TO the technologically savvy youngster or Gen Z, GSM means Global System for Mobile Communications. It is an open and digital technology used for transmitting mobile and data services. Smartphones, laptops, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G are words associated with GSM. To the APM/PDP and party loyalists in Oyo State, GSM implies Governor Seyi Makinde. Some followers and supporters have even taken their sycophancy to the next level by interpreting and referring to him as the God-Sent Man (GSM). The GSM I am writing on today is that very exclusive privileged, recycled set of politicians. Many are still in active service. The groups are those who were elected or appointed civilian/military governors, have sat in the hallowed Red Chamber as distinguished senators and have had the rare privilege of serving as an honourable minister (GSM) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the course of their political careers. Many politicians have achieved 2 of the 3 but at the last count, only about 12 Nigerians have achieved the 3 in almost 66 years of the country’s independence. This makes it a very exclusive club. It is comparable to the very exclusive club of 4-star Generals in the Military. Apart from Heads of State, less than 20 Nigerians have attained the rank since independence.
The following Nigerians are members of this exclusive club. Chief Jim Nwobodo. The young, dashing and dapper Governor of Old Anambra State. He became the chief executive at the age of 39 in 1979. He was defeated by Chief C.C. Onoh (Bianca Ojukwu’s father) of NPN in 1983. Chief Nwobodo was elected Senator for Enugu East Senatorial district from 1999 to 2003. In 1995, General Sani Abacha appointed him as the Minister for Youth and Sports. He has retired from active politics. Senator David Mark is Nigeria’s longest-serving Senator from 1999 to 2019. He served for 5 terms, 2 of which from 2007 to 2015 was spent as the Senate President. Mark was the Military Governor of Niger State from 1989 to 1990. General lbrahim Babangida appointed him as the Minister of Communications. He will be remembered for his unfortunate statement that telephone is only for the rich. What are his thoughts about that today? Senator Mark is currently the National Chairman of ADC. George Akume governed Benue State on the platform of PDP from 1999 to 2007. He was also a 2-term Senator for Benue NW. Under President Buhari, he was the Minister for Special Duties. Senator Akume is currently the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
Ibrahim Shekarau was a 2-term governor of Kano State from 2003 to 2011. He also represented Kano Central in the red chamber on the platform of the APC. The senator served as the Minister for Education under President Jonathan from 2014 to 2015. Abudullai Adamu was the Governor of Nasarawa State from 1999 to 2007. Likewise, a Senator for 2 terms. Adamu served as Minister of State for Works and Housing under the military junta of Sani Abacha. His most recent appointment was as the National Chairman of APC. This exclusive group also includes Dr Chris Ngige. He was the governor of Anambra State on the platform of PDP from 2003 to 2006. From 2011 to 2015, he represented Anambra Central Senatorial District in the red chamber. His last public appointment was as the Minister of Labor and Employment under the APC administration of President Buhari. Rabiu Kwankwaso served as Governor of Kano State under the platform of PDP from 1990 to 2003 and 2011 to 2015. President Obasanjo appointed him as Minister of Defense in 2003. He was the Senator representing Kano Central from 2015 to 2019 on the banner of APC. He is now the Vice Presidential candidate of the NDC for the 2027 general elections.
Dave Umahi is the current Minister of Works under President Tinubu. Umahi was a Senator for 2 months before his appointment as a Minister. He was the Governor of Ebonyi State from 2015 to 2023, after serving as Deputy Governor from 2011 to 2015. Umahi was the first PDP governor to decamp to the APC. He opened the floodgate for other PDP governors to follow. From 14 PDP governors in 2019 to zero today. Bala Mohammed is rounding up his 2nd term as Governor of Bauchi State on the platform of APM. Although he became the Governor under PDP. He was the last man standing in the PDP Governors Forum. Bala was the Chairman, while Seyi Makinde of Oyo State was the Deputy Chairman. Bala Mohammed was the Minister of the FCT (Federal Capital Territory) from 2010 to 2015 and represented Bauchi South in the Senate from 2007 to 2010. The Senate President Godswill Akpabio, started his Senatorial journey in 2015 as the Minority Leader, despite being a first timer. He defected to the APC in 2018. Akpabio was defeated by the PDP candidate in 2019. President Buhari appointed him as the Minister of the Niger Delta in 2019. He returned to the Senate in 2023 in a controversial manner. Akpabio was a 2 term Governor of Akwa lbom state from 2007 to 2015. He labeled himself as the uncommon Governor.
Senator Adamu Aliero is the incumbent APC Senator for Kebbi Central, on his 3rd term. Aliero was the PDP governor of Kebbi State from 1999 to 2007. President Yar’Adua appointed him as the Minister of the FCT from 2008 to 2010. Last but not the least is that detribalised Nigerian, Senator Ike Nwachukwu. An officer and gentleman. A 2-time Minister of Foreign Affairs under the Military. He was also a minister of Labor, Employment and Productivity under the Military. In 1983, he was appointed as the Military Governor of Old lmo State. In 1999 he was elected as the Senator for Abia North, serving only one term. Senator Nwachuku has retired from active politics. In a country with a population of over 200 million, what has been the staying power of these politicians? Food for thought!
•Alafe-Aluko, a political analyst, writes in from Ibadan
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