Ghali Umar Na'Abba
Encyclopedia
Ghali Umar Na'Abba is a Nigeria
n businessman and politician, a member of the People's Democratic Party
(PDP) who represented the Kano Municipal Federal constituency of Kano State
from 1999 to 2003.
, Kano
, in 1954. He studied Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University
, Zaria
, and was later elected secretary of the ABU chapter of the People's Redemption Party
. He became a director of the Umaru Na’abba Commercial Trading company.
His media advisor was Eziuche Ubani
, Editor-at-Large of ThisDay, who went on to become a Representative himself in 2007.
In November 2001, Ghali Na’Abba visited Nasarawa State
where he met with governor Abdullahi Adamu
. He commiserated with the people over recent communal clashes and urged them to practice accommodation and co-existence.
In August 2002, the House gave president Olusegun Obasanjo an ultimatum to either resign or face impeachment action. As speaker, Ghali Na’Abba said the House would not withdraw the resolution.
Na'Abba was the leader of the impeachment movement. It was reported that Obasanjo gave members of the House inducements to bring charges against Na'Abba.
In September 2002, Na'Abba was called before Independent Corrupt Practices Commission
(ICPC) to answer a petition filed by Sam Obande, a member of the House.
The charges detailed in the 50-page petition included gross and unjust enrichment, illegal withdrawals of public funds, extra-budgetary spending and official corruption.
Later, the Senate and the House of Representatives modified the anti-corruption Act, giving Na'abba immunity from prosecution.
Na'Abba was defeated by the candidate of the All Nigeria People's Party
(ANP). He denied that he had been suspended from the PDP, and said his defeat was due to a conspiracy between the police, the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) and the state government.
In December 2004, he was honoured with a chieftaincy title in Imo State
.
In December 2005, he formally resigned from the People's Democratic Party, along with other members of the Movement for the Defence of Democracy including Audu Innocent Ogbeh
and Abubakar Rimi
.
Later, he joined the Action Congress
(AC) party, led by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar
.
In January 2006, Ghali Na’Abba attended the commissioning of a computer centre constructed by Representative Farouk Adamu Aliyu in Kudu
. A dispute broke out between police and State Security Services officers protecting Ghali Na'Abba, when the police refused to let Na'Abba enter Aliyu's compound. The police claimed the intimidation attempt was ordered "from above".
In 2007, the leadership of Action Congress rejected his bid to be their candidate for governor of Kano State
. He then returned to the PDP.
In August 2009, Ghali Na’Abba was among former and current leaders who established the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform initiative in an attempt to push through reforms to the 1999 constitution, a difficult task requiring 2/3 majorities in both houses.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n businessman and politician, a member of the People's Democratic Party
People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)
The People's Democratic Party is a political party in Nigeria. Its policies generally lie towards the right wing of the political spectrum. It has won every single Presidential elections since 1999, namely: 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011, and is the dominant party in the Fourth Republic.-History:In...
(PDP) who represented the Kano Municipal Federal constituency of Kano State
Kano State
Kano State is a state located in North-Western Nigeria. Created on May 27, 1967 from part of the Northern Region, Kano state borders Katsina State to the north-west, Jigawa State to the north-east, Bauchi State to the south-east and Kaduna State to the south-west...
from 1999 to 2003.
Background
Ghali Umar Na'Abba was born in Tudun WadaTudun Wada
Tudun Wada is a Local Government Area in Kano State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Tudun Wada in the west of the area on the state border.It has an area of 1,204 km² and a population of 231,742 at the 2006 census....
, Kano
Kano
Kano is a city in Nigeria and the capital of Kano State in Northern Nigeria. Its metropolitan population is the second largest in Nigeria after Lagos. The Kano Urban area covers 137 sq.km and comprises six Local Government Area - Kano Municipal, Fagge, Dala, Gwale, Tarauni and Nassarawa - with a...
, in 1954. He studied Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University
Ahmadu Bello University
Ahmadu Bello University is the largest university in Nigeria and second largest in Africa, second only to Cairo University, Egypt. It is situated in Zaria. It was founded on October 4, 1962 as the University of Northern Nigeria....
, Zaria
Zaria
Zaria may refer to:*Zaria, a city in Kaduna State, Nigeria*Zaria , or Zoria, the Slavic goddess of beauty*Countess Zaria of Orange-Nassau, Jonkvrouwe van Amsberg, a member of the Dutch royal family...
, and was later elected secretary of the ABU chapter of the People's Redemption Party
People's Redemption Party
The People's Redemption Party was a political party in Nigeria. Often considered the Second Republic incarnation of the Northern Elements Progressive Union, the party was created by the late Mallam Aminu Kano. The PRP was highly regarded as a progressive left of center political party. Some well...
. He became a director of the Umaru Na’abba Commercial Trading company.
House career
Ghali Umar Na'Abba was elected as representative for the Kano Municipal Federal constituency in April 1999, on the PDP ticket. He was appointed Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee before he was elected speaker of the House of Representatives.His media advisor was Eziuche Ubani
Eziuche Ubani
Eziuche Chinwe Ubani is a Nigerian journalist and politician, a member of the People's Democratic Party who represent the Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugwumagbo constituency of Abia State.He was elected in 2007.-Background:...
, Editor-at-Large of ThisDay, who went on to become a Representative himself in 2007.
In November 2001, Ghali Na’Abba visited Nasarawa State
Nasarawa State
Nasarawa State is a state in central Nigeria. Its capital is Lafia.-History:Nasarawa was created on 1 October 1996 by the Abacha government from the Plateau State.-Geography:...
where he met with governor Abdullahi Adamu
Abdullahi Adamu
Abdullahi Adamu was governor of Nasarawa State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. He is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party .-Background:Abdullahi Adamu was born at Keffi, Nasarawa State, on July 23, 1946...
. He commiserated with the people over recent communal clashes and urged them to practice accommodation and co-existence.
In August 2002, the House gave president Olusegun Obasanjo an ultimatum to either resign or face impeachment action. As speaker, Ghali Na’Abba said the House would not withdraw the resolution.
Na'Abba was the leader of the impeachment movement. It was reported that Obasanjo gave members of the House inducements to bring charges against Na'Abba.
In September 2002, Na'Abba was called before Independent Corrupt Practices Commission
Independent Corrupt Practices Commission
The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission , is a Nigerian agency that was inaugurated on the 29th of September 2000 following the recommendation of President Olusegun Obasanjo...
(ICPC) to answer a petition filed by Sam Obande, a member of the House.
The charges detailed in the 50-page petition included gross and unjust enrichment, illegal withdrawals of public funds, extra-budgetary spending and official corruption.
Later, the Senate and the House of Representatives modified the anti-corruption Act, giving Na'abba immunity from prosecution.
Later career
Ghali Umar Na’Abba sought reelection in April 2003. A few days before the election the Kano state chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Yusuf Kutamato, said he had been expelled from the PDP party due to "anti-party activities".Na'Abba was defeated by the candidate of the All Nigeria People's Party
All Nigeria People's Party
The All Nigeria Peoples Party is a conservative political party in Nigeria. At the last legislative elections , the party won 27.0% of the popular vote and 92 out of 360 seats in the House of Representatives and 27 out of 109 seats in the Senate...
(ANP). He denied that he had been suspended from the PDP, and said his defeat was due to a conspiracy between the police, the Independent National Electoral Commission
Independent National Electoral Commission
The Independent National Electoral Commission , set up in 1998, is the electoral body which was set up to oversee elections in Nigeria.The INEC has encountered several controversies in the run-up to the April 2007 general elections, including criticism about its preparedness from Sada Abubakar,...
(INEC) and the state government.
In December 2004, he was honoured with a chieftaincy title in Imo State
Imo State
Imo State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria and lies to the south of Nigeria with Owerri as its capital and largest city.-History:Imo State came into existence in 1976 along with other new states created under the leadership of the late military ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammad, having been...
.
In December 2005, he formally resigned from the People's Democratic Party, along with other members of the Movement for the Defence of Democracy including Audu Innocent Ogbeh
Audu Innocent Ogbeh
Audu Innocent Ogbeh is a Nigerian politician who was chairman of the People's Democratic Party from 2001 until January 2005.-Background:Ogbeh was born on July 28, 1947, in Otukpo, Benue State, of Idoma background....
and Abubakar Rimi
Abubakar Rimi
Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi was a Nigerian politician, who was the governor of Kano State during the Nigerian Second Republic. He died following an attack by armed robbers.- Background :...
.
Later, he joined the Action Congress
Action Congress
The Action Congress of Nigeria , formerly known as Action Congress , is a classical liberal Nigerian political party formed via the merger of the Alliance for Democracy, the Justice Party, the Advance Congress of Democrats, and several other minor political parties in September 2006. The party...
(AC) party, led by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar
Atiku Abubakar
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, alias Turakin Adamawa, GCON was the Vice-President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007. He is a Muslim native of Adamawa State, and was an influential member of the ruling People's Democratic Party until 2006 when he switched affiliation to the Action Congress party...
.
In January 2006, Ghali Na’Abba attended the commissioning of a computer centre constructed by Representative Farouk Adamu Aliyu in Kudu
Kudu
The kudus are two species of antelope of the genus Tragelaphus:*Lesser Kudu, Tragelaphus imberbis*Greater Kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros- Etymology :...
. A dispute broke out between police and State Security Services officers protecting Ghali Na'Abba, when the police refused to let Na'Abba enter Aliyu's compound. The police claimed the intimidation attempt was ordered "from above".
In 2007, the leadership of Action Congress rejected his bid to be their candidate for governor of Kano State
Kano State
Kano State is a state located in North-Western Nigeria. Created on May 27, 1967 from part of the Northern Region, Kano state borders Katsina State to the north-west, Jigawa State to the north-east, Bauchi State to the south-east and Kaduna State to the south-west...
. He then returned to the PDP.
In August 2009, Ghali Na’Abba was among former and current leaders who established the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform initiative in an attempt to push through reforms to the 1999 constitution, a difficult task requiring 2/3 majorities in both houses.