Senator Umar Usman Dukku was a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999 to 2003, where he represented the Gombe North Senatorial District. In this interview with Nigerian Tracker at his residence in Bauchi, the Senator speaks about his experience in the Senate, his relationship with the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, and the creation of Gombe State 30 years ago on 1st October 1996, among other issues.

By Abbas Yushau Yusuf, Umar Farouk Maigari, and Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Excerpts

NT: Assalamualaikum! You’re welcome to an interview by one of the best online newspapers in Nigeria, Nigerian Tracker. My name is Abbas Yushau Yusuf, the Editor, and here’s my colleague, Farouk Maigari, a member of the editorial board. Baba, you served in the Senate between 1999 and 2003. What was your journey? How did you enter the Senate?

Senator Umar Usman Dukku: I entered the Senate through election. I was the only PDP Senator from my area. Others were in ANPP, including the governor. I was the only Senator from PDP, and the only member of PDP.

NT: Before the transition in 1999, what motivated you to contest the election under the platform of PDP?

Senator Dukku: What motivated me was the desire to serve my people. I wanted to work for them.

NT: At that time, most of the parties that dominated states like Gombe, Borno, and Bauchi were APP. How did you manage to become the lone PDP Senator from Gombe State?

Senator Dukku: It was not by my decision but by God’s will. I was confident that if God permitted, I would win. I had confidence in myself and in my people who supported me.

NT: When you were sworn in on June 4, 1999, after the inauguration of the President on May 29, how did you face the work of the Senate?

Senator Dukku: Unless you know what the Senate is, what you are, and what you want to do for your people, you cannot achieve anything. Experience in government or service is very important. Without it, you will face difficulties.

NT: When you entered the Senate, the first Senate President was Senator Evans Ewerem. How did you manage legislative work with him?

Senator Dukku: He was very humble and honourable. We worked well with him.

NT: As first timers, what challenges did you face since Nigeria returned to democracy after almost 15 years of military rule?

Senator Dukku: People were used to military rule. Even elected governors thought they should act like military officers. But gradually, we in the National Assembly showed people that democracy was different, and we achieved that.

NT: Did you chair any committee in the Senate?

Senator Dukku: Yes, I chaired the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

NT: What was the work of the committee?

Senator Dukku: We dealt with members of the National Assembly, ensuring honesty and accountability.

NT: You were in opposition in your state but in the ruling party at the federal level. How did you relate with your governor?

Senator Dukku: My governor was the late Abubakar Habu Hashidu. We worked together in peace and harmony. He often visited me in Abuja, and I supported him by ensuring federal funds were released for state projects, such as the Gombe Airport.

NT: Let’s talk about the creation of Gombe State. Gombe State was created by General Sani Abacha on 1st October 1996. Was there agitation for the creation of the state before Abacha became Head of State?

Senator Dukku: Yes, there were agitations since the 1960s. The first leader was a former Comptroller General of NTA Kaduna. Later, Usman Farouk and others took over. Committees were formed under leaders like Yerima Abdullahi and the Emir of Gombe.

NT: Did you expect Abacha to create Gombe State?

Senator Dukku: No, I was surprised. I was on my farm in Bauchi when someone told me they heard it on the radio. That was how I first heard the news.

NT: You mentioned being close to Abacha. How was your relationship with him?

Senator Dukku: Very close. I knew him since 1961. He was sincere, honest, and an excellent person.

NT: So he confirmed to you that you were going to have Gombe State?

Senator Dukku: The confirmation was from his mouth when he announced it.

NT: But you had agitated for the creation of Gombe State for a long time. Murtala created eight states, Babangida created more, but Gombe was not included. How did you succeed under Abacha?

Senator Dukku: We campaigned. We had committees, one under the chairmanship of the Emir of Gombe, and another under different leaders.

NT: Before Abacha announced it, did you have any hint?

Senator Dukku: No, I didn’t.

NT: You were just taken by surprise like everyone else?

Senator Dukku: Yes. Even I was in my farm when the announcement was made. Someone ran to me and said we had been given Gombe State. I asked where he heard it, and he said on the radio. That was how I heard it.

NT: You made a serious and interesting revelation about your relationship with General Sani Abacha. How would you describe him?

Senator Dukku: He was very good, an excellent person. A very sincere and honest soul.

NT: When Abacha used to come to Gombe for weekends, how long would he stay?

Senator Dukku: He used to spend one month during his annual leave before returning to Lagos.

NT: That was when you knew him?

Senator Dukku: Yes, since he was a Major.

NT: Thank you very much. Do you have anything to add?

—

This version preserves the interview style but corrects grammar and flow.

Would you like me to also prepare a [condensed feature articleHere’s the full interview edited for grammar only, while keeping the original meaning intact. I’ve also created a headline that reflects the creation of Gombe State:

—

Headline
Senator Umar Usman Dukku on the Struggle and Creation of Gombe State

—

Edited Interview

Senator Umar Usman Dukku was a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999 to 2003, where he represented the Gombe North Senatorial District. In this interview with Nigerian Tracker at his residence in Bauchi, the Senator speaks about his experience in the Senate, his relationship with the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, and the creation of Gombe State 30 years ago on 1st October 1996, among other issues.

By Abbas Yushau Yusuf, Umar Farouk Maigari, and Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Excerpts

NT: Assalamualaikum! You’re welcome to an interview by one of the best online newspapers in Nigeria, Nigerian Tracker. My name is Abbas Yushau Yusuf, the Editor, and here’s my colleague, Farouk Maigari, a member of the editorial board. Baba, you served in the Senate between 1999 and 2003. What was your journey? How did you enter the Senate?

Senator Umar Usman Dukku: I entered the Senate through election. I was the only PDP Senator from my area. Others were in ANPP, including the governor. I was the only Senator from PDP, and the only member of PDP.

NT: Before the transition in 1999, what motivated you to contest the election under the platform of PDP?

Senator Dukku: What motivated me was the desire to serve my people. I wanted to work for them.

NT: At that time, most of the parties that dominated states like Gombe, Borno, and Bauchi were APP. How did you manage to become the lone PDP Senator from Gombe State?

Senator Dukku: It was not by my decision but by God’s will. I was confident that if God permitted, I would win. I had confidence in myself and in my people who supported me.

NT: When you were sworn in on June 4, 1999, after the inauguration of the President on May 29, how did you face the work of the Senate?

Senator Dukku: Unless you know what the Senate is, what you are, and what you want to do for your people, you cannot achieve anything. Experience in government or service is very important. Without it, you will face difficulties.

NT: When you entered the Senate, the first Senate President was Senator Evans Ewerem. How did you manage legislative work with him?

Senator Dukku: He was very humble and honourable. We worked well with him.

NT: As first timers, what challenges did you face since Nigeria returned to democracy after almost 15 years of military rule?

Senator Dukku: People were used to military rule. Even elected governors thought they should act like military officers. But gradually, we in the National Assembly showed people that democracy was different, and we achieved that.

NT: Did you chair any committee in the Senate?

Senator Dukku: Yes, I chaired the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

NT: What was the work of the committee?

Senator Dukku: We dealt with members of the National Assembly, ensuring honesty and accountability.

NT: You were in opposition in your state but in the ruling party at the federal level. How did you relate with your governor?

Senator Dukku: My governor was the late Abubakar Habu Hashidu. We worked together in peace and harmony. He often visited me in Abuja, and I supported him by ensuring federal funds were released for state projects, such as the Gombe Airport.

NT: Let’s talk about the creation of Gombe State. Gombe State was created by General Sani Abacha on 1st October 1996. Was there agitation for the creation of the state before Abacha became Head of State?

Senator Dukku: Yes, there were agitations since the 1960s. The first leader was a former Comptroller General of NTA Kaduna. Later, Usman Farouk and others took over. Committees were formed under leaders like Yerima Abdullahi and the Emir of Gombe.

NT: Did you expect Abacha to create Gombe State?

Senator Dukku: No, I was surprised. I was on my farm in Bauchi when someone told me they heard it on the radio. That was how I first heard the news.

NT: You mentioned being close to Abacha. How was your relationship with him?

Senator Dukku: Very close. I knew him since 1961. He was sincere, honest, and an excellent person.

NT: So he confirmed to you that you were going to have Gombe State?

Senator Dukku: The confirmation was from his mouth when he announced it.

NT: But you had agitated for the creation of Gombe State for a long time. Murtala created eight states, Babangida created more, but Gombe was not included. How did you succeed under Abacha?

Senator Dukku: We campaigned. We had committees, one under the chairmanship of the Emir of Gombe, and another under different leaders.

NT: Before Abacha announced it, did you have any hint?

Senator Dukku: No, I didn’t.

NT: You were just taken by surprise like everyone else?

Senator Dukku: Yes. Even I was in my farm when the announcement was made. Someone ran to me and said we had been given Gombe State. I asked where he heard it, and he said on the radio. That was how I heard it.

NT: You made a serious and interesting revelation about your relationship with General Sani Abacha. How would you describe him?

Senator Dukku: He was very good, an excellent person. A very sincere and honest soul.

NT: When Abacha used to come to Gombe for weekends, how long would he stay?

Senator Dukku: He used to spend one month during his annual leave before returning to Lagos.

NT: That was when you knew him?

Senator Dukku: Yes, since he was a Major.

NT: Thank you very much. Do you have anything to add?

—

This version preserves the interview style but corrects grammar and flow.

Would you like me to also prepare a condensed feature article from this interview for easier publication in newspapers or magazines?Here’s the full interview edited for grammar only, while keeping the original meaning intact. I’ve also created a headline that reflects the creation of Gombe State:

—

Headline
Senator Umar Usman Dukku on the Struggle and Creation of Gombe State

—

Edited Interview

Senator Umar Usman Dukku was a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999 to 2003, where he represented the Gombe North Senatorial District. In this interview with Nigerian Tracker at his residence in Bauchi, the Senator speaks about his experience in the Senate, his relationship with the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, and the creation of Gombe State 30 years ago on 1st October 1996, among other issues.

By Abbas Yushau Yusuf, Umar Farouk Maigari, and Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Excerpts

NT: Assalamualaikum! You’re welcome to an interview by one of the best online newspapers in Nigeria, Nigerian Tracker. My name is Abbas Yushau Yusuf, the Editor, and here’s my colleague, Farouk Maigari, a member of the editorial board. Baba, you served in the Senate between 1999 and 2003. What was your journey? How did you enter the Senate?

Senator Umar Usman Dukku: I entered the Senate through election. I was the only PDP Senator from my area. Others were in ANPP, including the governor. I was the only Senator from PDP, and the only member of PDP.

NT: Before the transition in 1999, what motivated you to contest the election under the platform of PDP?

Senator Dukku: What motivated me was the desire to serve my people. I wanted to work for them.

NT: At that time, most of the parties that dominated states like Gombe, Borno, and Bauchi were APP. How did you manage to become the lone PDP Senator from Gombe State?

Senator Dukku: It was not by my decision but by God’s will. I was confident that if God permitted, I would win. I had confidence in myself and in my people who supported me.

NT: When you were sworn in on June 4, 1999, after the inauguration of the President on May 29, how did you face the work of the Senate?

Senator Dukku: Unless you know what the Senate is, what you are, and what you want to do for your people, you cannot achieve anything. Experience in government or service is very important. Without it, you will face difficulties.

NT: When you entered the Senate, the first Senate President was Senator Evans Ewerem. How did you manage legislative work with him?

Senator Dukku: He was very humble and honourable. We worked well with him.

NT: As first timers, what challenges did you face since Nigeria returned to democracy after almost 15 years of military rule?

Senator Dukku: People were used to military rule. Even elected governors thought they should act like military officers. But gradually, we in the National Assembly showed people that democracy was different, and we achieved that.

NT: Did you chair any committee in the Senate?

Senator Dukku: Yes, I chaired the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

NT: What was the work of the committee?

Senator Dukku: We dealt with members of the National Assembly, ensuring honesty and accountability.

NT: You were in opposition in your state but in the ruling party at the federal level. How did you relate with your governor?

Senator Dukku: My governor was the late Abubakar Habu Hashidu. We worked together in peace and harmony. He often visited me in Abuja, and I supported him by ensuring federal funds were released for state projects, such as the Gombe Airport.

NT: Let’s talk about the creation of Gombe State. Gombe State was created by General Sani Abacha on 1st October 1996. Was there agitation for the creation of the state before Abacha became Head of State?

Senator Dukku: Yes, there were agitations since the 1960s. The first leader was a former Comptroller General of NTA Kaduna. Later, Usman Farouk and others took over. Committees were formed under leaders like Yerima Abdullahi and the Emir of Gombe.

NT: Did you expect Abacha to create Gombe State?

Senator Dukku: No, I was surprised. I was on my farm in Bauchi when someone told me they heard it on the radio. That was how I first heard the news.

NT: You mentioned being close to Abacha. How was your relationship with him?

Senator Dukku: Very close. I knew him since 1961. He was sincere, honest, and an excellent person.

NT: So he confirmed to you that you were going to have Gombe State?

Senator Dukku: The confirmation was from his mouth when he announced it.

NT: But you had agitated for the creation of Gombe State for a long time. Murtala created eight states, Babangida created more, but Gombe was not included. How did you succeed under Abacha?

Senator Dukku: We campaigned. We had committees, one under the chairmanship of the Emir of Gombe, and another under different leaders.

NT: Before Abacha announced it, did you have any hint?

Senator Dukku: No, I didn’t.

NT: You were just taken by surprise like everyone else?

Senator Dukku: Yes. Even I was in my farm when the announcement was made. Someone ran to me and said we had been given Gombe State. I asked where he heard it, and he said on the radio. That was how I heard it.

NT: You made a serious and interesting revelation about your relationship with General Sani Abacha. How would you describe him?

Senator Dukku: He was very good, an excellent person. A very sincere and honest soul.

NT: When Abacha used to come to Gombe for weekends, how long would he stay?

Senator Dukku: He used to spend one month during his annual leave before returning to Lagos.

NT: That was when you knew him?

Senator Dukku: Yes, since he was a Major.

NT: Thank you very much.

 

Former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha has dismissed claims that Abacha died on top of a woman, saying he has all CCTV footages of Abacha’s final moments in his custody.

Al-Mustapha was reacting to claims made by former Department of State Services operative, Dennis Amachree in his book that Abacha died on top of a woman.

Speaking with journalists in Kaduna, Al-Mustapha described Amachree’s account as false, misleading and fabrications, alleging the author was influenced by others to write lies.

“The boy was asked to write the lies by others. I have all the CCTV footages of what happened in my custody, so what he said are not true,” Al-Mustapha said.

He insisted the publication does not reflect what transpired and urged public to disregard claims, saying it is wrong to make false statements against someone who is no longer alive to defend himself.

“Just ignore his lies. It’s bad to say such things on someone that is dead,” he said.

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced job vacancies for Nigerians seeking employment in various entry-level positions, including accountants, engineers, clinical officers, lawyers and other roles.

In a memo signed by the commission, INEC said the application period would run from Monday, July 20, to Monday, July 27, 2026.

“The recruitment exercise is aimed of strengthening the Commission’s institutional capacity in electoral administration, voter registration, data management, election logistics, and other critical electoral operations in furtherance of its constitutional mandate,” the memo reads.

The commission listed accountant, clinical officer, lawyer, ICT officer, engineer, quantity surveyor, registration area officer (administrative officer) and registration area officer (executive officer) among the available vacancies.

It noted that applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth or descent and must present a valid Certificate of State of Origin duly signed by the chairman or secretary of their local government.

It added that certificates endorsed by liaison officers would not be accepted.

The commission also said applicants must be computer literate and not be above 35 years of age at the time of application.

According to INEC, applicants must possess good character, must not have been convicted of any criminal offence, and must be willing to serve in any part of the federation where they are assigned.

It added that applicants must demonstrate integrity, discipline and commitment to public service.

INEC said applicants should submit their applications online through the INEC Recruitment Portal by clicking on the “Vacancies” tab on the homepage, completing the appropriate application form, uploading all required credentials and submitting the application online.

The commission further added that only shortlisted candidates would be invited to the next stage of the recruitment exercise.