A seismic political shift has occurred in Jigawa State as Hon. Sa’idu Yusuf Miga, a federal lawmaker with nearly two decades in office, lost his party’s nod for the 2027 general elections. The All Progressives Congress (APC) primary, held on a Saturday, saw Miga defeated in his bid to retain the Jahun/Miga Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.
Miga’s journey in the National Assembly began in 2003 under the now-defunct New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). He later joined the APC during the 2014 merger that established the ruling party. He successfully won re-election in 2015, 2019, and 2023, making him one of Jigawa’s longest-serving lawmakers. However, dissatisfaction among constituents over his performance grew, with critics citing poor representation and a lack of impactful constituency projects in Jahun and Miga local government areas.
Questions about his legislative output also surfaced, as opponents noted he had not sponsored major bills since the 10th National Assembly was inaugurated in June 2023. Public discontent reached a peak earlier in the month when a youth coalition, “Jahun Ina Muka Dosa,” staged a peaceful protest demanding his replacement. Led by figures such as Shamsu Sulaiman Alafin, Nura Wada, and Comrade Muhammad Khamisu Harbo, the group lodged complaints with APC leadership and Governor Umar Namadi, accusing Miga of neglecting infrastructural development, youth unemployment, and constituency needs.
Following the primary, the APC selected Hon. Umar Imam as its flagbearer for the Jahun/Miga Federal Constituency in the 2027 elections. “We need a more active and result-oriented representative who understands the needs of the people,” a youth leader stated during the protest, reflecting the sentiment that drove the change.