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Untold Story of the Gov. Mala Buni and Gumsu Abacha Wedding

Published

5 years ago

April 16, 2021

Eric

By Michael Effiong

Slightly over two years after her 20 year-old marriage crashed, drop dead gorgeous Gumsu Fatima Abacha has found love again!

The second daughter of late dictator, General Sani Abacha has sent tongues wagging with her recent hush hush wedding to Yobe State Governor and Caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mai Mala Buni.

Fondly called Tutupie by family and close friends, Gumsu’s wedding has been in the realm of speculations for months until it was confirmed when a Wedding Fatiha was hosted at the home of Mohammed Abacha, the bride’s elder brother.

The soft-spoken groom is a taciturn, media-shy gentleman, who does not court attention, but marrying into the Abacha family, especially picking a glamorous and popular woman like Gumsu, was certainly bound to attract the media-and the couple, in the past few days, have become “THE NEWS”.

Despite holding a public office, Governor Buni has not said a word about the wedding and Gumsu, who is fond of posting personal milestones on her Instagram page, has not written about this latest development in her life. The the only evidence of her new status is that she has changed her instagram handle to now read: Gumsu Abacha M.M. Buni

Those who know Gumsu are surprised that she has taken another shot at matrimony especially as she may have been emotionally hurt by her previous wedding to top Cameroonian businessman and politician, Mohamadou Bayero Fadil.

That 1999 wedding was one that brought so much joy to the Abacha family because it came at the period the family was trying to come to terms with the death of their patriarch.

As expected, Bayero, who is from Garoua, Northern Cameroun and Gumsu, from Kano, Nigeria were inseparable. They were always spotted in Doula, Abuja or Kano. The couple also spent quite some time in France and Turkey.

In 2000, they took their love story an extra notch when Gumsu was delivered of a lovely baby girl at the famous American Hospital in Paris, France.

Our Sister publication, OVATION INTERNATIONAL captured that momentous moment in the Abacha family because the new baby became the family’s first grand child.

According to Ovation” Gumsu was delivered of the baby by her acclaimed doctor, Dr. Tibi Charles. Their bundle of joy arrived thirty-nine weeks into her pregnancy and ten months after their celebrated wedding.

“Gumsu said in a telephone interview with our London office “Bayero looked confused, scared and concerned because he did not want to lose me or the baby”

“He had flown in from Cameroon that very morning. He spent another four days before going back. As soon as the delivery took place, Bayero telephoned Kano and broke the news to Gumsu’s sister, Mrs Zainab Dalhatu and mum, Hajia Maryam Abacha and in-law, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu. An elated family congratulated the Fadils, one after the other.

When Hajia Maryam heard her daughter’s voice on the other end of the line she said “Congrats…Alhamdullilah”.

“Asked why Paris, Gumsu explained that France is like her husband’s second home, and he has a lot of business interests in Paris”

“Also, the Bayero family patronize American Hospital and usually stay at Le Meridien Hotel, Paris, but because of the new baby, they had to rent a service apartment.

“She ate her favourite meal of jollof rice and fried plantain and mangoes, which she brought from Cameroun. She also ate a lot of salads and drank a lot juices”

“The baby was named Maryam after her maternal grand mother and given a second name, Sultana, suggesting royalty.” After this bundle of joy arrived, the couple cemented their love with four more children.

Therefore, many where shocked when news broke that Gumsu and Bayero Fadil had parted ways due to irreconcilable differences.

Though the December 2019 divorce was not public, but the cat was let out of the bag when Gumsu changed her name on social media and Bayero also edited his Wikipedia profile.

Insiders have revealed to The Boss that though the divorce was painful, they are not bitter enemies, in fact, we gathered that the Abacha family reportedly broke the news of Gumsu’s new marriage directly to Bayero by sending him a video of the wedding ceremony.

Though we did not know how this romance began, we are told that Gumsu, 47, who is opinionated, bold and blessed with beauty and brains, has been swept off her feet and truly in love with Governor Buni ,who is in his early 50s has no qualms about being wife No.4

The Boss gathered that the love between the pair is mutual and they are also very fond of each other.

On his part, Governor Buni will be glad that he has added Gumsu to his family. Before now, he had married a third wife, Ummi Adama Geidam, daughter of the gentleman he succeeded as Yobe State Governor now Senator Ibrahim Geidam.

Many believed this marriage had a political undertone as Geidam had already indicated to all that he wanted to hand over to Buni, who was APC National Secretary at the time.

The wedding Fatiha was simple.It was an Islamic affair that was attended by friends of both families including Col. Hamid Ali, Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Basheer Garba Lado, Rt Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Abdullahi Maikano.. Sheikh Daurawa among others

The union of the couple and their families was sealed with prayers coordinated by Islamic clerics.

This particular wedding can be described as the quietest event in the Abacha Household in recent memory.

Gumsu with husband, Governor Mai Mala Buni

The Abacha are not known to have subtle parties. They love celebrating their events in extra special and glamorous ways. In 2002, when Mohammed Abacha married his first wife, Fatima in Kaduna and Kano, it was a carnival.

The wedding Fathia was attended by such personalities as Former President, General Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd) and wife, Maryam, Jigawa State Governor, Saminu Turaki, Senator Diasy Danjuma, Ireti Kingibe and Laila Dogonyaro among many others.

When his brother, Mahmud also got married in 2013, the wedding reception at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja was filled with celebrated Nigerians including Mrs Ajoke Murtala-Mohammed, Mrs Aisha Buhari, Prince Nasir Ado Bayero, Governor Seriake Dickson, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, and many others.

Maybe because of COVID-19 or the simple and quiet nature of the groom, the wedding ceremony of Gumsu and Governor Mala Buni did not follow this usual Abacha-style pattern, it was understated without any razzmatazz.

The Abachas in Year 2000: Zainab, Hajia Maryam, Rekiya and Gumsu

That not withstanding, we gathered that the day was successfully executed as planned, and the love birds are glad that it went well and they can now officially call each other husband and wife!

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Obasanjo Knocks Tinubu’s Govt over Inability to Protect Lives, Property

Published

3 days ago

April 27, 2026

Eric

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has lambasted the administration of President Bola Tinubu over insecurity bedeviling the country.

In an interview with News Central, Obasanjo said any government that cannot protect lives and property of its citizens has no basis to exist.

The former leader was reacting to the recent wave of insecurity, which has confronted Nigeria, resulting in the killing of several citizens and abduction of others.

“Let me tell you, the government that cannot give security of life and property of its citizen has no right of existence.

“The elected members of our National Assembly have no right to fix their own salary and their own emolument.

“It’s not in our constitution for them to do that. It’s the revenue mobilization and allocation commission that should do it,” he said.

Headline

2027: NDC Woos Obi, Kwankwaso with Presidential Ticket

Published

3 days ago

April 27, 2026

Eric

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has offered its presidential ticket to Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 elections, signaling intensifying efforts to forge a united opposition as key political deadlines approach.

In a post on X on Sunday, the party indicated a two-week window for both politicians, currently linked to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to defect and secure its platform’s presidential ticket.

“All we need right now. Just all we need. Two weeks to deadline,” the NDC said, accompanying the message with an image of Obi and Kwankwaso and the caption: “Nigeria will be OK.”

The development comes amid renewed calls for opposition consolidation ahead of the next general elections. Supporters of both men recently launched the “OK Movement”, aimed at mobilising support for a possible joint ticket.

Organisers of the movement have begun setting up national, zonal and State structures, suggesting early groundwork for a broader political alliance.

However, the ADC is currently grappling with internal divisions that could affect its participation in the elections. The party is facing a leadership crisis, with competing factions contesting control of its structure.

The dispute is now before the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which has reserved judgment in an appeal arising from the leadership tussle.

The uncertainty comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) maintains its timetable for the 2027 polls, setting May 30, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to submit membership registers and nominate candidates.

Opposition parties, including factions of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have called for an extension of the timeline, arguing that the schedule is too tight given ongoing internal restructuring and legal disputes.

The NDC’s offer highlights the shifting dynamics within Nigeria’s opposition landscape, where alliances remain fluid and negotiations are ongoing.

Both Obi and Kwankwaso are influential political figures with significant regional support bases, and any alignment between them could reshape the balance of power ahead of the elections.

INEC has yet to indicate whether it will adjust its timetable, as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum.

Headline

Atiku Raises Alarm over Alleged Plot to Disenfranchise Northern Voters

Published

3 days ago

April 26, 2026

Eric

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concern over reports that the Senate is considering the suspension of political campaigns in eight Northern states under the pretext of rising insecurity.

Atiku, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described the development as deeply troubling and fraught with dangerous implications for Nigeria’s democracy.

He noted that while insecurity remains a serious national challenge that must be confronted decisively, it must never become a convenient justification for undermining constitutional rights or selectively restricting democratic participation.

“Let it be clearly stated: the right to vote and participate in the electoral process is fundamental and cannot be abridged under any guise. Any attempt—whether deliberate or disguised—to suppress political activities in parts of Northern Nigeria raises legitimate concerns about disenfranchisement,” Atiku said.

The Waziri Adamawa recalled that credible intelligence had earlier pointed to possible plans to weaken electoral participation in key Northern states, warning that recent developments appear to be lending credence to those fears.

“This is not merely about campaigns; it is about representation, inclusion, and the integrity of our democratic process. You cannot cure insecurity by silencing the voices of the people. Democracy must not become a casualty of government failure,” he added.

The former Vice President stressed that the people of Northern Nigeria, like all Nigerians, deserve both security and full participation in the democratic process — not one at the expense of the other.

He added that it is the responsibility of government to provide security for its citizens, while it remains the duty of citizens to freely exercise their civic rights without fear, intimidation, or unlawful restriction.

“At a time when citizens are already battling hardship and insecurity, the least the government can do is to guarantee their right to be heard — not to restrict it. Any policy that creates the impression of targeted exclusion will only deepen distrust and national division,” he warned.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, and the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately clarify their position and reassure Nigerians that no region will be denied its constitutional rights.

“Nigeria must never descend into a situation where elections are shaped by exclusion, fear, or administrative manipulation. The consequences of such actions are far-reaching and better imagined than experienced,” Atiku cautioned.

He urged all stakeholders to uphold the principles of fairness, equity, and national unity, emphasising that democracy must remain inclusive, transparent, and credible across every part of the country.