Distinguished Senator Abdullahi Adamu, a major contender in the March 26, National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is no stranger to Nigerian politics.
Born on 23 July 1946 in Keffi, Nasrawa State, Abdullahi Adamu attended Government Secondary School, Makurdi (1960–1962), the Government Technical College, Bukuru (1962-1965) for his school leaving certificate. He then proceeded to Kaduna Polytechnic for his Diploma (1965-1968) and Higher National Diploma in 1971. Driven by the desire to acquire more knowledge, he proceeded to the University of Jos where he obtained an LLB (Hons) in Law in 1992 and was called to Bar in 1993.
Before he ventured into politics, Distinguished Senator Adamu worked with the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (1967-1971), Northern Nigeria Development Corporation (NNDC) Kaduna (1971); and Project Manager, AEK, consultancy firm (1973). The lawmaker was appointed as the Executive Secretary of the Benue/Plateau Construction Company by the Benue/Plateau State government in 1975. From February 1980 to September 1983 he was Chairman of the Benue Cement Company, Gboko.
Driven by the desire to be of service to his people, Distinguished Senator Adamu joined partisan politics in 1977 and was elected to the Constituent Assembly, which drafted the constitution for Nigeria’s short-lived Second Republic (1979–1983). He was a pioneer member of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), the first Secretary-General of the NPN in Plateau State from December 1978, and chairman of the NPN in the Plateau from 1982 to 1983.
In 1994, he was appointed to the National Constitutional Conference by General Sani Abacha’s administration. In March 1995, Adamu was appointed as Minister of State for Works and Housing and was a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Impressed by his sterling qualities in leadership and other aspects of human endeavour, the people of Nasarawa State elected Senator Adamu as governor in 1999 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was also re-elected as governor in 2003.
Senator Abdullahi Adamu has been in the senate since 2011 representing the people of Nasarawa West Senatorial District.
Adamu’s Chances of Emerging As Next APC National Chairman
Senator Adamu’s chances of clinching the coveted seat got a major boost when the party decided to zone the position of National Chairman to the North-Central zone. The move effectively ended the aspiration of other top contenders from the North-East and North-West zones such as ex-governors Ali Modu Sheriff, Kashim Shetimma, Isa Yuguda and Abdulazeez Yari.
According to a source, Senator Adamu is the candidate to beat because he enjoys the full support of President Muhammadu Buhari. The source noted that the President had endorsed Adamu during his meeting with APC governors before his trip to the United Kingdom.
The source noted that Buhari told the governors that the party chairmanship position should be zoned to the North Central geopolitical zone and Senator Abdullahi Adamu should be the next chairman. The President according to the source believes that the Senator is a unifier going by how he handled the reconciliation committee of the party.
According to the source, the President is expected to convene a stakeholder meeting where other aspirants from the North-Central will be advised to step down for Senator Adamu. Some of these aspirants include a Tanko Almakura, a former governor and current Nasarawa South Senator; Senator George Akume, another former governor and current Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs; Turakin Ilorin, Mallam Saliu Mustapha; Senator Sani Mohammed Musa; a former Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bawa Bwari; and Mohammed Etsu.
Though Adamu does not enjoy the support of most APC governors and some founding members of the party, it is believed that the President’s endorsement will provide them with no choice but to tag along behind Adamu.
With the support of the President, Distinguished Senator Abdullahi Adamu will most certainly coast to victory and emerge as the new chairman of the ruling party.
