Adieu, M D Yusufu

He was 85 years old. Born of an aristocratic ancestry, by the time he grew into adulthood, after completing Arabic education in Kano, MD had been infected with radical idealism, courtesy of Sa’adu Zungur and Malam Aminu Kano who were both leading members of Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU). He joined NEPU in earnest and […]

He was 85 years old. Born of an aristocratic ancestry, by the time he grew into adulthood, after completing Arabic education in Kano, MD had been infected with radical idealism, courtesy of Sa’adu Zungur and Malam Aminu Kano who were both leading members of Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU). He joined NEPU in earnest and rose through the ranks to become its secretary in Katsina provinces.
This radical opposition to entrenched privilege was to define his early life. But he was saved from further radicalism when he was thrust into Northern Nigerian civil service, where his left-wing leaning attracted suspicion. MD joined the police force in a dramatic manner; he eyed the foreign service of independent Nigeria but ended up in The Nigeria Police Force. He however distinguished himself in a career spanning 17 years (1962-1979), He was commissioner of police for the Northern Nigeria, head of special branch and eventually the Inspector General of police from 1975-1979. He retired honourably to his ancestral Katsina home, only to cause a stir by planting conspicuously the flag of the Peoples’ Redemption Party (PRP) in front of his house! PRP was the radical and progressive party formed by the late Malam Aminu Kano, with whom he shared a revolutionary spirit. He later served as the chairman, board of directors, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and founded a political party, Movement for Democracy and Justice.
Perhaps the most daring of his political activities was his presidential ambition which amounted to a challenge to the late General Sani Abacha. He was eventually sidelined in the adoption of Abacha as consensus candidate by the existing parties.
However, he gained tremendous goodwill from within and outside Nigeria for his dogged stand against tyranny. In spite of his attainment in life coupled with his aristocratic background, MD remained humble, accessible and respectful. May almighty Allah grant him al-janaat firdaus, and give his family and friends the fortitude to bear this huge loss. Adieu MD!

Adedeji Nurudeen Badejo, Surulere, Lagos State<[email protected]>;