After Serving Aminu Tambuwal during his time as Speaker of the House of Representatives and Governor of Sokoto State, Jaafaru Yakubu was the ADC to PDP chieftain from 2011 to 2022, when the Governor asked him to resign to contest for a House of Representatives seat. The House of Reps-elect explains to Truson Sydney why he took the plunge into politics
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State is returning to the National Assembly as a Senator elected for Sokoto Central Constituency when his term as governor expires on May 29th.
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Although many may not be in the know that Tambuwal, a lawyer and two-time time Presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (2019 and 2023), is returning to the National Assembly with a young man Jaafaru Yakubu who has been his ADC since 2011 when he was elected Speaker till last year when he asked him to resign to contest for a House of Representatives seat in his home state of Taraba.
Many kicked against the advice since Tambuwal only decorated Yakubu with the new rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) in 2021, Performing the familiar function for the fifth time since he began working with the officer, in that ceremony Gov. Tambuwal, who was assisted during the brief ceremony by the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone 10, Muhammad A. Mustapha in the presence of the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Ka’oje, wished him God’s guidance and success in all his future endeavours.
A graduate of the University of Maiduguri, CSP Yakubu became an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in 2005 after attending the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil and was deployed to serve as an Aide de Camp (ADC) to the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Usman Bayero Nafada before coming to serve under Gov. Tambuwal, who was at that time a member of the House of Representatives as a Majority Whip while former Governor of Imo State Emeka Ihedioha was the Whip.
No sooner had Nafada left the National Assembly but could not win election as Governor of Gombe State than Tambuwal who was then elected first among equals as the Speaker in 2011 picked interest in working with ‘that fine officer’. And the rise started with Tambuwal having the rare privilege of decorating the respectable police officer a record five times.
Rising through the ranks after attending courses at home and abroad, CSP Yakubu is the founder of Chiroma Yakubu Charity Foundation, a body that supports less privileged persons and communities. Although many kicked against Yakubu’s resignation from the police to try his hands in the murky waters of Nigerian politics, having attained the rank of CSP, like an obedient and humble servant and having been around the Legislative and Executive arm of government for a record 15 years, he must have understood the terrain he wanted to venture into and what he stood to gain if he remained with the Nigeria Police Force.
Of course, Ja’afaru as he is fondly called by his friends and kinsmen chose to listen to himself and the man he worked with for the greater part of his police career while declaring that he is going to the “National Assembly To Serve My People”
He took a bow from the Police and headed to Mutum Biyu, the headquarters of the Gassol local government area of Taraba State where well-wishers stormed the town to attend a reception in his honour. The event was organised by a charity organisation established by the celebrant, Chiroma Yakubu Charity Foundation Initiative to celebrate his glorious exit from the Nigerian Police Force.
As thousands of his supporters mostly members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) received him in Dinya village on Gassol/Wukari boundary and drove in a long motorcade for about seventy-two kilometers to Mutum Biyu, one of his close friends was still curious to ask if he actually had a well thought out plan to confront the challenges ahead. Interestingly, Yakubu confirmed that he learned the ropes while at the National Assembly serving two great politicians in the person of Hon Nafada and Aminu Tambwal as Deputy Speaker and Speaker respectively.
More so, he has also followed Tambuwal from becoming a Governor in the state of the Caliphate Sokoto on two occasions, following also two time in his failed bid of becoming the flag bearer of the PDP in 2019 during the presidential primaries in Port Harcourt and last year in Abuja,
“You will know that from when I started in 2007 after graduating from the University and two years after my training from the Police Academy in Wudil, Kano State, I must have learnt so much following the two politicians. At the initial stage, I shook a little, having discussed with my family, traditional rulers and friends. I picked up courage when I had the time to sit with Governor Tambuwal. He found the idea laudable and gave me his blessings.”
At Mutum Biyu, while reflecting on his retirement and the decision, his entourage moved to the palace of the Chief of Mutum Biyu, His Royal Highness Alhaji Muhammad Sani Suleiman who prayed for the success of the event and cautioned the celebrant on the need to maintain peace and security in whatever he does. The monarch expressed joy that CSP Ja’afaru Yakubu Ciroma (rtd) has performed creditably well at the Nigerian Police Force and wished him well in his future endeavours stressing that any public servant is always looking for a glorious exit which Ja’afaru has achieved it.
Even at the gathering in a town square, the chairman of Gassol local government council, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi Chul thanked the organisers of the event and told them it was so unique as it celebrated the giant strides of an achiever and a philanthropist adding that the people of the area were appreciative of Ja’afaru’s contributions in the nation’s security.
It was not all about politics, “It’s the happiest moment for me to stand before you. I worked in the Nigerian Police Force for a period of 17 years. I voluntarily resigned and came back healthy and clean without being paraded in the media for any crime or corrupt practice. We worked based on the proper upbringing that we got from our community which dwells on discipline, respect and dignity. We worked in a security agency and with God’s intervention; we performed creditably well and came back so clean. Some of our colleagues that we started together crashed out but we have God’s protection.
“I want to express my gratitude to Allah and commend you for the warm reception accorded us. I also want to applaud the leadership of Ciroma Yakubu Foundation Initiative for organising this event,” Said Ja’afaru Ciroma. He finally let the cat out of the bag and used the occasion to disclose that he purchased a nomination form to contest for the membership of the House of Representatives for Bali/Gassol Federal Constituency under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
To his kinsman and very good friend Hamisu Ibrahim, also from Gasol. Hamisu who confirmed being a close friend and associate of Ja’afaru for over 30 years, “The political story of our dear constituency can not be written without highlighting the impactful contributions of member house of representatives elect, CSP Ja’afar Yakubu Chiroma ADC (rtd) has made to strengthen democracy in Taraba state.
According to Hamisu, I knew that he rarely takes the wrong step. When he discussed it with me, we all moved to actualise it.
Hard work and dedication earned you a positive destination to where you are today. You are such a model, a rare gem and a confidant that we cannot trade for anything. History has beckoned on you to be a true patriot, bridge builder and a valuable asset to reckon with. Your humility and service to humanity shall be the factor of elevation to you and your entire family.
On the 25th day of February, the day of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, Yakubu after his morning prayers said he was optimistic that he was going to win the highest number of votes to beat his opponents coming mainly from the APC and APGA candidates. The electorate voted for him and he posted 43,315 votes in Bali and Gassol as against the APC candidates’ 20,891 and 6,182 scored by the APGA candidate.
The retired Police officer felt elated that he was coming back to the National Assembly. After collecting his Certificate of Returns in Abuja, he moved straight to the outgoing Governor’s residence to present him with the certificate which authenticated his return to the Three Arms Zone to a different walk of life.
Now, he is set to be sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives and would be hoping that whoever emerges as the Speaker or a Leader in the Green Chambers will take into consideration his eight years in the House and as ADC to a Deputy Speaker and Speaker and elevate him to a good committee where his wealth of experience will come to play.
“For me, I have learnt a lot for the eight years in the House and seven years in the state as ADC to a Governor. You don’t buy the experience in the market. I am ready to serve in any capacity/committee whoever is elected Speakers find me suitable” he disclosed on the first day of the retreat for Senators and members elected at the Transcorp Hilton and Sheraton Hotels Abuja.y