By Katsina Times | April 14, 2026
An investigation by Katsina Times has revealed growing indications that opposition parties may make significant inroads in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State ahead of the 2027 general elections, if current political and governance trends persist.
Findings from the investigation point to deep-seated grievances among residents, particularly between communities in the urban centre and those in rural areas.
Commissioner Yusuf Sule Jibiya
Rural dwellers in Jibia have alleged marginalisation, claiming that political appointments and developmental projects are largely concentrated in Jibia Ward A and B, regarded as the town’s metropolitan core.
The investigation established that key political office holders — including the member representing Jibia at the House of Representatives, the State House of Assembly member, the Local Government Chairman, a serving commissioner, a special adviser to the Katsina State Governor, as well as party leadership — are all from Ward A and B.
This concentration of power, according to residents in other parts of the local government, has fuelled resentment and a sense of exclusion.
Many respondents expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as unequal distribution of democratic dividends, noting that their communities have seen little or no developmental impact.
Some prominent individuals, including elites and business figures from the area, also voiced similar concerns. In separate interactions with Katsina Times, they warned that the situation must be addressed urgently or affected communities may seek alternative political alignments.
However, residents of Ward A and B argue that their dominance is justified by their numerical voting strength, maintaining that electoral outcomes reflect majority preference.
This claim has been disputed by rural communities, who insist that they form the bulk of voters during elections and have historically not aligned consistently with the ruling party.
Further findings indicate that opposition parties are actively engaging with aggrieved communities, exploring opportunities to field popular candidates capable of challenging the ruling party’s dominance in the area.
Efforts by Katsina Times to obtain official responses from the Jibia Local Government Chairman and the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the area were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Whether Jibia will emerge as a stronghold for opposition parties in 2027 remains uncertain, but current dynamics suggest a potentially competitive political landscape.
