Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim: A Tribute to the First Civilian Governor of Yobe State
By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo
Death is inevitable and whenever a soul is taken, it is usually a reminder about the vanity and futility of this world.It is also an indication that no one will live forever on this planet, called earth. It was on the 4th February, 2024 when I read it online that the first civilian Governor of Yobe State, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim had passed on in Saudi Arabia. Innalillahi waina ilaihi rajiun!
He was an embodiment of humility and generosity. One cannot describe him enough, because of his progressive tenacity. You can’t talk about politics and progress in Yobe state without mentioning late Bukar Abba Ibrahim. He was a pacesetter and a pragmatic leader. Majority of the good people of Yobe State accepted him as a leader, because he was not autocratic but democratic and inclusive. It is a public knowledge whether under the sun or in the rain, and even across the length and breadth of Nigeria that he was the father of Yobe State politics.
Before dwelling so much on his personality and sagacity in the realm of politics, it is imperative to take a brief look at his early life.
Bukar Abba Ibrahim was born in 1949 but according to Wikipedia, the exact date is shrouded in uncertainty. This is not new because we have so many of our aged parents who did not know their exact dates of birth. In fact, in Ilorin, my city, some old people would only tell you they were born during the reign of a particular Emir of Ilorin and they use that as a standard and yardstick to know their age. He began his primary school education in 1957. Ibrahim proceeded to Government College in Maiduguri for his secondary education in 1965 and got admission into the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1972. He obtained his certificate from the department of Quantity Surveying in 1975. Bukar Abba Ibrahim proceeded to the United Kingdom to undergo post-graduate professional training between 1981 and 1982 and that qualified him to become a member of the Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors. From 1985 to 1988, he worked as a civil servant in Borno State and eventually became Commissioner of Works.
His Political Journey
In December 1991 a few months after Yobe State was created, he contested and won the gubernatorial election under the banner of the Social Democratic party (SDP).He held the position until November 1993, when the military took control of the government. On 5th of August 1993 Governor Ibrahim split the four Emirates in the state to thirteen. Although the move was reversed by the military regime of General Sani Abacha, it however got re-implemented under the civilian governorship of Bukar Abba Ibrahim on 6 January, 2000.
As Nigeria transitioned from military to civilian rule beginning in late 1998, gubernatorial elections were conducted in January 1999 and Bukar Abba Ibrahim was again elected governor under the banner of the All People’s Party (APP), and sworn-in to office on 29 May, 1999. This was the same time Late Governor Muhammad Lawal also became Governor of Kwara state under the platform of All People’s Party. May Allah grant the duo his mercy.
The APP was later renamed All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) due to a factional division. Ibrahim was re-elected in 2003 for a second four-year term.
*Some of his achievements as a Governor*
Governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim administration established the following higher institutions of learning in Yobe State: Yobe State University, Damaturu, School of Nursing Damaturu, College of Health Sciences, Nguru,
College of Legal Studies Nguru, Yobe State Polytechnic, Geidam,
College of Agriculture, Gujba, Yobe mosque and Islamic center (Mosque & School),
Unimaid Remedial Satellite campus in Damaturu,
Best Centers and
Teaching Service Board,
*Housing*
As a Governor his administration constructed the following housing projects:
Abba Ibrahim Housing Estate Damaturu,
Zannah Zakariyya Housing Estate Damaturu,
Waziri Ibrahim Housing Estate Damaturu,
Don Etebet Housing Estate Damaturu,
Obasanjo Housing Estate Damaturu,
Nyanya Housing Estate Damaturu,
Buhari Housing Estate Damaturu,
250 Housing Estate Damaturu,
Ali Marami Housing Estate,
3Bedrooms and
Furniture loan for civil servants
In 2007 he was elected as a Senator representing Yobe East and got re-elected in 2011 and 2015. He wanted to go for another term in 2019 as a Senator representing Yobe East, here is the evidence as published by Vanguard Newspaper of 10 August, 2018 . Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim said “Insha-Allah I will be seeking re-election back to the senate in the forth coming election and I do not see anybody as a threat. I have no problem with my constituency and the electorate. I have not been recalled by those who voted me to represent them and I am physically and mentally fit.”
Essentially, in a video I had opportunity to watch recently, he said a leader must be ready to make sacrifices. That was how he withdrew for the then Governor Ibrahim Geidam to contest for Senate in 2019 under the platform of All Progressives Congress. Here is what he said in the video ahead of 2019 general elections.
“..So this is our incoming Governor insha Allah.This is our incoming Senator for Yobe East Senatorial District Insha Allah.This small man here continues to be the father of Yobe politics. As a father it is my responsibility to keep the family going and when you are keeping a family going, you are bound to make sacrifices and bound to talk to your family collectively.” He was referring to the current Governor of Yobe State, His Excellency Mai Mala Buni as the incoming Governor, while he was also referring to His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Geidam as the incoming Senator. The duo were with him in the video.
Professor P.L.O Lumumba when challenging long-term African Leaders said: “No matter how good you are, if you stay for too long you spoil it. A good dancer must know when to leave the stage.” I think this was in tandem with what Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim did as he left the stage then when the ovation was loud. It takes a courageous and selfless leader to take such a bold decision.
His unwavering humility
In the viral video I analysed earlier, the father of Yobe politics referred to himself as a small man.That is one of the traits of great men. They are synonymous with humility. When Vice President Kashim Shettima paid a condolence visit to the Governor of Yobe State at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he referred to late Bukar Abba Ibrahim as an icon of humility.Other prominent Nigerians have mourned him including the Senate and House of Representatives.
Similarly, a retired Director in the Yobe State Civil Service who craved for anonymity opined thus,
“Governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim was a very humble person and pioneer Governor that started the owner occupier of government quarters in the state. We also benefitted from the scheme”
There is no perfect government anywhere in the world but the Yobe State that Bukar Abba Ibrahim was their leader during his life time is not fairing bad. I was on my way to Maiduguri in December, 2023 , few kilometers to Damaturu, if one’s needle fell down one can pick it instantly, because of proper lightning aided by streetlights. Such can only be found in Abuja and Lagos.The old Gujba road has also been dualized kitted with standard streetlights.
In terms of education, the late Bukar Abba Ibrahim’s administration introduced free education and foreign scholarships. I knew that for sure that the Yobe State Government sent some people abroad for post graduate studies even as at the time I was there as a corper.
His interest in hockey was huge and was the President and Board of Nigeria Hockey Federation.The association in their condolence message described him thus: “Late Bukar Abba was an icon in the game of Hockey, a reputable man who contributed to the growth and development of Hockey in Nigeria. Our sincere prayer is, may Almighty Allah grant the family left behind fortitude to bear this great loss.”
I have never met late Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim and even the late Governor Mamman Ali but I have seen Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam once, the former Governor of Yobe State, who is now the current Minister of Police Affairs. In 2007 I was at the Damaturu Stadium during the passing out parade for Batch B 2006/2007 when Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam, the then deputy Governor represented Governor Mamman Ali. Being the News Editor of NYSC Editorial CDS group in Yobe State; it gave me and other members the opportunity to be at the podium during the event.
I have tremendous affinity with the good people of Yobe State, because I did my youth service with Yobe Broadcasting Corporation, YBC Damaturu between 2007/2008 and that gave me a vantage to know about Yobe State politics. I served as a newscaster and co-presenter of news magazine at the radio house and I made a lot of friends there. May Allah grant Late Hajiya Aishat Ardo, my producer then, aljannah firdaus. Being a Fulani man from Ilorin we shared superiority jokes between Kanuri and Fulani within the Broadcasting house without any ill feelings.It was a long time joke I have grown to witness in Ilorin, so when I got to Damaturu I realised that it transcended my state.
Furthermore, One significant thing I have learnt about the political voyage and life of late Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim was his consistency. He remained an opposition politician nationally until APC won presidential election in 2015. If you are not consistent you cannot go far in the realm of politics. The reason is simple, consistency breeds trust; once you don’t have it you lose monumental confidence to navigate across different political opinions and emancipation.
There are high profile opposition politicians like Adamu Maina Wazir,the former Minister of Police Affairs under President Good luck Jonathan’s administration and others in Yobe State, but despite their political calculations and permutations over the years they have never succeeded in dislodging Bukar Abba Ibrahim political party from Yobe State Government House. He died as a political tactician and champion in Yobe state, North East and in the entire Nigeria political landscape. There must be something special about him which may not be far from being resilient, patient, tolerant, generous, pragmatic, sagacious, inclusive and goal-oriented.
I should not forget the ever green statement made by late Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim and it kept regurgitating in my thought. He said “Almajiri system is unislamic”
He was married to three wives: Hajiya (Dr) Maryam Bukar Abba-Ibrahim, Late Hajiya Aishatu Bukar Abba- Ibrahim and Hajiya Khadija Bukar Abba -Ibrahim, a former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Former member of House of Representatives under the platform of All Progressives Congress.
Most importantly,I appeal to His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni, Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Geidam and other political family of Bukar Abba Ibrahim to sustain his legacy of good governance in the interest of the state and her good people. Dividends of democracy should continue to percolate and penetrate across the people in villages and towns of Yobe State. Good education, provision of road infrastructure, security and scholarships for the indigent students should continue.
Let me end this piece with a quote by Henry Wadsworth L. “Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime, and departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time. Indeed, the father of Yobe State politics has left a footprint that will stand on the sands of time. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him aljannah firdaus (ameen).
