Sa’idu Ahmad Alkali, born on February 12, 1969, is a prominent Nigerian politician renowned for his tenure as the Senator representing Gombe North senatorial district. First elected in 2010, Alkali’s political trajectory has been punctuated by electoral highs and lows. Nonetheless, his unwavering commitment to public service stands out, establishing him as a unifying figure across various political aisles and cementing his legacy in Nigeria’s political arena.
In August 2010, Alkali stepped into the limelight during by-elections for the Gombe North senatorial district seat following the unfortunate demise of Senator Kawu Peto Dukku. Riding on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket, Alkali won and was re-elected in the 2011 general elections. He maintained his senatorial seat in both the 2015 and 2019 elections under the banner of APC.
However, 2023 saw a reversal of fortunes. Ex-Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo unseated Sen. Alkali in a riveting political rematch – a throwback to when Alkali defeated Dankwambo in 2019.
Delving deeper into his background, Alkali, aside from his political accomplishments, is known by the honorary title of Sarkin Gabas Dukku. A graduate with a Bachelor’s in Economics, he dedicated his life to public service. He served as the information commissioner during Governor Danjuma Goje’s administration. His selection as the PDP’s consensus candidate post the passing of Kawu Peto Dukku in April 2010 was rooted in his native ties to the Dukku Local Government Area – a decision met with mixed reactions within the party.
Reflecting on the 2011 general elections, Alkali, representing the PDP, clinched a commendable 136,850 votes, leaving behind Mu’azu Umar Babagoro of the CPC with 81,519 votes and Engineer Abdullahi Sa’ad Abubakar of the ANPP with 36,427 votes.
Adding another feather to his cap, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed him Minister of Transportation on August 16, 2023.
