*A tale of conflict, corruption, ambition, defiance, non-performance, and constituency neglect
By Segun Otokiti
Today, Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, the representative of Zamfara West Senatorial District and former Governor of Zamfara State, appears to have emerged as a significant figure in the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Until now and at the early life of the current 10th National Assembly, Yari, along 14 other senators, were published as 15 least performing in the Senate in a performance report released by OrderPaper Nigeria for not sponsoring a single bill between June 2023 and May 2024. This lack of legislative output led to criticism regarding his effectiveness, as bill sponsorship is a primary metric for assessing a lawmaker’s performance.
OrderPaper is a parliamentary monitoring organization that specializes in independent reporting on the National Assembly. Its appraisals serve as barometer for measuring legislators based on their legislative output. The OrderPaper Nigeria’s assessment of Yari shows that many legislators did not meet expectations for sponsoring bills in their first year. The appraisals focus on the primary duty of members to introduce, debate, and pass legislation.
Yari’s listing at the time implied that his lack of legislative input occurred despite his position as Chairman of the Committee on Water Resources, and emphasized low legislative progress in terms of substantive bill sponsorship rather than just attendance. As of mid-2024, approximately one year into the 10th Senate, Yari was noted as one of the senators who had not sponsored any bills. While some of his peers, including other former governors, had introduced several pieces of legislation, his name was frequently cited among those with a “no show” record for bill initiation during the period under review.
His critics had argued that he had focused more on internal power dynamics than on his duties to his constituents. This was notably seen in his defiance of the APC’s zoning arrangement to contest the Senate Presidency, a move that some viewed as a rebellion that prioritized personal ambition over party discipline and legislative stability.
Outside legislative duty assessment, he has also been generally pilloried for maintaining conflict of interest by involvement in outside appointments. His appointment to the board of Geregu Power Plc while serving as a senator has drawn criticism from groups who allege a potential conflict of interest and a breach of public trust.
Public attention has, in addition, been drawn to ongoing investigations and past allegations continue to shadow his legislative tenure. This includes his arrest by the DSS in July 2023 over alleged dubious financial transactions involving the former Central Bank Governor. Groups like the Center for Contemporary Trusteeship (CCT) had at the time called for his resignation, citing these scandals as a distraction from his role as an honest leader.
Yari is also assailed by allegation of neglect of constituency issues during his time in public office, including his transition to the Senate. He has been accused of failing to adequately address the rampant insecurity and poverty in Zamfara State. Opponents, such as Senator Kabiru Marafa, have historically characterized his leadership style as inept in the face of criminal banditry and cattle rustling affecting his people. Like Marafa, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara, Ibrahim Lawal, equally accused Yari of having hidden political interests and secret dealings, calling for his scrutiny by party leadership.
Former Governor of Zamfara Bello Matawalle is not left out in interrogation of Yari’s suitability as leader, who through his administration set up a transition committee that alleged Yari misappropriated ₦251 billion during his time as governor, though Yari denied it. Also, a former Finance Commissioner in the state, Rabiu Garba, alleged that Yari and an associate diverted ₦37 billion in federal project refunds.
Worse still, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) once secured an interim forfeiture of properties linked to Yari in 2022, while Zamfara political activists accused him of spending state resources on luxurious personal items, including a BMW X6, and engaging in reckless financial behavior while in office. There was also the mention of a $500,000 allegation from the 2023 Senate Presidency race, which was listed as part of a betrayal storyline rather than a direct, sustained criticism of his legislative work after he took office.
On the crest of the many allegations of financial and official malfeasance, the Yoruba Youths recently opposed the conferment of a traditional title “Obaloyin of Yorubaland” on him due to his past record.
Conversely however, supporters point to his recent calls for national unity, his support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, and his defense of legislative independence as evidence of a committed, if controversial, political figure.
Legislative milestones amidst criticisms
Immediately following his entry into the 10th Senate, Senator Yari demonstrated high-level ambition by contesting the Senate Presidency. Despite not winning the top post, he established himself as a prominent opposition within the party, eventually aligning with the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio for the sake of party unity and legislative stability.
His official committee assignment has been a key pillar of his work. In August 2023, he was appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources. In this capacity, Yari has pledged to bridge the gap between policy and practical application, emphasizing that the committee will focus on the “yearnings of the people.” His stated agenda for the committee includes strengthening the Federal Government’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs, and overseeing the development of irrigation systems to improve agricultural production and food security, a critical need in his native North-West region.
While Senator Yari has not been noted as a high-volume sponsor of individual, flashy bills in the early stages of the 10th assembly, with some reports suggesting a focus on substantive committee work over individual bill sponsorship, his impact on legislation is often achieved through high-stakes politics and consensus building. His contributions in the Red Chamber often revolve around agricultural development, economic empowerment, and security.
As a member of the upper chamber, he has consistently supported initiatives geared towards stabilizing the Nigerian economy. In his 2025 engagement, he advocated for a long-term approach to economic recovery, comparing the current economic challenges in Nigeria to a leaking roof that requires comprehensive, often difficult, structural reconstruction rather than temporary fixes.
Constituency projects and agricultural empowerment
Senator Yari’s legislative duties have been observed as heavily anchored in providing direct benefits to his constituents in Zamfara West. His approach to legislative duties includes a strong focus on philanthropy and community-based, projects (constituency projects).
Key among his initiatives is his agricultural support programme is the recognition that Zamfara State has been hit by the scourge of banditry, which affects farming, Yari has taken steps to boost agricultural productivity. In mid-2025, Yari initiated a massive fertilizer subsidy, waiving over 1.3 billion naira in costs for farmers, supplying 81 trucks of fertilizer, and ensuring reduced pricing (20,000 naira per bag instead of 45,000–50,000 naira). He has been consistent in providing fertilizers and essential inputs to local farmers, focusing on enhancing food security in the region.
Social development and educational initiatives
Beyond agriculture, Yari’s performance is notable for his engagement in education and health services within his district. He launched a comprehensive scholarship scheme in 2024, providing full scholarships to 1,700 indigenes of Zamfara State across all 14 local government areas, targeting students needing financial assistance for education. Also in November 2023, he sponsored a massive eye-care medical initiative where over 1,000 residents of Zamfara West received free medical treatments and surgeries, which was widely praised as a direct impact on the lives of the poor.
Political influence and party loyalty
While his initial push for the Senate presidency was viewed as defiance of party zoning, Yari has since redefined his role as a unifying figure within the APC. He has worked to bridge the gap between different political factions in Zamfara, a state that has suffered from internal party disputes. His continued support for the federal government’s policy reforms, despite challenges, indicates his evolution into a strategic party stakeholder in the 10th Senate.
Senator Abdulaziz Yari’s performance in the 10th Senate is a blend of high-level legislative strategy and grassroots-oriented philanthropy. By focusing on his role as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources, while simultaneously running high-impact constituency projects in agricultural, health, and education sectors, he has built a strong reputation. While not among the most prolific individual bill sponsors, his legislative impact is clearly defined by his ability to directly affect the lives of his constituents and manage critical infrastructure development, marking him as a significant player in the Nigerian Senate.
Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari was born in January 28, 1968 in Talata Mafara, Zamfara State. He is a Nigerian politician and businessman currently serving as the Senator for Zamfara West Senatorial District since 2023. He’s formerly two-term Governor of Zamfara State between 2011 and 2019 and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum between 2015 and 2019. He has been a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Yari holds diplomas in Secretarial Studies and Public Administration. He started his political career in 1999, serving as the Secretary of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) in Zamfara. He served in the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011 before being elected governor in 2011. As governor, he focused on infrastructure, health, and agriculture.His tenure as governor faced scrutiny over security challenges. In the Senate, he has advocated for patience with economic reforms and the Tinubu administration’s policies. He is also known as the “White Lion” and was recently installed as the Obaloyin of Yorubaland.
