By Mayowa Oluwabiyi
Senator Abdul Aziz Yari Abubakar remains an enigma to both his detractors and admirers. The distinguished senator represents Zamfara West Senatorial Zone and currently leads the Senate Committee of Water Resources & Sanitation. He is a man of few words who prefers his work, rather than his voice to speak for him, and in a country where aggression and bragging are seen as virtuesr Yari, has defied the odds, by maintaining his calm nature and upholding his respectful upbringing, by only speaking when it becomes absolutely necessary.
Unknown to his detractors, behind Senator Yari’s veneer of gentility and quietness, lies an astute politician who is result oriented, focused, and determined to achieve positive outcomes. In Yari’s philosophy, there is no need to shout and raise your blood pressure, when you could achieve the same results by gentle persuasion. This philosophy has served Yari well over the years, both as a two-term governor of Zamfara State, and as former chairman of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum NGF, a powerful coalition of 36 independent leaders, for many years.
In those two offices, Yari distinguished himself, and especially as first amongst equals, as chairman of the NGF. He deployed his organizational abilities to bring 36 independent governors to speak with one voice, so much so that there was not a single squabble between the governors throughout his tenure. Currently, as the chairman senate committee on water resources and Sanitation, Yari is applying the same strategy in ensuring that water as an essential commodity for livelihood, is available to every Nigerian household. In electing him chairman of that committee, colleague senators, took cognizance of his efforts as governor in Zamfara State, in providing water, through solar powered boreholes to households in the entire state. A feat which earned Senator Abdul Aziz Yari the unequivocal praises of then Acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in 2018, while commissioning projects in the state. Prof. Osinbajo, in his excitement, had called on other governors to come to Zamfara and learn leadership from then Governor Yari Abubakar.
While some mischief makers, take delight in referencing the 2019 political fiasco in Zamfara State, where the Supreme Court, unilaterally cancelled the APC 100% victory at the polls, and subsequently awarded victory to the opposition. It is worthy of note today, that all these issues have been rectified, and rather than being diminished, Senator Abdul Aziz Yari came out stronger from the crisis, held APC Zamfara State together for the four years and used the situation as a stepping stone, rather than a stumbling block. This is a testament to his leadership capacity and resilience even in the face of adversity. His traducers should come and learn leadership 101 at his feet rather than chasing shadows and spewing humongous allegations.
As the representative of Zamfara West senatorial district, in the national assembly, Senator Abdul Aziz Yari, along with the performance of his legislative duties, has been engaged in welfare outreach to his people in the areas of agricultural support, health interventions, and educational empowerment. In agricultural support, he has facilitated significant support for small holder farmers, when he secured a #1.3billion worth of fertilizer for the 2025 wet farming season. This substantially lowered the cost of fertilizer from the prevailing market prices, he equally transported the product free to the various local government headquarters, for easy access to the end users.
In education, Senator Abdul Aziz Yari initiated a university scholarship program in 2024, with 60 outstanding senior secondary school students, whose university education he is to personally fund, from 100 level to the conclusion of their first degrees. In health, Senator Abdul Aziz Yari has targeted vulnerable groups in his constituency, through targeted programs. For instance, in 2023, he inaugurated free eye treatment and surgical services for 1000 patients across communities in his constituency. The initiative involved the provision of medical examinations, glasses, surgeries, and drugs, for persons who ordinarily could not afford such services, thereby improving their quality of life.
As a senator, Yari does not grandstand, by announcing every achievement and making it a media circus. He mobilizes quietly, his years as chairman of the NGF, have exposed him to the various challenges facing different parts of the country, and so, he operates more as a father, leading with understanding, and being guided by the principle that there’s always a give and take in politics, as opposed to a winner takes all.
Senator Abdul Aziz Yari Abubakar, could be likened to a modern-day bridge builder, unifying the various competing units in our system. He may not be flamboyant, noisy, or arrogant, but when it comes to knowing what is required to get a job done, and actually getting the job done, Senator Yari Abubakar, is in a class of his own.
Those who underestimate his capacity, do so at their own peril. Senator Yari Abubakar has shown himself as a rallying point for many silent voices, people who may not be vocal, but who believe in consensus building, collective bargaining, equality, and equity. In the Nigeria of today, these are qualities required for leadership as our people look up to our governments to deliver the dividends of democracy. It follows therefore, that Senator Abdul Aziz Yari is capable in whatsoever capacity he is appointed. Without mincing words, we can say without fear of contradiction that Senator Abdul Aziz Yari Abubakar, is a man who knows how to deliver results, and who would not disappoint!
Mayowa Oluwabiyi writes from Abuja
