Engr. Umar Abdullahi Umar, currently serving as the Executive Director of Technical Services at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), happens to be the son of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who presently chairs the All Progressives Congress (APC).
President Bola Tinubu recently handpicked Umar to join the new management team at REA, following the indefinite suspension of the agency’s previous leadership, led by Ahmad Salihijo.
Salihijo, appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, faced suspension along with three other directors under his tenure: Olaniyi Alaba Netufo, in charge of Corporate Services; Barka Sajou, overseeing Technical Services; and Sa’adatu Balgore, responsible for the Rural Electrification Fund (REF).
Tinubu, in his move to restructure REA, appointed Aliyu Abubakar to replace Salihijo, along with three other new Executive Directors, including Ganduje’s son.
The additional appointees are: Ayoade Gboyega, appointed to oversee Corporate Services; and Doris Uboh, entrusted with the Rural Electrification Fund (REF).
In addition to these changes, Tinubu ordered a comprehensive probe into the activities of the former REA management, particularly focusing on alleged financial irregularities totaling over N1.2 billion in the past two years. Some of the misused funds have reportedly been recovered by anti-corruption agencies.
Engr. Umar, the newly appointed Technical Director at REA, had previously been involved in the 2023 elections. Initially eyeing a seat in the House of Representatives after his father withdrew from the senate race, he secured the APC ticket for the Dawakin Tofa/Tofa/Rimin Gado constituency. However, he ultimately lost to Hon Tijjani Jobe from the New Nigerian Peoples Party.
With a background at the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Engr. Umar shares a close bond with his father and actively contributed to the Tinubu/Shettima campaign, particularly within the youth wing.
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