Nigerian politician (born )
Ibrahim Gaidam (born 15 September ) is a Nigerian politician and the current Minister of Police Affairs since [1] He previously served as senator representing the Yobe East senatorial district from to ,[2] and as governor of Yobe State from to [3]
Gaidam[4] became governor of Yobe State following the death of Governor Mamman Bello Ali on 26 January He previously served as deputy to Ali from to
Ibrahim Gaidam was born on 15 September in Bukarti village, Yunusari local government area in present day Yobe State.[5] He attended the Borno Teachers' College (BTC), Maiduguri from to , where he obtained a Teachers' Certificate. He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from and , earning a Diploma in Accountancy. Later he returned to Ahmadu Bello University, earned a BSc in Accountancy Degree in and became a member of the Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria.[6]
As an accountant, Ibrahim Gaidam worked in several government ministries in the old Borno State, later Yobe State. He was assistant director of Finance in the Directorate of Foods, Roads and Rural Infrastructure, acting Director of Finance and Supplies in the Yobe Information and Culture Ministry. Ibrahim Gaidam left the civil service in when he was appointed the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, and then Commissioner of Commerce and Industries. He returned to the civil service and from to , he was a Director in the State Finance Ministry and Permanent Secretary in various other ministries.[6]
In April , Ibrahim Gaidam was elected deputy governor of Yobe State on the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) platform, and was sworn into office on 29 May He was sworn in as governor of Yobe State[7] on 27 January , following the death of Governor Mamman Bello Ali in Florida from a liver related problem.[8][2] Alhaji Abubakar Ali, brother of Mamman Ali, was named as the new deputy governor.[9]
Gaidam was appointed chair of the ANPP tactical committee for the elections.[10]
Following violence and rioting incited by the Boko Haram radical Islamic sect in July in northern Nigeria, the Northern Governors' Forum (NGF) called an emergency meeting in Kaduna to discuss security matters. Of the nineteen governors of northern Nigeria, only Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Mohammed Namadi Sambo of Kaduna and Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe attended in person.[11]
In November , Ibrahim Gaidam gave a Sallah goodwill message to the people of Yobe State on the occasion of the Eid el-Kabir celebration. In his speech, he cautioned youths against being incited to violence by selfish religious teachers and rumour mongers, referring to the violence in July He called on all Muslims to cooperate with each other and to co-habit peacefully with followers of other religions in the state.[12]
Gaidam was elected on 26 April for his first full term as governor.[3]
Gaidam was re-elected on 11 April for a second term as governor.[13]
Geidam was elected as senator representing Yobe East in 9th NASS on 23 March