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From the struggle for Gombe State to life in the Senate: Senator Umar Usman Dukku reflects on politics, democracy, and his relationship with the late General Sani Abacha.

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2 months ago

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Senator Umar Usman Dukku

 

Senator Umar Usman Dukku was a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999 to 2003 where he represented Gombe North senatorial district in this interview with NIGERIAN TRACKER at his residence in Bauchi the senator says alot about his experience in the Senate ,his relationship with Late Head of state General Sani Abacha,the creation of Gombe state 30 years ago on 1st October 1996 among others

Abbas Yushau Yusuf ,Umar Farook Maigari and Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Excerpts

 

NT: Assalamualaikum ! You’re welcome to an interview by one of the best online newspapers in Nigeria, Nigeria Tracker. My name is Abbas Yushau Yusuf, the Editor, and here’s my colleague, Farouq Maimagari, who is one of the members of the editorial board of the paper. Baba you have served in the Senate between 1999-2003. 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 who entered are in ANPP, the governor too was in ANPP. 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 1999 election under the platform of PDP?

Senator Dukku : Well, this is a very good question. What motivated me was to serve people. I want to serve my people. I want to work for my people. I don’t want to just go away.

NT: By then, most of the parties that dominated states like Gombe, Borno, Bauchi are the APP, how did you bulldoze your way into becoming a lone PDP Senator from Gombe State?

Senator Dukku: Well, it is something very simple. It was not by my own decision but God’s decision that I will become a Senator and that I will win the election no matter who are contesting, or who are against me. I was sure that if God permit I will win. I have confidence in myself and then confidence in my people who are following me.

NT: By then when you were sworn in, I think in June 4 , 1999, after the inauguration of Mr. President on May 29, so the Senate and the House were inaugurated and we have the first Senate president, how did you face the work of the Senate?

Senator Dukku: This is a very important question. Unless you don’t know what a Senate is, and unless you don’t know what you are, unless you don’t know what you want to do for your people, then there will be nothing you can do. But if you know what you are, you know what you want to do for your people, you know how to do it, and you have experienced in service (that will count, it will suddenly count). If you never work in a government or you have no experience in any federal government organization, or any company, or anywhere, then you will find yourself in a difficult situation.

NT: When you enter the Senate and started the legislative business, you have your first Senate president as Senator Evans Ewarey. By then Nigerians were keen to know how you were able to manage the senate with him.

Senator Dukku: Yes, we work with him, he’s a very humble person, very honourable,

NT: As first timers, what are some of the challenges that you faced since Nigeria return to democracy after almost 15 years of military rule?

Senator Dukku: Well, you will find there’s a missing like democracy, everything was military, military, and even the governors elected, everybody thinks they will work like a military also. But gradually, we were able to bulldoze ourselves, the national assembly in particular, in the senate we were able to bulldoze ourselves and then show people that there’s another system which is called democracy, then we achieve that.

NT: Did you chair any committee when you were in the senate?

Senator Dukku: In the senate, yes I chaired one committee but I have forgotten the committee ethics and privileges committee

 

 

NT: What was the work of the committee?

Senator Dukku : A lot of it. Most especially how to deal with members of the national assembly at that time, how to work with them, how to see that everybody there is innocent, honest, and working for his people…

NT: So, by then you were opposition in your state, but in the ruling party of the federal government, how were you able to relate with your governor?

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Senator Dukku : My governor was late Abubakar Habu Hashidu we worked with him with peace and harmony. He used to come from Gombe to my house in Abuja if he has a program, and I used to go to him if there’s a program, and then if there’s a problem in finance, about a program that need to be carried out, I used to help him making some money available in the federal government budget like. I make sure that the money is released to him direct. Like Airport in Gombe, after federal government approved to build an airport, send him the money to go and carry out the job because it was a state affair at that time.

NT: So how will you compare the operation of your own senate in 1999-2003 and the current senate?

Senator Dukku : To be honest with you, to be sincere, I don’t know. I don’t involve myself in local politics or any politics. The only thing I know is

NT: So, let’s come back to the rise and creation of Gombe State. Gombe State was created by General Sani Abacha (the Interviewee interjected by saying sure)on 1 October 1996. Even before Abacha created the state, is there agitation for the creation of that state even before Abacha became the head of the state?

Senator Dukku: There were agitations before the creation of northeast, northwest regions.

NT: There were agitations for the creation of Gombe?

Dukku: There were agitations for the creation of Gombe.

NT: Which means it started since 60’s.

Senator Dukku: Yes, and then the first person to start it was the former comptroller general of NTA Kaduna. He was our leader at that time. And then afterwards, Usman Farooq took over. Former governor of Northwestern state after finishing his tenure. He took over the leadership of the team and after that, when we decide to appoint committees, we appointed Yerima Abdullahi, Sarkin Yakin of Gombe to be our Chairman.

NT: Can you remember exactly the year you started to bring the idea of Gombe State Creation?

Dukku : I can’t.

NT: Was it during Gowon or Obasanjo?

Senator Dukku: Well, Gowon first of all inaugurated the headquarters of northeast in Bauchi, old airport. After sometimes, he changed the idea. He took the northeast headquarters to Maiduguri. Then this make people to think about it to agitate for state creation of Bauchi. And we said okay if it’s the creation then it should be in Gombe. After going up and down, everything was settled. Later, we started looking for a state again. Because we were seeing other places were being given states, and we too deserve to have a state.

NT: So it means you started agitating since Murtala, Obasanjo…

Senator Dukku: We started agitating for long.

NT: Ok. So , Babangida created states between 1987 and 1991, have you tabled the idea of creation of Gombe State?

Senator Dukku: We did.

NT: But you were not given.

Senator Dukku : We were not given!

NT: How were you able to win during Abacha?

The Interviewe: Me personally, I know Abacha since 1961

NT: You know Abacha?

Senator Dukku: Yes, I know Abacha. He was in Tiv area, fighting with Tiv people, and others. We have been together with Abacha. Infact we were with him up till the time he became head of state. He would come to Bauchi, and I will go to the border as the permanent secretary local government with others to receive him.

NT: So you were very close to Abacha.

Senator Dukku: Very close, to be honest.

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

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

NT: But what I am trying to take you back is you agitated for the creation of Gombe State for long time. Murtala created 8 states, then when Babangida came he created two, then nine but Gombe was not… So I said how were you able to succeed during Abacha?

Senator Dukku: We campaigned. We have committees, one under the chairmanship of the Emir of Gombe, the other one under the chairmanship of Yerima Abdullahi

NT: So, before Abacha announced it, did you have any leakage that he was going to…

Dukku: No, I didn’t.

NT: You were just taken by surprise like everyone

Senator Dukku: Yes. Even I was in my farm here in Bauchi, when they were announcing the state creation. And then somebody ran to me and said we have been given Gombe State (in Hausa). I asked him where he heard it from, and he said on Radio. The I said that’s good.

NT: This was how you heard it?

Dukku: That was how I heard it. Then I decided to come back to my house here, changed from my farm dress and then go to Gombe to meet my people.

NT: You made a serious and interesting revelation about your relationship with general Sani Abacha. How were you able to relate with him? His character….

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

NT: So, when he(Abacha) used to come to Gombe for weekend, how many days do you remember he used to spend?

Senator Dukku: He used to spend one month. He would come for his annual leave. And then go to Lagos. Since he was a Major.

NT: That was when you know him?

Senator : Yes, since he was a Major.

NT:, thank you very much

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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President Tinubu Adds Days to Working Vacation, Returns at Weekend

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16 hours ago

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September 21, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return to Nigeria this weekend after extending his working vacation in Europe by a few days, the State House announced Monday evening.

The President departed Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin the working vacation, which was initially expected to last three weeks. According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the President has since relocated to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Mr. Vincent Bollore, whose media group includes Canal+, Multichoice, and Universal Music Group.

Despite his absence, the statement emphasized that President Tinubu has remained actively engaged with domestic affairs, particularly directing an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

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The President has delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at official functions. However, Vice President Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly. In his absence, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, will continue to represent the President at official engagements.

On the political front, the statement noted that Senator Abubakar Yari, Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), has been leading consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country alongside other notable party leaders.

The extension comes as the President’s initial three-week vacation timeline elapsed, with the State House confirming he will now return to the country at the weekend.

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Court Adjourns El-Rufai’s N1 billion Suit Against ICPC, AGF, Police

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16 hours ago

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September 21, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Monday adjourned a N1 billion rights suit filed by former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and others until October 27 for a definite hearing.

Others named in the suit are the Inspector-General (IG) of police and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as the second and third respondents, respectively.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the suit to allow counsel to the former governor, Akinyemi Aremu, to respond to the counter affidavit filed by the AGF opposing the claims.

When the case was called, Mr Aremu informed the court that the matter was scheduled for hearing.

Counsel for the AGF, Maimuna Lami-Shiru, however, told the court that the AGF had filed a counter affidavit.

She prayed the court for leave to move their motion seeking an extension of time to deem their counter affidavit as being properly filed and served.

El-Rufai’s lawyer, Mr Aremu; Ezekiel Rimamsomte, who appeared for the IG, and the ICPC counsel did not oppose the application, and the judge granted it as prayed.

Mrs Abdulmalik then adjourned the case until October 27 for a definite hearing.

Earlier in the suit, the ex-governor sued the ICPC, the chief magistrate at the Magistrate’s Court of the FCT, Abuja, the IG, and the AGF as first to fourth respondents, respectively.

He, however, dropped the name of the magistrate from the case following his inability to specify the name of the magistrate who was sued as the second respondent, after the judge made the observation.

Mr El-Rufai is, therefore, demanding N1 billion in damages against ICPC, the IG and the AGF.

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In an originating motion on notice marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, dated and filed February 20 by Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, the former governor sought seven reliefs.

He prayed the court to declare that the invasion and search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 at about 2:00 p.m. by the ICPC and IG amounts to a gross violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights.

He said it violated the dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy under Sections 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the Constitution.

He urged the court to declare that “any evidence obtained pursuant to the aforesaid invalid warrant and unlawful search is inadmissible in any proceedings against the applicant, as it was procured in breach of constitutional safeguards.”

Mr El-Rufai, therefore, sought an order of injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further relying on, using, or tendering any evidence or items seized during the unlawful search in any investigation, prosecution, or proceedings involving him.

He sought an order directing the first and third respondents (ICPC and IG) to forthwith return all items seized from the applicant’s premises during the unlawful search, together with a detailed inventory thereof.

He also sought an order awarding N1,000,000,000.00 (one billion naira) as general, exemplary, and aggravated damages, among others.

In its counter affidavit, the ICPC said it received a petition against Mr El-Rufai and, acting on it, commenced an investigation that led to the search at his residence.

It argued that its operatives acted under a valid search warrant issued on February 18 and executed on February 19 between 1:37 p.m. and 3:56 p.m. at 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

The commission said its officials were accompanied by Nigeria Police Force personnel and that the exercise was witnessed by Mr El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai.

The ICPC, which urged the court to dismiss the suit, listed the items allegedly recovered from the residence.

The police, also in its counter affidavit deposed to by Ewa Anthony, argued that it had the statutory power to detect, arrest, investigate and prosecute offenders.

It argued that the search at Mr El-Rufai’s residence was carried out pursuant to a search warrant issued by a competent court of law.

The anti-graft agency disagreed with the ex-governor, insisting the search warrant was a genuine court order.

It said its officers who carried out the operation complied with all applicable legal procedures in executing the search warrant.

According to the police, the applicant is trying to use the honourable court to shield him from the security investigation and prosecution in court.

It, therefore, prayed the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety.

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Tinubu Becomes First Post-1999 Nigerian President to Miss Three Consecutive UNGAs

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17 hours ago

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September 21, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu has again delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, marking the third consecutive year he has personally skipped the global summit since taking office in 2023.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said on Monday that Tinubu is “currently on annual leave,” describing the delegation to Shettima as “neither unusual nor a diminution of the country’s diplomatic standing”. Idris insisted Shettima “carries the full mandate of the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria” and will deliver the national statement.

However, the explanation has done little to quell public scrutiny. Tinubu last personally attended UNGA in September 2023 for the 78th session, shortly after his inauguration. He has since been absent from the 79th session in 2024, the 80th in 2025, and now the 81st in 2026—a pattern unmatched by any Nigerian president since the return of democracy in 1999.

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, through his media aide Phrank Shaibu, demanded a “full explanation,” arguing that three consecutive absences “could no longer be dismissed as coincidence or routine delegation” but constituted “a pattern of presidential evasion”. Atiku questioned whether Tinubu’s “documented history with United States law-enforcement agencies has become a burden on Nigeria’s foreign relations”.

At the centre of the opposition’s claim is a long-standing U.S. forfeiture case in which $460,000 was held in an account linked to Tinubu, after American authorities alleged the funds represented proceeds of narcotics trafficking or were involved in prohibited financial transactions. Atiku also questioned why the administration spent up to $9 million on American lobbyists to improve Nigeria’s standing in Washington while the President repeatedly stays away from New York.

The Presidency has not directly addressed the drug-case allegation. A ruling party chieftain, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, dismissed the claims as “political propaganda,” noting that no U.S. court has reopened a criminal case or pronounced Tinubu guilty of drug trafficking.

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, had earlier announced that Tinubu would attend and that a seat had been secured for him near U.S. President Donald Trump. That seat remained empty.

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