Awwal Ibrahim

Mohammed Awwal Ibrahim
Governor of Niger State
In office
October 1979 – December 1983
Preceded by Joseph Oni
Succeeded by David Mark
Emir of Suleja
In office
1993 – 10 May 1994
Preceded by Malam Ibrahim Dodo Musa
Succeeded by Bashir Sulaiman Barau
Emir of Suleja
Assumed office
17 January 2000
Preceded by Bashir Sulaiman Barau

Alhaji Mohammed Awwal Ibrahim is a Nigerian traditional ruler who served as governor of Niger State from October 1979 to December 1983 during the Nigerian Second Republic. He was elected on the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) platform.[1]

Biography

There were attempts to impeach Ibrahim while he was governor.[2] He was forced out of office after the coup that brought General Muhammadu Buhari to power.[1] A military tribunal set up by the Buhari government convicted him of abuse of power and corruption 1984. In 1986 he was barred for life from holding public office or participating in partisan politics.[3]

The Suleja Emirate is a Hausa emirate established in the early 19th century, formerly called Abuja, in what is now Niger State. In 1976 a large part of the emirate plus territory from other states became the Federal Capital Territory, centered on the new city of Abuja. The emirate was renamed Suleja, based on the renamed town of Suleja which remained in Niger State.[4] Awwal Ibrahim became the Emir, or Sarki, of Suleja in 1993. His accession resulted in rioting and destruction of property by opponents.[5] He was deposed on 10 May 1994 by General Sani Abacha.[6]

After the return to democracy, Awwal Ibrahim was restored to his title of Emir of Suleja on 17 January 2000. His restoration again caused a series of violent clashes, forcing the government to call in anti-riot troopers and impose a 20-hour curfew.[7] Twenty one people were arrested including the chairman of the Suleja Emirate, Alhaji Shuaibu Barda.[8] Speaking at Awwal Ibrahim's palace in June 2008, Niger State governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu noted the environmental and social problems that expansion of the federal capital has caused to the ancient city of Suleja and called for federal funding to accelerate development.[9]

In September 2001, Ibrahim was awarded the title of Commander of the Niger.[10] In 2010 he was chairman of the Niger State government's Committee on Reformation of Almajirci. The Almajirci are itinerant students of the Quran who depend on alms to survive.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 "Nigerian States". WorldStatesmen. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  2. ↑ Mike S.C. Nwabueze (August 1982). "NIGERIA: AFTER BALARABE, IT’S METASTASIS OF IMPEACHMENT". Afriscope. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
  3. ↑ "50 Persons Banned for Life" (PDF). New Nigerian. 26 July 1986. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  4. ↑ Umar Shu'aibu (21 November 2007). "Abuja - How the Name And Land Were Acquired". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
  5. ↑ Uthman Abubakar (21 April 2009). "Suleja NIPOST Becomes Shopping Plaza". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
  6. ↑ "Traditional States of Nigeria". Archived from the original on 18 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  7. ↑ Tony Orilade (3 April 2000). "Suleja Goes Up In Smoke Again". The News (Lagos). Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  8. ↑ "USAID/OTI Nigeria Field Report". USAID. March 27 – April 10, 2000. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  9. ↑ Aisha Wamako (18 June 2008). "Suleja Prisons, Where Baby Sins for Mum". This Day. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
  10. ↑ Donald Andoor (2001-10-01). "Anyim, Ogunbanjo, Balarabe, 223 Others Honoured". ThisDay. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
  11. ↑ HAJIYA BILKISU (17 March 2010). "Almajirci and the burden of guilt (I)". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2010-03-26.


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