By Isidore Mayaki
Those who are imagining that Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari will be consigned to a second order position in Zamfara State politics must be deceiving themselves. In fact, those who know the stuff he is made of will readily know that he is not perturbed by the evil machinations of those who do not wish him well. He is a cat with nine lives who has a way of upsetting the odds stacked against him. The man has become a political Iroko that cannot be dismantled easily. Before becoming Zamfara State Governor in 2011, Yari, in a way, operated under the political structure of Ahmad Sani Yarima who served as governor of the state from 1999 to 2007. But as a sagacious politician, Yari cannot afford to play the rookie longer than necessary . He learnt the ropes fast enough and was able to chart his own course in no time.
In 2019, he was able to prove to his political opponents that he was actually in charge of the politics of the state. He almost effortlessly produced his successor but for the unfortunate annulment of that election by the Supreme Court. Even though that political accident saw Yari’s annointed Governor give way to someone else, he proved a point to those who doubted his capacity. By the outcome of that election, Yari left no one in doubt that his political stature has soared highly. Many believed that he had, by that singular effort of producing his successor, displaced his former boss, Ahmad Yarima as the political leader of Zamfara state.
For Yari, the unfortunate incident of 2019 was a setback. But as a practical politician who knows how to take charge of situations, Yari did not allow that development to slow him down. He trudged on with single-mindedness, blocking loopholes wherever one existed. Today, the former governor has bounced back with amazing grace and candor. You would therefore be stating the obvious if you say that Senator Yari, who now represents Zamfara West in the Senate, cannot be mistaken for an accidental politician. He is not. Instead, he is a well-honed political tactician whose exploits usually leave many wondering in amazement. It is for this reason that he has continued to ride the crest regardless of the many distractions from political jobbers.
As governor, Yari was easily one of the very visible and impactful governors that Nigeria could boast of. As a strong manager of men and institutions, Yari presided over the affairs of the Nigeria Governors Forum with amazing competence. Under him, the Forum was more united than ever. It also made remarkable impact by giving the governors a strong voice. As chairman of the senate committee on Water Resources, Yari is leaving no stone unturned in his effort towards ensuring that that critical sub sector is given a new lease of life.
Apparently stupefied by Yari’s steady political ascendancy, those who do not wish him well have resorted to cheap blackmail as an instrument of destruction. The are worried that Senator Yari, the man of means, could swallow whatever that is left of them if he is not checkmated. They are therefore searching far afield, scavenging for reasons and sources of Yari’s wealth. Unable to hold on to something tangible, they are querying his investments in Geregu Power and Amperion Power. They are also accusing him of illegal gold mining. For them, Yari’s riches can be traced to his alleged involvement in illegal gold mining.
But Yari, ebullient as ever, has shrugged off these distractions. He has told those who care to listen that he has no hand whatsoever in illegal gold mine. He also has nothing to do with the gold bars that were recently seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano. To prove that Yari is not joking, the anti-graft agencies that chose to investigate the allegations against him have not seen any substance in those allegations. All said, the allegations against the senator have turned out to be only a fluke.
But his detractors have a target. They want to diminish his political impact and, at the same time, set him on collision course with President Bola Tinubu. Right now, Yari enjoys a robust relationship with Mr President. Tinubu as a smart politician knows that Yari is an asset. With the likes of Yari around the president, his efforts at penetrating the North West in the 2027 presidential election would get a big boost. Yari’s detractors are not comfortable about this. Unfortunately, they cannot do for Tinubu what Yari can do for him.
At the Senate, Yari is a very strong force to reckon with. During the race for the Senate Presidency under the Tinubu administration, Yari was on top of the situation. He was head and shoulder above most of those that indicated interest in the high office. If Tinubu had not ceded the position to the south, Yari would have clinched the coveted office of the Senate President. But his detractors are afraid that he could still be a force to reckon with in 2027. Yari has a return ticket to the senate. It is believed that he will win his reelection bid decisively. When this happens, Yari would, again, become the cynosure of all eyes. He has what it takes to lead and lead well.
These barrage of attacks notwithstanding, Yari has proved that politics is not for the faint-hearted. He has warded off the distractions with astonishing ease. He has refused to be distracted by the howl and hoopla from idle minds. Rather than lose sleep over this, the man is busy engaging in worthwhile ventures. He has, for instance, been engaging with traditional and religious leaders in Zamfara State for peace and national unity. He once hosted 3000 imams for special prayers in Zamfara. He has also been busy engaging in philanthropic activities. He is given to empowering the less privileged from time to time. But unlike most politicians who blow their trumpets in situations like this, Yari prefers to operate quietly. He is a silent achiever who believes in the power of intangibles. As a bridge builder with a network of contacts, Yari will surely continue to command attention and followership in the years ahead.
*Mayaki writes from Lagos.