Per Ishaq Samaila: “Waziri” For Strategy. “Mai Jama’a” for Service. One Man. One Mission. Ibrahim Kabir Masari
By Abba Anwar
I read with great admiration and clear endorsement the piece by Ishaq Samaila titled “Why President Tinubu Calls Ibrahim Kabir Masari ‘Waziri’ and the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu calls him ‘Mai Jama’a.” It is not only an envelope of precision, it is also the kind of political writing we need more of under the current political atmosphere; thoughtful, measured, and rooted in substance rather than fallacy.
Ishaq Samaila deserves commendation for capturing what many in Abuja understand but few can articulate so clearly. As he rightly noted, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu describes Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir Masari as his ‘Waziri’ — a traditional title associated with counsel, responsibility, political strategy and service close to leadership. And First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has referred to him as ‘Mai Jama’a’ a Hausa expression meaning “man of the people.”
These are not casual and loosed nicknames. In Samaila’s analysis, they represent “… two defining sides of Masari’s political identity.” I could not agree more. And it is on this premise that I offer this addendum, not to debate, but to amplify and showcase how Masari, the man, embodies every word in that excellent article.
Being “Waziri” in tensed and difficult political atmosphere isn’t a joke. The man, Masari, is an embodiment of Presidential trust, vision for the nation and unwavering loyalty from the former. While the latter maintains a very long standing relationship. He (Masari) is entrusted with the weight of the nation’s political stability. It is to be the calm in the storm, the ear that listens as it sounds musical to it, before decisions are made, and the hand that builds bridges where others see walls and castles in the air.
That is Masari. As Special Adviser to the President on Political and Other Matters, he has operated with a rare combination of discretion, ingenuity, efficiency and effectiveness. At a time when governance requires managing 36 states, 360 federal constituencies, and thousands of political interests, Masari has been the President’s henchman and trusted anchor.
He does not grandstand. He does not seek credit. His work is in the consultations that prevent crises, in the engagements that align stakeholders with the Renewed Hope Agenda, and in the political intelligence that allows leadership to stay ahead of challenges. Also in political sophistication that strengthens presidential ambition through utilization of all options.
This is the modern definition of a Waziri: a man who serves power by serving the country first. President Tinubu, a master political strategist himself, recognized this quality in Masari and brought him closer in strategy and execution. It was not by accident. It was designed long before now. A relationship built over decades and rooted in trust.
If “Waziri” explains Masari in the Villa, “Mai Jama’a” explains Masari in the villages, in our communities. And this is where his political genius truly shines. This is where he speaks wisdom, freedom and breaks chain of hardship, to stardom, to build a kingdom of service. He is a great leader and mentor who never left ground, grassroot. Hence, he is well grounded and firmer.
The title “Man of the People” is the hardest to earn in Nigerian politics because the people themselves must give it to you. You cannot buy it. You cannot lobby for it. You can only work for it. The title is more or less, achievable and non-replaceable. Masari toiled for it and achieved it.
First Lady’s description speaks to something deeper than politics. It speaks to character and characteristics. To accessibility and creativity. To a man who, despite holding one of the most sensitive political offices in the country, still believes in his people, still attends community events, and still understands the language of the ordinary Nigerian. Hence the initiation of many interventions. To help people become economically independent, culturally creative and politically reliable.
From Katsina to Kano, from party meetings to condolence visits, Masari has maintained what Samaila correctly called “… grassroots orientation and his ability to maintain contact with communities, political supporters and ordinary citizens.” What a reliable political figure. Reliability in its purest form.
He is proof that you can be in the room where national strategy is decided in the morning, and still be on the ground listening to market women and youth leaders in the evening. A balanced political figure, who believes strategy keeps political opponents continuously busy from a position of weakness. That balance is rare. That balance is leadership. That balance is resistance against a non-welfare state.
As Samaila concluded so powerfully, “Tinubu’s ‘Waziri’ is also the First Lady’s ‘Mai Jama’a.’ One description highlights his role around political leadership; the other highlights his connection with the people.”
In today’s Nigeria we need leaders who understand high-level politics but are not imprisoned by it. A clear explanation of President Tinubu’s symbol, a broken chain of slavery. Where poverty of rationality remains in limbo. We need advisers who can navigate complex stakeholder dynamics without losing touch with the pain and aspirations of the people. We need a Waziri who is also Mai Jama’a.
It is absolutely true that Masari depicts this with all that is said in Samaila’s article. He depicts loyalty without sycophancy. He depicts strategy without arrogance. He depicts accessibility without losing authority. The same way he depicts engagement without scarcity.
He is a bridge-builder in an age of division, where weaker opponents misrepresent facts with fictions, vision with illusion, and hope with hype. A stabilizer in an age of noise, who clearly differentiates empty noise from real choices. A public servant who understands that titles are not for decoration, they are for duty. They are for selfless service to humanity.
While I concur with the author in all his submission, let me also join him in celebrating this well-thought and timely piece. It reminds us that in the midst of our national challenges, we still have men and women in government who embody service, humility, and competence.
Alhaji Masari, by all standard, is one of them. The President saw the Waziri in him. The First Lady saw the Mai Jama’a in him. The people are beginning to see both. His interventions to his people is invaluable. His faith in this administration is absolute. His hope is renewed. His effort in renewing people’s hope is rewarding and visibly engaging.
Samaila Bravo for explaining in a more clearer terms, Waziri and Mai Jama’a in Masari. A golden coin of two inseparable sides.
Abba Anwar writes from Kano