By Ali Rabiu Ali Jigawa
What was meant to be a simple party registration turned into an unforgettable homecoming on Sunday in Hadejia, Jigawa State, as former Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, walked slowly through waves of supporters who insisted on turning his return into a celebration of loyalty, gratitude and shared history.
Under the early afternoon sun, Babandede arrived at the Hadejia city gate to renew his membership with the All Progressives Congress (APC). What followed was not just a procession, but a moving reminder of how deeply political identity, community roots and personal relationships remain intertwined in northern Nigeria.
The distance from the city gate to Kasuwar Ƙuda ward would ordinarily take minutes to cover. On this day, it stretched into more than four hours. Elderly men leaned on walking sticks as they waited patiently for a glimpse.
Young men chanted slogans. Women watched from shop fronts and doorways, whispering prayers and pointing excitedly as the familiar face passed by.
“This is not politics alone,” said a middle-aged trader who abandoned his stall to join the crowd. “This is our son coming back to us.”
For many in Hadejia, Babandede’s return symbolised more than a party ritual. It was about recognition a former national figure coming back to renew ties with the grassroots that shaped him.
At the ward registration point, visibly moved by the turnout, Babandede paused to thank the people for their patience and affection. He spoke softly but firmly, acknowledging the long wait and the overwhelming show of support.
“This love is not taken for granted,” he told supporters, assuring them that he would continue to respond whenever they called on him.
He used the moment to reaffirm his loyalty to the APC and to commend the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for efforts at tackling insecurity and supporting Jigawa State. He also praised Governor Umar Namadi, describing his administration as focused and people-centred.
But beyond the speeches, it was the human interactions that defined the day the handshakes, the brief embraces, the whispered words of encouragement. Elder statesman Ambassador Haruna Ginsau described Babandede as a man whose political journey has remained consistent.
“He has never forgotten where he comes from,” Ginsau said, noting that the party values loyalty not just in words, but in actions.
The ward chairman echoed this sentiment, describing Babandede’s approach to party affairs as empathetic and sincere qualities that, according to him, have endeared him to both leaders and ordinary members.
As the sun dipped lower, Babandede made his way to the APC Local Government Secretariat in Hadejia, where he formally reaffirmed his membership before party officials. By then, what was scheduled as a brief exercise had stretched beyond five hours.
Supporters had arrived not only from Hadejia but from other parts of Jigawa, particularly the North-East Senatorial District, turning the venue into a melting pot of chants, conversations and shared political memories.
For the APC leadership in the local government, the day was a reminder of the power of grassroots connection. The party chairman described Babandede as “a valued son of the soil” whose contributions continue to strengthen the party.
As dusk settled over Hadejia, the crowd slowly dispersed, tired but fulfilled. Babandede’s registration had been completed, but the message of the day lingered that in politics, titles may open doors, but it is people who carry leaders home.
