Tinubu honours longtime Ally Abu Ibrahim at 80, recounts years of political bond

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

President Bola Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to his longtime ally and confidant, Senator Abu Ibrahim, as the veteran lawmaker marks his 80th birthday on October 28, 2025.

In a heartfelt statement released on Monday, Tinubu described the Katsina-born politician as “more than a friend, a brother,” recalling their enduring friendship that began in the Senate chambers during the short-lived Third Republic in 1992.

According to the President, their political bond was founded on shared values of justice, good governance, and democracy, principles that, he said, have remained the foundation of Ibrahim’s public life.

“Abu’s commitment to democracy, progressive politics, and nation-building is particularly remarkable,” Tinubu noted, praising his ally’s re-elections to the Senate in 2003 and 2011 as a testament to his dedication to his people and the development of Katsina State.

Tinubu recounted their joint struggle during Nigeria’s turbulent years under military rule, particularly after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

He revealed how both men and other pro-democracy lawmakers reconvened the Senate in Lagos to denounce the annulment, a defiance that led to their arrest and detention.

“When the authorities released him and left the rest of us in the cell, Abu refused to leave, insisting that all of us be released together,” Tinubu wrote, describing the act as an emblem of Ibrahim’s loyalty and moral courage.

He also credited Senator Ibrahim with playing a key role in the formation and consolidation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013, a merger that eventually brought both men under one political banner.

Tinubu said Ibrahim’s advocacy for peace and unity within the APC had been invaluable to the party’s growth.

“As a patriot, Abu has lived a life dedicated to public service and the pursuit of a greater Nigeria,” Tinubu stated, adding that Ibrahim’s unwavering support during his 2023 presidential campaign and his continued counsel have been instrumental to the success of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Tinubu prayed for Senator Ibrahim’s continued health and strength, describing him as a principled statesman whose wisdom and devotion to Nigeria remain “a beacon of loyalty and leadership.”