About Sabo Bakin Zuwo
Lived 1934 – 1989 (aged 54). Sabo Bakin Zuwo was a Nigerian politician.
Aliyu Sabo Bakin Zuwo (December 31, 1934 – February 15, 1989) was a Nigerian politician of the People's Redemption Party (PRP). He was a Senator in the Second Nigerian Republic and was elected governor of Kano State in October 1983, holding office briefly until the military coup on 31 December 1983 that brought General Muhammadu Buhari to power.
Background Zuwo's origins could be traced to Barebari from Kanem–Bornu Empire where his ancestors migrated to Kano, where he was born and raised. His father's name is Abubakar, his grand father's name is Yusuf and his great-grandfather's name is Ibrahim; his mother Salamatu is from Gunduwawa in Minjibir Local Government.
Early political career He had no formal education, but said that he attended "Mallam Aminu Kano Political School, Sudawa, Kano." Zuwo enrolled himself at the age of sixteen at Shahuchi Primary School Adult Literacy Class in 1950 to 1954; among his tutors was Maitama Sule. Zuwo also attended Igbo Community School Sabon Gari Kano and a course on Local Government administration at the Institute of Administration Kongo Campus of Ahmadu Bello University. He missed the opportunity to acquire western education at an early age but was able to acquire a little of it when he became an adult. In the run-up to the Second Republic, Zuwo, an outspoken politician, was said to had made effective use of the radio more than any other politician in Northern Nigeria. Elected to the Senate in 1979, Zuwo sponsored more bills than any other senator. One of Zuwo's first acts as governor was to remove all the Emir's installed by Rimi. In a popular gesture, he closed down the Palace Cinema in Kano, which had become a venue for young men to take drugs and engage in sex, and converted it to a clinic.
Corruption He was arrested by the military regime of General Muhammadu Buhari which came to power in a coup on 31 December 1983. In 1985, a Special Military Tribunal found him guilty of three charges and sentenced him to 23 years in jail for each offence but they would run concurrently.
Death He died in 1989. Before his death he had aligned with the People's Front of Nigeria led by General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua together with some Kano State politicians, such as his deputy Governor Wada Abubakar, Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila, and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
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Important facts
People in Sabo Bakin Zuwo's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Sabo Bakin Zuwo's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Sabo Bakin Zuwo?
Nigerian politician (1934-1989)
When was Sabo Bakin Zuwo born?
Sabo Bakin Zuwo was born on 31 December 1934 in Kano.
When did Sabo Bakin Zuwo die?
Sabo Bakin Zuwo died on 15 February 1989 in Kano (city).
What was Sabo Bakin Zuwo's occupation?
Sabo Bakin Zuwo was a politician.
What nationality was Sabo Bakin Zuwo?
Sabo Bakin Zuwo was Nigerian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Sabo Bakin Zuwo. https://biography.guide/sabo-bakin-zuwo/
MLA: "Sabo Bakin Zuwo." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/sabo-bakin-zuwo/.
Chicago: "Sabo Bakin Zuwo." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/sabo-bakin-zuwo/.
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