just a day ago, Wednesday, September 23, 2026, refreshed and ready to continue the work of serving Jigawa State.
One thrilling and extolling thing about Dan Modi is that even during his vacation (to rest), he continues searching for investors abroad to come to Jigawa to invest.
But Your Excellency, your absence spoke volumes about your leadership.
In Jigawa, government did not sleep. Ministries worked. Parastatals worked. Agencies, boards, commissions, schools and other public institutions continued to function as though you were still seated in Dutse.
That is not a coincidence. That is the signature of a leader who has institutionalized discipline, devotion and a sense of duty.
Everyone knows Dan Modi is a no-nonsense leader, a man who says things as they are and expects things to be as they should be. That culture of accountability is your legacy, and Jigawa felt its impact even while you were away.
Your Excellency, during your brief absence, two significant events took place that deserve your attention. Though I am neither a card-carrying member of the APC, nor one of your cabinet members or your spokesperson, I write simply as a citizen of Jigawa State exercising the freedom of expression guaranteed to me by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
One of these events was historical and statesmanlike, the other was political and significant.
1. First, the honour done to an elder statesman
On Sunday, September 20, 2026, Dutse stood still and hosted a special lecture to honour and commemorate the 78th birthday of the former Jigawa State governor, His Excellency Alhaji Dr. Sule Lamido (CON).
It was a gathering rich in history and symbolism. Political leaders, academics, elders, youth and people from different walks of life converged on Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, to honour a veteran politician, the PRP-oriented disciple of the late Malam Aminu Kano school of politics, a national leader of the PDP, one of the great pillars of Northern politics, and indeed, the architect of modern Jigawa.
Your Excellency, we believe that, had you been in the state and received an invitation, you would have graced the occasion because of mutual understanding, peaceful coexistence, political stability and your characteristics of love, togetherness, friendliness, simplicity, humility, respect for elders, history and the institution of our state. But Allah has destined that you would be away at that time. In-sha-Allah, there will be other opportunities.
On behalf of all well-meaning Jigawans and Nigerians, even those in the diaspora, we say Happy Birthday to His Excellency, Dr. Sule Lamido. May Allah (S.W.T.) continue to prolong his life, protect him, preserve him in good health, and keep him as a voice for a united, efficient and great Nigeria. The Jagora Talakawan Nigeria (The leader of the downtrodden of Nigeria).
2. The second is the political earthquake in Hadejia
On that same day, Hadejia came alive. A young, courageous and intensely loyal apostle of the Dan Modi philosophy, Alhaji Muhammad Salisu Atafi, fondly known as Bomboy, organized what was tagged the One Million March.
Your Excellency, the mobilization was remarkable. Youths reportedly came from different parts of Jigawa State and beyond in a show of political solidarity with the administration and its leadership.
If we are not mistaken, this is the first solidarity march of its kind in this dispensation in the entire country—one million voices calling passionately for Dan Modi and Tinubu to continue: 4+4.
What made it astonishing was not just the mammoth crowd, but the character of it. It was peaceful. It was safe. It was secure. It was orderly. No rancour, no chaos, no fight, no complaints of fraud, no stories of chuwa-chuwa, no cries over transport, feeding or stipends. It was a clean, sincere outpouring of love.
Hadejia became like a Mecca of sorts. The media stood witness. Transporters smiled to the bank. Filling stations sold out. Food vendors, water and soft drink sellers prayed for a repeat. Entertainers, drummers and singers thrilled the crowd. Printing presses, tailors and cloth sellers all testified that it felt like Sallah festivities. The security and law enforcement agencies played their roles and did well by maintaining law and order. As Jigawans are very disciplined and law-abiding individuals, everything went on smoothly and orderly. It was an economic carnival built on loyalty.
Prayers were offered for peace, security, unity of purpose, guidance, and for free, fair, credible, peaceful and successful elections in Nigeria, Biiznillah.
Salisu Atafi has proven himself. He is courageous, committed, devoted and unshakably loyal, a true servant-boy of Dan Modi, a young gentleman who deserves encouragement and support from his principal.
Bomboy has demonstrated commitment to his political cause and loyalty to those he supports. Such political participation is most valuable when it comes peacefully, lawfully and focused on constructive engagement.
Your Excellency, the solidarity displayed by your supporters also reflects the political organisation and its relationship with the APC at the national level.
Your Excellency, you should indeed be proud of Bomboy, just as our nation’s father and President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, must be proud of you, the governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi.
Dan Modi, your devotion, your sincerity, your solidarity, your unalloyed loyalty and your passion for the APC and for Mr. President are building the most formidable mechanism for victory in Jigawa come 2027, if Allah desires.
Welcome back, Your Excellency. Jigawa missed you. Perhaps the greater lesson from your absence is that institutions should continue to function even when the leader is temporarily away. That is one of the tests of sustainable leadership: not merely what happens when the leader is physically present, but whether the machinery of government continues to work when he is absent.
And so, as the political season gradually gathers momentum, a question will increasingly be placed before the people of Jigawa State.
Is “Dan Modi 4+4” merely a political slogan, or a proposition that the people themselves will ultimately decide at the ballot box?
That verdict belongs to the people.
Adamu wrote from Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State.