Alhaji Balarabe Musa: Poorest ex-governor in Nigeria

For those who never knew, the poorest Nigerian ex-governor is, Alhaji Balarabe Musa. He was the former Governor of Kaduna State, between October 1979 to 23 June 1981. Alhaji Balarabe Musa was preceded by Ibrahim Mahmud Alfa and succeeded by Abba Musa Rimi.

Alhaji Balarabe Musa days as the Governor of Kaduna State

He was elected governor of Kaduna State in 1979 on the platform of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), his election was challenged unsuccessfully by the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). As Governor he was stalemated by the Kaduna state house of assembly, which was dominated by NPN members. He was unable to form a cabinet since he refused to nominate NPN members and the House refused to ratify his candidates. Eventually the House impeached him in June 1981, making him the first Nigerian state governor ever to be impeached.

10 facts you did not know about Nigeria’s ‘poorest’ ex-governor

1. He was ex Chief Accountant of the Broadcasting Company of Northern Nigeria(BCNN) and one of the first set of Chartered Accountants in Northern Nigeria.
2. He has been a politician and social crusader for over 38 years and been canvassing for a new social order in Nigeria.
3. In 1979, he was impeached as governor and in 1990, he joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), a political party formed and funded by the then General Ibrahim Babangida regime.
4. In 1993, he opposed the annulment of June 12 presidential election which was won by Chief M.K.O Abiola.
5. He protested with Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and Muhammadu Buhari against the flawed 2003 elections in Abuja.
6. He has been at the barricades, protesting, agitating and denouncing the establishment over unpopular programmes and policies.
7. He was born to the District Head of Kaya, a Village in Giwa local government area of Kaduna state in 1938.
8. In 1979, he retired from the civil service and joined politics, culminating to his election as governor of Kaduna state.
9. He has a three bedroom bungalow, a monthly pension of N741,000, a 1,200 acre farm and an old Mercedes Benz car are his only possession.
10. At 80, the former governor still drives himself, without a police orderly. No government monument, public building or even street has been made after him in Kaduna state.