Why Abubakar D. Aliyu is good for Yobe State gubernatorial seat in 2027, By Mustapha Ahmed

It is widely known that a golden fish has no hidden place. No matter how deep the water is, a golden fish will always stand out. Because its beauty, shine, and uniqueness make it impossible to hide. These are part of qualities of the Former Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu, CON. In the political landscape of Yobe State, there is no golden fish than the respected former minister. The undisputed facts about him are his talent, integrity, good character, and purpose cannot remain unnoticed forever in all the public and political offices he held. Another sterling quality of Abubakar Aliyu is that he always tries to stay low because of humility but his light will always find a way to shine in all domains either public and political spaces.

As we take a quick peek into the realm of political permutation for the Yobe State gubernatorial seat for 2027 general election, it becomes essential to inform the public on the remarkable achievements of Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu as Yobe State Deputy Governor, Minister of State of Works and Housing, and Minister of Power in the last administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari. Although this write-up is personal opinion, it is aimed at educating Yobe people and Nigerians on the profound impact of Abubakar D. Aliyu’s quality of leadership, shedding light on his progressive initiatives, and the enduring legacy he has carved out in the three political offices that he held in his political journey. I hope readers will join us on this enlightening journey as the piece is focused to unravel some of the political achievements and contributions of Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu to the people of Yobe State and Nigerians in general.

From his biography, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu is type of person that always takes risk to quip himself with necessary professional skills and knowledge to diligently serve his community and nation at large. Born in 1966 and hails from Potiskum in Yobe State, Engineer Abubakar obtained a National Diploma (ND) in Civil Engineering in 1988, and Higher National Diploma (HND) in High Ways and Transportation Engineering in 1993, a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil and Water Resources Engineering from the University of Maiduguri in 1999. In his career, he worked as a Technical Officer in Borno State Ministry of Works from 1988 to 1991, Principal Engineer and Head of Engineering Department in the ministry in 2004. Also, he was appointed as the Supervising Project Engineer of Yobe State Ministry of Housing in 2007, and Managing Director of Yobe State Housing and Property Development Corporation, as well as the Ag. Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Housing in 2009.

He was deputy governor (to Governor Ibrahim Gaidam) in Yobe State for ten and half years, making him the longest serving deputy governor in Nigeria. As deputy governor in Yobe State, he served as the overseeing commissioner in the ministries for health, commerce and integrated rural development. He was at various times appointed to head Yobe State Task Force on Immunization and Primary Healthcare, Yobe State Committee on Resettlement and Rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons, Yobe State Boundary Committee, Yobe State Environmental Committee, and Yobe State Sanitation Committee.

Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu made great exploits as head of the Committee for the Rehabilitation and Return of IDPs, where he administered the affairs of the IDPs at the camps and host communities, as well as successfully returned the IDPs back to their homes. He was appointed Minister of Power by President Buhari after he sacked Engr. Sale Mamman. He is expected to lead the Federal Government Strategic Power Initiative, including power projects such as the Mambilla Hydropower, among others. Nigeria is now reaping the benefits of the policy changes that Engineer Abubakar Aliyu introduced in the power sector to stop the incessant national grid failure in the country. Leaders who change nations often do so while ignoring the personal risk. During his stewardship as Minister of Power and Federal Cabinet Member of Late President Buhari’s administration, the power sector in the country has enjoyed many billions of naira worth of intervention funding, brilliant policies to drive the renewable energy sector, government’s willingness to cut down electricity subsidies and give the sector an electricity pricing model that could guarantee commercial returns.

As every great leader always carries a vision larger than themselves, Engineer Abubakar has in 2022 budget influenced the Federal Ministry of Power under the Electricity Vision 30:30:30 to construct a 1megawatt Solar Power Plant at Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, Damaturu, with aim of promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency options in order to reduce over dependence on national grid as well as reducing government spending for public building electricity consumption. Similarly, with a matching order of Governor Mai Mala Buni, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu as then Minister of Power facilitated the connection of Bara town, the headquarter of Gulani Local Government to national grid and at same secured the Federal Government approval for establishing 132 KVA substation in Geidam town. As the Minister of Power, he also championed the upgrade of Damaturu 330 substation with an additional mobile 150mva substation apart from the replacement of the old 60mva transformer at Potiskum 132 substation with a new one to improve steady power supply to the people of Yobe State.  These are some of his gestures that always go along with his inherent willingness to stake personal standing and spread development in the State based on what he believes to be the larger national good for all people without sentiment.

At Yindiski Primary and UBE School, Potiskum, the Former Minster of Power has personally built and donated a one storey building that houses numerous classrooms that were furnished and provided with air-condition and other modern teaching facilities. The building is one of good numbers of projects such as boreholes, Primary health care centres, roads among others in various across local government areas of the State so as to compliment Governor Mai Mala’s giant stride in revamping education, health care delivery and economic activities in the State. It was his office as Minister of State of Works and Housing that collaborated with Senator Ahmed Lawan Ibrahim to facilitate the construction of Gasamu-Gogaram road as first phase while the second phase of the project was approved to link towns and villages to Nguru main road. Other roads that were constructed through his influence include Potiskum-Azare-Kano and Damaturu-Potiskum dual carriage way as well as road networks in the Federal Polytechnic Damaturu.  Apart from these road projects, Engineer Abubakar secured the mandate for the Federal Road Maintenace Agency FERMA to execute rehabilitation work on roads linking Nguru-Gashua, Garin Alkali-Baimari, and Hawan Malka-Socol road construction with drainages in Potiskum town.

In fact, what explains the resonance of Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu with Yobe’s people, across divides of the political zones, class, and generation lies in his leadership philosophy that anchors on the principles of accountability, inclusivity, and sustainable development without sentiment and favouritism. These are the very traits by which history remembers his greatness when he was a Deputy Governor in Yobe State, Minister of State for Works and Housing and Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the second tenure of Late President Buhari.

Since history always remembers those who build nations, not those who merely govern, the former Deputy Governor and Minister possesses qualities and skills needed for the consolidation and continuity of the lofty policies of the present APC led administration under Governor Mai Mala Buni CON that is placing tremendous emphasis on educational reforms. Equally, the former Deputy Governor is more than ready to carry on with the implementation of Governor Mai Mala administration’s comprehensive policies aimed at investing in infrastructure and youth empowerment and equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to build a brighter future for Yobe. Like his mentor, the Former Governor of Yobe State, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu has passion to equip the next generation in the State with the tools they need to compete on a global scale and drive Yobe’s progress forward.

A recipient of numerous professional awards that include fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and a member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu believes that infrastructure development is key for paving the path to growth, he will not joke with the policies of his predecessors in the State that significant investment in infrastructure development. He will continue to recognize the need for robust transportation networks, reliable energy systems, and modernized healthcare facilities as demonstrated by present Buni administration which its ambitious infrastructure and development agenda are very visible in all parts of the State especially the electrification of rural areas, quality medical services, economic empowerment and promoting entrepreneurship. Engineer D. Aliyu will equally prioritize economic growth and diversification of poverty alleviation, reducing unemployment rates, and enhance the overall standard of living for all Yobeans that form his major concerns always. Under his watch, the legacies of the current APC led administration of implementing policies and programs to stimulate economic growth and create opportunities for job creation will not suffer set back in Yobe State.

As a staunch advocate for good governance, transparency, and accountability, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu will not turn his back on the current governance reforms that Governor Mai Mala is implementing in the State.  Because the Public and political life of the Former Minister has been characterized by his unwavering commitment to continuity, progress, inclusivity, and sustainable development. They are some of the reasons why Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu has all it takes to solidify the foundation for a brighter future for all Yobean and placing the State on a path of growth, positioning it as a beacon of hope and progress in Nigeria.

Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu has strong and unmatchable political credentials and experience when compared to many gladiators in the State, having served as the State Deputy Governor for over a decade, Minister of State of Works and Housing and Minister of Power throughout the second tenure of late President Muhammadu Buhari with unblemished records. It is an indication that Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu is good for Yobe gubernatorial seat comes 2027 as his exceptional loyalty to his political party and party members is not questionable.

On final note, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu, whose principles are anchored on THINKING YOBE, LOVING YOBE, BUILDING YOBE!  is type of person that “He always puts his faith in Allah and practices what he believes: He lives simply and honestly; he cheats no one and holds no grudges against others, no matter the case; he willingly shares whatever he has, no matter how little, and works very hard while denying himself basic pleasures…”. Because of this, Yobe State and its people will be lucky and developed more with Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu as its governor comes 2027

M. Y. Ahmed
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