Abba Musa Rimi (1940 – 2010) was a Nigerian politician who served as the first elected Governor of Kaduna State during the Second Republic (1979-1983). A prominent member of the People's Redemption Party (PRP), he initially served as Deputy Governor before assuming the governorship following the impeachment of Governor Balarabe Musa in June 1981. Rimi later held various ministerial positions at the federal level and was elected Senator for the Katsina Central constituency.
Early Life and Education
Abba Musa Rimi was born in 1940. While specific details about his early life and formal education are not widely documented, he became an influential figure in the political landscape of northern Nigeria, particularly during the transition from military to civilian rule in the late 1970s.Political Career
Second Republic
With the advent of the Second Republic in 1979, Abba Musa Rimi was elected Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, running on the platform of the People's Redemption Party (PRP) alongside the charismatic Governor Balarabe Musa. The PRP administration in Kaduna State was characterized by its progressive and populist policies, which often led to confrontations with the National Party of Nigeria (NPN)-dominated state House of Assembly.In June 1981, Governor Balarabe Musa was controversially impeached by the state assembly. Consequently, Abba Musa Rimi automatically succeeded him as Governor of Kaduna State. He served in this capacity until December 1983, when a military coup led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari brought an end to the Second Republic and all civilian administrations. During his tenure as governor, Rimi sought to continue the reformist agenda of the PRP amidst significant political challenges.
Post-Second Republic
Following the return to democratic rule in Nigeria in 1999, Abba Musa Rimi remained active in politics. He served in various capacities at the federal level, including:- Minister of State for Education
- Minister of State for Industries
In 2003, he was elected Senator representing the Katsina Central constituency on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). He served a four-year term in the Senate, contributing to legislative debates and representing the interests of his constituents until 2007.