Ibrahim Shekarau (born 5 November 1955) is a former Nigerian minister of education[1] and two-term Governor of Kano State in Nigeria. He was elected in April 2003 and re-elected in April 2007. He is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).[2] He was one of the candidates who aspired to become president in the Nigerian general elections of 2011.[3]
Malam Ibrahim Shekarau | |
|---|---|
| Nigerian Senator from Kano Central | |
| In office 11 June 2019 – 11 June 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Rabiu Kwankwaso |
| Succeeded by | Rufai Hanga |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 9 July 2014 – 2015 | |
| President | Goodluck Jonathan |
| Preceded by | Nyesom Wike |
| Succeeded by | Adamu Adamu |
| Kano State Governor | |
| In office 29 May 2003 – 29 May 2011 | |
| Deputy | Magaji Abdullahi (2003–2007) Abdullahi T Gwarzo (2007–2011) |
| Preceded by | Rabiu Kwankwaso |
| Succeeded by | Rabiu Kwankwaso |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 November 1955 Kurmawa |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Political party | PDP |
| Other political affiliations | New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) (2022)
ANPP (2002–2014) PDP (2014–2018) |
| Spouse(s) | Amina Shekarau, Zainab Shekarau, Halima Shekarau & Gaji Dantata |
| Relations | Married |
| Residence | Kano |
| Alma mater | Ahmadu Bello University |
| Occupation | Civil Servant / Politician |
| Profession | Administrator |
Early life and education
editShekarau was born in the Kurmawa quarters of Kano, the son of a police officer. He was educated at Gidan Makama Primary School (1961–1967), then at Kano Commercial College (1967–1973) and finally at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1973–1977) where he received a Degree in Mathematics/Education.
After finishing his Degree, he went into the civil service. Later on, he started his career as a Mathematics teacher at Government Technical College, Wudil in 1978. Two years later he became Principal at Government Day Junior Secondary School, Wudil. In 1980, he was transferred to Government Secondary School, Hadejia, then to Government College Birnin Kudu in 1986, then to Government Secondary School, Gwammaja and then to Rumfa College in March 1988, all as the school's principal.
Career
editShekarau became Deputy Director of Education in charge of Bichi Zonal Education Area in 1992. One year later, he was promoted to Director Planning, Research and Statistics in Ministry of Education. Two years later, he became Director General (Permanent Secretary), Ministry of Education and Youth Development.
In January 1995, Shekarau was transferred to Ministry of Water Resources, Rural and Community Development, then back to Ministry of Education in January – May 1997 before he was asked to move to General Service Directorate of the Cabinet Office, all as Permanent Secretary. By February 2000, he was on the move again to Civil Service Commission, where he stayed for only four months before the civil service commission under Ado Gwaram Government sent him to the State College of Arts, Science and Remedial Studies (CASRS) as Chief Lecturer (Mathematics) at the Department of Physical Sciences, in May 2000. Shekarau remained in this post for 17 months before he voluntarily retired from the services of Kano State Civil Service on 2 October 2001. Some time after quitting his post as Chief Lecturer, he decided to work as a secretary to businessman Aminu Dantata. He was employed under Dantata until he became a contender in the Kano State's 2003 gubernatorial elections.
In May 2022, Shekarau defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP). Three months later, he announced his defection again to the leading opposition party, PDP.[4]
Governorship
editAs Governor, Shekarau opposed polio vaccination campaigns on the grounds that they are actually attempts to make Muslim women infertile. The World Health Organization denied this.[5]
He was the driving force behind the creation of the local religious police, the "Hisbah Guard", which enforces Sharia law.
Shekarau initiated some large scale development projects in Kano State. He also hosted some world leaders like the former German Chancellor Schroeder, Prince Charles, among others. The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero conferred on him, the title of Sardauna of Kano, now of the leading emirate councillors.
Presidential bid
editGovernor Ibrahim Shekarau was one of the unsuccessful candidates for the Nigerian presidential elections of 2011 won by Goodluck Jonathan.[3][6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Usman, Talatu (9 July 2014). "BREAKING: Jonathan swears in Shekarau as Nigeria's Education Minister - Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
- ^ "Ex-Kano Gov, Ibrahim Shekarau joins NNPP". Vanguard. 17 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
- ^ a b "INEC Nigeria". INEC. 16 May 2011. Archived from the original on 23 April 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
- ^ "Shekarau defects to PDP after three months in NNPP". Daily Trust. 29 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Muhammad, Yusuf Sarki (2 March 2004). "Nigeria leader's fight against polio drops". BBC News. Retrieved 16 July 2007.
- ^ "2011 Presidency: Now that Governor Shekarau has declared". 7 August 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
Notes
edit- ^ Abaribe was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in May 2022.
- ^ Abbo was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in November 2020.
- ^ Akpan was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the YPP in July 2022.
- ^ The PDP's Ekpenyong was elected senator in 2019 but a Court of Appeal partially annulled the results and called a supplementary election in the affected areas. Ekpenyong won the ensuing rerun election and was sworn-in again in January 2020.
- ^ Oduah was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in August 2021 before returning to the PDP in April 2022.
- ^ Jika was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the NNPP in June 2022.
- ^ Bulkachuwa was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in November 2022.
- ^ Gumau was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the NNPP in May 2022.
- ^ The PDP's Douye Diri was elected senator in 2019 but resigned in February 2020 after winning election to become Bayelsa State Governor. Cleopas won the ensuing bye-election and took office in December 2020.
- ^ The PDP's Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo was elected senator in 2019 but resigned in February 2020 after winning election to become Bayelsa State Deputy Governor. Dickson won the ensuing bye-election and took office in December 2020.
- ^ a b In April 2022, Adamu and Kyari resigned from the Senate after taking APC party offices the month prior.
- ^ The PDP's Rose Okoji Oko was elected senator in 2019 but died in March 2020. Jarigbe and fellow PDP member Stephen Odey fought in court over the ensuing by-election's PDP nomination; Odey won both initial court decisions and the by-election before taking office late in December 2020. However, Jarigbe later won several court challenges which declared him the legitimate PDP nominee and thus senator. Jarigbe took office in September 2021.
- ^ Nwaoboshi was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in June 2021.
- ^ Alimikhena was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in June 2022.
- ^ The APC's Adedayo Clement Adeyeye was elected senator in 2019 but the NASS Election Petition Tribunal awarded and Court of Appeal affirmed the win to Olujimi. She took office in November 2019.
- ^ Onyewuchi was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the LP in June 2022.
- ^ Due to disputes over alleged irregularities, the APC's Benjamin Uwajumogu was not sworn in until July 2019. Uwajumogu died in December 2019 leading to a bye-election. After disputes, Ibezim was awarded the bye-election victory and took office in April 2021.
- ^ Due to disputes over the alleged forced declaration of his election, Okorocha was not sworn in until June 14, 2019.
- ^ Shekarau was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the NNPP in May 2022 then to the PDP in August 2022.
- ^ Babba Kaita was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in April 2022.
- ^ Aliero was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in May 2022.
- ^ Abdullahi was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in June 2022.
- ^ The PDP's Dino Melaye was elected senator in 2019 but Adeyemi petitioned against the results and the NASS Election Petition Tribunal annulled the results and called a new election. Adeyemi won the ensuing rerun election and took office in December 2019.
- ^ The APC's Adebayo Osinowo was elected senator in 2019 but died in June 2020. Abiru won the ensuing bye-election and took office in December 2020.
- ^ Akwashiki was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the SDP in July 2022.
- ^ The APC's David Umaru was elected senator in 2019 but the Supreme Court awarded the APC primary win to Musa making him senator. He took office in July 2019.
- ^ Balogun was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in May 2022.
- ^ The APC's Ignatius Datong Longjan was elected senator in 2019 but died in February 2020. Daduut won the ensuing bye-election and took office in December 2020.
- ^ The APC's Abubakar Shehu Tambuwal was elected senator in 2019 but a Court of Appeal awarded the win to Abdullahi Danbaba. He took office in November 2019 as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in April 2022.
- ^ Bwacha was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in February 2022.
- ^ a b c Prior to inauguration, the APC's Zamfara votes were voided due to improper holding of party primaries. Thus the PDP runners-up took office. All three (Anka, Hassan Muhammed Gusau, Yaú) switched to the APC in June 2021. In February 2022, Muhammed Gusau resigned to become Zamfara Deputy Governor.