Mai Mala Buni “Limamin Sulhu”A Tenacious Political Craftsman

He listens patiently, observes more, wears a generous smile with a captivating character of humility, speaks in measured and reassuring terms. Hon. (Dr) Mai Mala Buni, Yobe State Governor, Chairman, Lake Chad Governors’ Forum and the newly appointed chairman APC Conflict Resolution, Strategy and Mobilization Committee.

On Wednesday 23rd December 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, while inaugurating the Chairman and 13 other members of the Conflict Resolution, strategy and Mobilization Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has this to say of Gov. Mai Mala Buni “I have an experienced man as the Chairman. He has seen a lot of conflicts and understands the Genesis of our party the APC. He will do a very good job of bringing all of us together in one fold.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, by every standard is a well grounded, experienced and successful politician who understands Nigeria’s politics like the palms of his hands. As a leader who has built his political empire over the years, he identifies people with the requisite capacity for every assignment with ease, He is a political juggernaut, a master strategist and a goal getter who always achieves his targets with precision.

It is therefore not a mere coincidence for the president to have identified and assigned Mai Mala Buni to chair the 14 man Strategy, Conflict Resolution and Mobilization Committee of the party. Buni’s successful record of combining governance with political party administration made him the best choice for this assignment.

As a former National secretary of the party, his experience provided him with a good understanding of the workings of the party. It also provided him with the capacity to effectively manage diverse political opinions and interests. His capacity was further strengthened when he became governor of Yobe state and was subsequently appointed chairman of the Extraordinary Convention planning Committee of the party, making him the best with the requisite experience to serve as chairman of the committee.

Other members of the committee consist of experienced, competent and respected politicians who have successfully managed various political party intricacies at various times and in various capacities. They have a wealth of experience in strategy and mobilization. Their ability to resolve either existing or anticipated threats, provides the party with the advantage of a strengthened cohesion.

Distinguished members of the committee include Senator Adamu Aliero; Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbduRazak; Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma; Governors Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Bassey Out (Cross River), Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta).

Other members include Governors Uba Sani (Kaduna), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers); Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; and former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

As a ruling party, the APC would continue to celebrate the mass influx of politicians defecting from various political parties into the APC. This would not only affirm its status as Nigeria’s ruling party but also, Africa’s largest political party.

However, some politicians and public affairs analysts have expressed concern over the increasing defections and its attendant consequences. This concern becomes necessary in view of the geometrical growth, and possible strange bed fellows in the party. There is indeed a wisdom in the leadership of the party for constituting this committee which will invariably manage the party’s success and possible problems that may arise.

This wise decision aligns with the maxim that states “if you fail to manage your success, your success will manage your failure”. Therefore, the constitution of this committee cannot be any other time better than now. This is to have adequate time to manage vast people of different opinions now coming together joined by seeking their ambitions on the same platform.

Sadly, in most cases, failure to achieve such ambitions usually bred enemies from within, and this explains the need to have the Strategy, Conflict Resolution and Mobilization Committee in good time with a good leader and experienced members to strategize, mobilize and resolve the differences.

It is equally important for the party to as early as possible create a conducive environment for a healthy coexistence between the old and new members, the existing and newly arriving political structures, as well as, who gets what at the ward, local government, state and national levels.

Therefore, early mobilization and strategies would not only resolve such seeming differences but would strengthen cohesion for the increasing number of membership to be of asset rather than liability.

The appointment of the soft spoken, cool, calm and calculated Governor places the committee on the path of success. As an excellent bridge builder across all ages and classes, a team player and a passionate achiever, Buni would no doubt provide a leadership that would give aggrieved persons or groups a true sense of belonging. The “Limamin Sulhu”, a man of peace is known for his bargaining power to achieve truce among individuals and groups. He is a team player who believes in team work, who shares responsibilities and credit with his team mates.

He combines governance with party administration with ease. Buni believes in the philosophy of results speaking for themselves rather than media hype and propaganda. This is evident in his successful accomplishments across Yobe State. The state under his watch made tremendous achievements and received multiple awards without fanfare. For instance, Yobe state emerged the best performing state under the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme, a World Bank initiative.

BudgIT, an independent budget tracking organization, ranked Yobe State under Mai Mala Buni as the best-performing state in Nigeria for two consecutive years in the 2023 and 2024 Budget Implementation and Fiscal Transparency. Most recently, Yobe state emerged the 2025 National Champion for Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge in Nigeria. This was managed by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), UNICEF, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), receiving a $1.2m prize tag from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, and many more.

There is no doubt the award winning governor along with his colleagues members of the commitment would replicate such success stories to achieve the desired results.

President Tinubu reminded the committee to note that the All Progressives Congress was built on the ideals of progressive politics, broad-based participation, tolerance and respect for diversity of opinions.

Buni assured that the committee would execute the assignment with utmost responsibility and dedication, and would employ strategic engagements and consultations, to develop an all-encompassing, productive and result-oriented strategy that will stand the test of time and to give everyone, especially aggrieved parties, a sense of belonging, inclusion, and renewed hope.

Buni said the committee will consider proactive solutions to potential threats to the party.

With this cream of tested, trusted and accomplished politicians on the committee, it is a mission accomplished. The party will remain peaceful, accommodating, united and Nigeria’s leading political party.

– Mohammed is the DG Press and Media Affairs to the Yobe State Governor, Hon Mai Mala Buni