Jigawa government speaks on ‘allocating houses to Kannywood actors’

The Jigawa State Government has denied allegations that it allocated houses at the Danmodi Housing Estate in Ringim to popular APC musician Dauda Kahutu Rarara and members of the Triple R group.

The government described the allegation as false, insisting that the housing estate was constructed to provide affordable accommodation for residents across the state.

Dady Ringim, a new media aide to Governor Umar Namadi, dismissed the claim while reacting to the controversy, which erupted on social media following a viral video allegedly featuring Rarara and members of the Triple R group claiming that the governor had allocated houses to them.

The video sparked reactions from opposition figures and other social media users, with some questioning the propriety of allocating houses in a publicly funded housing project to entertainers.

One of those who criticised the alleged allocation was Zakari Kafin Hausa, a former aide to Namadi and the African Democratic Congress candidate for Auyo/Kafin Hausa Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election.

Opposition figure questions alleged allocation

In a Facebook post, Kafin Hausa questioned the reported allocation, expressing concern about the management of the housing project, which he said was allegedly financed with public funds.

He also criticised what he perceived as questionable decisions by the state administration.

“There are certain decisions taken by this administration that I am wondering whether it is the Umar Namadi we have always known making them or he has been replaced with ‘Jibrin from Sudan,’” he said.

Kafin Hausa’s comments added to the debate over the alleged distribution of houses and whether the beneficiaries, if any, met the requirements for accessing accommodation under the state government’s housing programme.

Government explains purpose of housing estate

However, Ringim rejected the interpretation of the viral video, arguing that the statements attributed to Rarara and members of the Triple R group did not establish that the governor had given them houses as gifts.

According to him, the group was highlighting the governor’s efforts in providing affordable housing for residents rather than announcing the receipt of personal gifts.

“The Triple R statement does not mean the Governor has gifted them houses; they are trying to establish the fact that the Governor has constructed the affordable Housing Estate for the people of the state,” Ringim said.

He explained that the Danmodi Housing Estate project covered all 27 local government areas of Jigawa State, adding that the houses were available to residents who met the stipulated requirements.

“The Danmodi Housing Estate was constructed across the whole 27 local governments of the state and are available for the citizens whoever meet the requirements,” he said.

Ringim maintained that the group was promoting the administration’s development projects, including housing, education, infrastructure, healthcare and agriculture.

“What they are doing is to advertise the good work of Governor Umar Namadi, not only Housing Estate, including Tsangaya, roads, health, agriculture among others,” he added.

Aide defends Namadi’s administration

The governor’s aide also defended the administration’s record, arguing that its projects and policies were strengthening Namadi’s standing among residents and improving his prospects ahead of future elections.

He said the government’s achievements were making a lasting impression on the people, particularly young residents, and maintained that political support should be assessed against the administration’s performance.

“Politics is not built on rhetoric alone; it requires action and the trust of the people,” Ringim said.

He expressed confidence that voters would ultimately determine the state’s political future based on their assessment of the administration’s performance.

Ringim also urged political actors to verify information before making public allegations, warning that political differences should not encourage the spread of misinformation.

Controversy raises questions over public housing

The dispute has continued to generate debate on social media over the alleged allocation of houses to the entertainers and the management of publicly funded housing projects in Jigawa State.

While Kafin Hausa questioned the reported allocation, the state government maintained that the viral video had been misinterpreted and did not demonstrate that the governor had gifted houses to Rarara and members of the Triple R group.

The government did not announce any specific allocation to the entertainers in its response, instead stressing that access to the Danmodi Housing Estate was subject to the programme’s requirements.

The controversy has renewed public attention on transparency, eligibility criteria and accountability in the distribution of government-funded housing, particularly where allegations involve public figures and politically affiliated entertainers.