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By Usman Aliyu
In December 2024, during a brief yet memorable Christmas holiday in Ilorin, I had the privilege of meeting a man I had long admired from a distance, Professor Abubakar Olarewaju Sulaiman, the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).
It was more than just a casual encounter. It was a meeting of minds, values, and vision. I sat among other media personalities as the academic-turned-public servant shared his life’s journey, marked by relentless service, integrity, and an uncommon passion for nation-building.
As a native of Ilorin, I had followed Professor Sulaiman’s trajectory since his days at the University of Abuja, watching him weather storms with intellectual poise and quiet resilience. Little did I know that fate would one day offer me the opportunity to meet him in person. He is a man whose public life I deeply respect and whose commitment to Nigeria’s democratic ideals is unwavering.
Many who know me have since asked: What do you see in this man? What makes him so special? My answer is simple: Amana, which denotes trust, honesty, and accountability. A title not self-bestowed, but one earned through years of selfless service and principled leadership. In today’s political climate, where loyalty is too often transactional and leadership fleeting, men like Prof. Sulaiman remind us of what true public service ought to be.
Though the esteemed Director has not publicly declared an intention to run for the coveted governorship of Kwara State in 2027, this is my bold call to duty, a call not rooted in sentiment, but in the reality of our times.
“The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men,” Plato once warned. In a season where silence is complicity, I choose to speak.
Let us not forget, no one with a sound memory can overlook the impact Prof. Sulaiman made during his brief but powerful eight-month tenure as Minister of National Planning and Economic Development under former President Goodluck Jonathan. Despite the short period, his vision left a deep imprint, driven by data, policy discipline, and developmental foresight.
But if that feels too distant, consider what he has accomplished at NILDS over the last six years. Before his appointment, the Institute was largely unknown to most Nigerians. Today, it stands as a beacon of legislative excellence and policy research, thanks to Prof. Sulaiman’s visionary leadership. Under his stewardship, NILDS has become a respected hub for legislative capacity building, not just in Nigeria but across Africa.
More tellingly, he has worked harmoniously with three Senate Presidents and three Speakers of the House of Representatives, cutting across party lines. In an era when even members of the same party struggle to find common ground, his ability to foster unity and deliver results is proof of a rare kind of political wisdom. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Prof. Sulaiman has been tested and proven.
Looking around today at the political terrain of Kwara State, I see many aspirants but few visionaries. Many contenders, but few builders. Among the parade of hopefuls aiming to succeed Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, none, in my view, matches the competence, credibility, and unifying leadership that Prof. Sulaiman embodies.
Kwara needs not just a politician, but a statesman. Someone who understands governance beyond slogans. Someone whose legacy can inspire, unite, and uplift. That man, I believe, is Abubakar O. Sulaiman.
“A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” — Lao Tzu. Prof. Sulaiman’s leadership style reflects this timeless truth. He leads quietly, yet his impact resonates loudly.
To the good people of Kwara, I say, the time to start the conversation is now. To the man himself, I urge, heed this call to service once more. The future of Kwara may well depend on it.
...Usman is a journalist and can be reached via aliyunannews@yahoo.com
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