The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, is reportedly set to step down from his position, barring any last minute chance.
According to Daily Nigerian, Garba started moving his personal belongings out of the official residence over the weekend.
Sources told the publication that they noticed unusual activity around the residence on Saturday and Sunday, suggesting that Mr. Garba is preparing to leave.
“As I speak to you, he has substantially moved out his belongings from the official residence to his private residence. He will resign any moment from now,” the source said.
Some traditional rulers were said to have visited him on Sunday night in an effort to convince him to stay.
However, it is not clear if he changed his mind after meeting with them.
Those familiar with the matter said that the decision to resign is related to a growing rift between Mr. Garba and the state governor, Umaru Bago.
According to insiders, the deputy governor has faced repeated disrespect and has been sidelined from major activities within the government, despite being elected on the same ticket as the governor.
Recent events seem to have worsened the situation.
Mr. Garba’s choice for a candidate in the upcoming local government election was replaced without his input.
In Shiroro, where the deputy governor is from, he and other APC leaders had agreed on Babangida Kudodo as their preferred candidate.
But when the final list was released by the party headquarters, another name, Isyaku Bawa, was chosen instead.
Reports said that this change, along with similar replacements of other consensus candidates, was done on the governor’s orders.
Sources also revealed that Mr. Garba has little influence within the government and that even his monthly allowances have been cut down sharply.
“Nobody consulted him on anything. He does not have control over any part of the government. The deputy is treated with disrespect despite his huge contributions to the success of the party and loyalty to his principal.
“Even his monthly allowances and overhead have been ridiculously slashed,” said the source.
Although Mr. Garba has not responded to messages seeking confirmation of the situation, his press secretary, Ummikhultume Abdullahi, said she was not aware of any resignation plans.
She also mentioned that she recently had a meeting with him at his official residence, saying he has not fully moved out yet.
