Chidimma Uchegbu -Abuja
The Jarma Solidarity Forum, a leading political advocacy group, has called on the immediate past Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, to make himself available for the governorship race in 2027, describing him as a “tested technocrat, a consummate politician, and a quintessential public servant”.
In a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja, the Coordinator of the Forum, Joe Mutah, noted that at 34 years since its creation, Yobe State has witnessed phenomenal transformation under successive leaders including late Governor Mamman Ali, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, and the incumbent, Governor Mai Mala Buni. According to the Forum, the state now requires “visionary leadership to consolidate these gains” — a role they believe Engr. Aliyu is uniquely qualified to play.
“Yobe deserves a leader who combines experience, competence, and compassion. Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu has proven himself in every position he has held, and we strongly believe he is ready, able, and capable to take Yobe to the next level,” the statement read.
During his tenure as Minister of Power, Engr. Aliyu championed reforms that accelerated generation capacity, modernized transmission infrastructure, promoted renewable energy, and advanced data-driven power planning — achievements that, according to the Forum, laid a solid foundation for Nigeria’s long-term power resilience.
Mutah said Engr. Aliyu also acquitted himself creditably as Minister of State for Works and Housing, where he served with distinction.
Locally, he said, his imprint is visible across Yobe through major federal projects he facilitated, including the Potiskum Power Substation upgrade — one of the most significant federal government investments in the state’s power sector.
“The Potiskum substation is a landmark achievement that has expanded light and opportunity to countless homes and businesses. It is a testament to Engr. Aliyu’s commitment to his people,” the group declared.
Beyond the power sector, Engr. Aliyu has delivered projects that touched lives directly — from the renovation and expansion of Fika Government School, Potiskum, to asphalting of strategic roads like Abasha Road in Damaturu, bridges in Nguru and Tandari, facilities at Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, and over 100 solar-powered boreholes across the state. He also spearheaded the provision of solar streetlights in communities such as Mofura, Bidiram, Amshi, Dagona, Daya, Alajere, Biriri, and Abbari.
The Forum recalled his ten-year tenure as Deputy Governor of Yobe State, where he became the longest-serving deputy governor in Nigeria, and in that role also held oversight as commissioner for health, commerce, and integrated rural development.
“Engr. Aliyu is no stranger to governance. He is a son of the soil with deep roots and strong credentials. His humility, accessibility, and passion for service have endeared him to the people of Yobe,” the statement emphasized.
Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil and Water Resources Engineering from the University of Maiduguri. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and a member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
The Forum described him as “an asset to Yobe State whose wealth of experience must not be left untapped in 2027”.
