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Sen. Umar Tanko Al-makura BioData as written

By ESV. Salihu Abdullahi Osuko

Al-Makura is a graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a scion of a multi-billionaire businessman, who himself had become a business mogul himself since the 70s. He was listed several years ago as one of the governors, who entered the Government Houses as multi-billionaire with his net worth is put at nearly US$300 million. They said his success at running businesses mainly account for his success in political leadership as governor.

Al-Makura made his first political incursion in the Second Republic when he emerged the Youth Leader of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the old Plateau State in 1980. He was elected into the 1988/1989 Constituent Assembly.

He is not new to party administration, having served as the State Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC) between 1990 to 1992. He was a major political force behind the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) under Abacha’s transition and later became a founding member and one of the major financiers of the PDP in 1998.

A loyal party man, he remained committed to the PDP even when the late Alhaji Aliyu Doma, who was APP and ANPP gubernatorial candidate in the 1999 and 2003 elections, respectively, picked PDP’s gubernatorial ticket in the 2007 elections.

But answering the strident call for change given to what many saw as poor performance of that administration, Al-Makura and his followers moved into the CPC when denied the PDP ticket in questionable circumstances.

Although many saw it as a political suicide since Nasarawa was seen as a one party state under a PDP stranglehold, he wrought a major upset in the 2011 elections, beating Governor Doma.

A smooth navigator, Al-Makura skillfully maneuvered through the roadblocks and intimidations of the PDP, including a menacing impeachment attempt in 2014 despite CPC commanding only four seats as against PDP’s 20 seats in the 24-member House of Assembly.

He went on to complete two terms, bequeathing the laudable legacies that have earned him the sobriquet, “Architect of modern Nasarawa State” among the masses and elites alike, the governor inclusive.

On the political turf, he also broke jinxes including ensuring President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in Nasarawa in 2019, the first by Buhari in any presidential election. Under his leadership the APC equally won Nasarawa’s three senatorial seats for the first time. Al-Makura has steadily increased in estimation and influence, not only among his people, but equally across the nation.

A political analyst, Ndubuisi Ezenna recently wrote: “Al-Makura has become the proverbial elephant explored by nine blind men, each describing the elephant based on his experience. To some, it is Al-Makura’s mettle, maturity, humility, widespread, and goodwill. To others, it is his consistency, loyalty, and pan Nigerian and metropolitan nature. But to many, he has paid his dues as a party financier. Yet many more believe in his record as a party administrator, political strategist, and a silent hurricane”.

“As the lone Governor of Buhari’s defunct party, CPC; as one who showed absolute faith in President Buhari and believed in him so much as not to defect or abandon him, there is no doubt that Al-Makura should be a close ally and confidant of the President, who himself does not joke with loyalty. What surprises many, however, is that Al-Makura does not throw weight about or engage in influence peddling. He goes about his legislative businesses quietly and responsibly”.

ESV Salihu Abdullahi Osuko
Garkuwan Giza
Media Aide To Distinguish People’s Senator Umar Tanko Almakura.