Kwankwaso, Tambuwal and other prominent northern Governors named after their hometowns
Nigeria has had a number of civilian and military governors since it took independence in 1960. While many Nigerians know these governors and their states, only a few are aware that their surnames are derived from their hometowns.
One interesting thing about these ex-governors is that most of them hailed from Northern Nigeria. In this piece, we will explore at least 12 among them and the number of years they served as the governors of their respective states.
1. Major General Hassan Usman Katsina
He was born on March 31, 1933, and passed on on July 24, 1995. He was a military general and served as the governor of northern Nigeria from 1966 to 1975. He was a native of Katsina in Katsina State, Nigeria. While he was alive, he was given the title Chiroman Katsina.
2. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal
The former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal was born on January 10, 1966. He served from 2015 to 2023. He’s a prominent Nigerian politician and a member of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. The former Speaker is a native of Tambuwal town in Sokoto.
3. Alhaji Abubakar Rimi
He served as the governor of Kano State from 1979 to 1983 during the Second Republic. He was a presidential aspirant under the People’s Democratic Party in 1999. Alhaji Abubakar Rimi was a native of Rimi town in Sumaila Local Government Area, Kano State.
4. Alhaji Aliyu Sabo Bakin Zuwo
He was elected the governor of Kano State under the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) He served from October to December 1983. Alhaji Aliyu Sabo Bakin Zuwo was a prominent northern politician and he was a native of Zuwo town in Kano State. He died on February 15, 1989.
5. Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi
Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi served as the governor of Kaduna State from 1999 to 2007. The former chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee is a native of Makarfi town in Kaduna State. The Senator is a force to reckon with in Kaduna politics.
6. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
The national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) served as the governor of Kano State from 1999 to 2003 and from 2011 to 2015. He’s one of the most influential politicians in northern Nigeria. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is a native of Kwankwaso town in Kano State.
7. Aminu Bello Masari
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives served as the governor of Katsina from 2015 to 2023. He’s a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a key figure in Nigerian politics. The former governor is a native of Masari town in Katsina State.
8. Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
He’s the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje served as the governor of Kano State from 2015 to 2023. The ex-governor who bagged his doctorate from the University of Ibadan is a native of Ganduje town in Kano State.
9. Danbaba Danfulani Suntai
He served as the governor of Taraba State from 2007 to 2012. Suntai who was born on June 30, 1961, was a member of the People’s Democratic Party before his passing on June 28, 2017. He studied Pharmacy at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and was a native Suntai in Taraba State.
10. Alhaji Mamuda Aliyu Shinkafi
Alhaji Mamuda Aliyu Shinkafi served as the governor of Zamfara State from 2007 to 2011. He studied Business Administration at the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The former governor is a native of a known town called Shinkafi in Zamfara State, Nigeria.
11. Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa
He studied Business Administration at Uthman Dan Fodiyo University formerly the University of Sokoto. Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa served as the governor of Sokoto State from 1999 to 2007. Born on December 4, 1954, Bafarawa is a native of Bafarawa town, Sokoto State, Nigeria.
12. Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko
He served as the governor of Sokoto State Governor from 2007 to 2015. Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko worked as a teacher from 1973 to 1977 before being admitted to the University of Pittsburgh in the United States. The ex-governor is a native of Wamakko town in Sokoto State, Nigeria.
The truth remains that the list of former Nigerian governors whose surnames are derived from the names of their hometowns is inexhaustible. It should be noted that not all Nigerian politicians’ surnames originated from their hometowns.
