Meet Senator Abubakar Abba Kyari: Son of respected general, now acting Chairman of APC
Story from Ibraheem Hamza MUHAMMAD, Abuja
Senator Abubakar Abba Kyari, the new acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is the son of the respected military Governor of the old North Central State (now Kaduna and Katsina States), Brigadier General Abba Kyari, may his soul rest in peace.
Before assuming the role of acting Chairman, Senator Abubakar Kyari served as the National Vice Chairman of the ruling party.
Senator Abubakar Kyari’s father, Brigadier Abba Kyari, attended Barewa College, Zaria for his secondary school education, and his roll number was B1001.
Prior to his appointment as the Military Governor of North Central state (now Kaduna and Katsina states), Brigadier Abba Kyari served as the Commander of the 5th Battalion under the Military regime of General Yakubu Gowon in August 1967. He succeeded the office of the then Military Governor of Northern State, General Hassan Usman Katsina.
During his tenure, Brigadier Abba Kyari initiated significant infrastructure projects, including water supply expansion, major trunk roads, hospitals, educational institutions, and the Kaduna Central Market, now known as Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gunmi Market.
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Under his leadership, the number of primary schools increased to 646, and secondary schools to 27, resulting in a 63 per cent increase in enrolment. He also executed numerous projects through direct labour.
Additionally, Abba Kyari established the North Central State Cooperative Bank, which later became the Nigeria Universal Bank. Unfortunately, due to alleged negligence, the bank’s shareholders lost control, and it was acquired by new owners, FCMB Plc.
Noteworthy individuals like Malam Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa and Alhaji Ahmad Muhammad Makarfi also served as chief accountants at the bank before becoming governors of the state.
During his service as Colonel, Abba Kyari allocated land for the establishment of the National Eye Centre in Kaduna when the South South region declined to provide land.
Despite his dedicated service, Brigadier Abba Kyari did not receive gratuity or pension from the state government. He only received his military salary during his time in office. He did not take any special allowances, cars, official furniture, or receive a house from the government. All financial transactions were handled by designated officials, following the proper procedure. Abba Kyari’s aides included Alhaji Sani Zango Daura, Alhaji Mamman Nasir, Alhaji Garba Ja Abdulkadir, Malam Abbas Dabo Sambo, and Alhaji Shehu Abbas.
After retiring as a General, Abba Kyari served as a delegate at the 1994 National Constitutional Conference. He was appointed Chairman of the National Defence Committee during the conference. He also joined the board of directors of First Bank of Nigeria, Standard Alliance Insurance, Merchant Bank of Commerce, Gamah Flour Mills, and Alif Engineering and Construction.
Brigadier Abba Kyari passed away on November 25, 2018. May his soul rest in peace.
Similarly, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the son of Brigadier Abba Kyari, has had a notable political career. Prior to becoming the Vice Chairman of the ruling political party, he represented Borno North Senatorial district in the National Assembly.
Born on January 15, 1963, Senator Abubakar Kyari attended Capital School Kaduna for his primary education from 1968 to 1974. Like his father, he also attended Barewa College Zaria for his secondary education from 1974 to 1979.
He obtained a Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc.) in Economics from the University of Tennessee in 1986 and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis on Finance from Webster University, St. Louis Missouri, USA in 1989.
Senator Kyari’s political career began in 1996 when he became a founding member and Protem National Secretary of the United Nigeria Congress (UNC), which later became the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP).
Over a period of 26 years, Senator Abba Kyari has been elected and appointed to various political positions. He was elected to the House of Representatives (UNCP) in 1998 and served as the State Treasurer of the All Peoples Party (APP) in Borno State from 1998 to 1999. He was re-elected to the House of Representatives (APP) from 1999 to 2003.
In subsequent years, he held positions such as Commissioner of Water Resources (2003-2005), Managing Director of the Rural Water Supply Agency (2005-2007), Commissioner of Education (2007-2008), Commissioner of Water Resources (2008-2010), Commissioner of Home Affairs and Information (2010-2011), Commissioner of Works (2011), and Chief of Staff, Government House Borno State (2011-2014).
In 2015, he was elected as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (APC) and was re-elected in 2019 before being appointed as the Vice Chairman of the ruling political party.
With his extensive experience in government and politics, especially since the return of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, Senator Abubakar Kyari is well-equipped to lead the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the Deputy National Chairman and champion a new beginning for the party.
Married for 32 years, Senator Abubakar Kyari is blessed with four children and a grandson.
A valedictory session was held for him and the APC national chairman, Senator Abdullahi.
The track record of his father, a General, and Senator Abubakar Kyari himself as a Senator, is expected to contribute to the growth and development of the Kyari dynasty and Nigeria as a whole.