Yahaya Idris Toto Writes Special Birthday Tribute to Nasarawa SSG, Dr. Shuaibu Labaran Magaji, SAN
Media commentator and former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yahaya Idris Toto, has penned a reflective birthday tribute to the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Shuaibu Labaran Magaji, SAN, popularly known as Matawalle Toto, recounting their political journey and offering candid observations on leadership, loyalty, and service to the people of Toto Local Government Area.
In his message dated July 1, 2026 to mark Magaji’s bithday anniversary, Yahaya recalled his close political association with Dr. Magaji between 2020 and 2022, particularly during the heated APC Nasarawa West Senatorial Primary Election held on June 4, 2022, at Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
According to him, Dr. Magaji contested against Arc. Shehu Tukur, who was widely perceived as the preferred government-backed candidate, allegedly enjoying support from powerful political figures, including a former governor and former national party chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Adamu as well fomer Miniter, Barr. Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi.
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Yahaya Toto noted that Ahmed Aliyu Wadada was initially expected to participate in the primary but tactically withdrew after discovering irregularities in delegate arrangements across four of the five local government areas, Karu, Keffi, Kokona and Nasarawa in the western district.
He argued that Wadada’s withdrawal should not be interpreted as cowardice, but rather as a strategic decision to avoid what he described as an unfair contest that could have drained resources without yielding justice.
He further revealed that at a time when many politicians were reluctant to openly align with Dr. Magaji due to the perceived influence of Tukur’s camp, Toto Local Government stood firmly behind Magaji through the former Speaker Balarabe, a bold decision that later cost him his office.
Yahaya credited former Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, for mobilizing the entire APC political structure in Toto to support Dr. Magaji against the preferred candidate of Senator Abdullahi Adamu and Barr. Abdullahi
Under Balarabe’s leadership, Toto delivered what Yahaya described as overwhelming support for Magaji.
He provided a breakdown of the primary results:
– Toto LGA: Magaji – 54 votes, Tukur – 6 votes
– Karu LGA: Magaji – 27 votes, Tukur – 28 votes
– Kokona LGA: Magaji – 28 votes, Tukur – 27 votes
– Keffi LGA: Magaji – 0 votes, Tukur – 50 votes
– Nasarawa LGA: Magaji – 5 votes, Tukur – 69 votes
Total Votes:
– Tukur – 174
– Magaji – 120
Following the exercise, Arc. Tukur was declared winner of the primary. Yahaya stated that Dr. Magaji challenged the result in court over alleged irregularities but ultimately lost the legal battle.
Reflecting on events after the 2023 general elections, Yahaya recalled that former Speaker Balarabe facilitated Dr. Magaji’s appointment as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Nasarawa State as part of efforts to pacify him over the senatorial lost.
He noted, however, that political tensions later emerged within party leadership circles, especially after Balarabe lost his third-term bid at the Court of Appeal.
Yahaya Toto said that after the dissolution of the state cabinet by Governor Abdullahi Sule, speculation quickly surfaced on facebook regarding Magaji’s ambition to become Secretary to the State Government.
Within a short period, Dr. Magaji was appointed SSG, a development Yahaya described as a fulfillment of destiny.
He also touched on disagreements during the Toto Local Government chairmanship selection process, revealing that Balarabe had pushed for Ugya Ward to produce the council chairman, his point was that the area had long been neglected, while opposing interests emerged by Magaji and his new friends, two serving members of Assembly from Toto LG and some people doing hide and seek.
Eventually, Pharmacist Ahmed Baba Yahaya was selected as a compromise candidate by the governor. Yahaya do not indicated to vie for the office but God use Gov Sule to annoint.
Yahaya further recounted internal disputes during APC executive elections in Toto, alleging that multiple factions submitted competing delegate list by Magaji and that a controversial list was eventually rejected after intervention by the governor through a complained logged by the former Speaker Balarabe, after we cried to him to help us, even when he openly told us has no interest on who became this and that in the party.
According to him, petitions and political consultations led to the annulment of the disputed executive list, paving the way for a fresh structure that now forms the current party leadership in Toto.
Despite his past support for Dr. Magaji, Yahaya said he had no personal grudge against the SSG but believes several political decisions taken since Magaji assumed office weakened his grassroots support and make him unpopular.
He argued that many loyalists who stood with Magaji during his senatorial ambition have drifted away, while some individuals who never supported him in difficult times now dominate his political circle.
Yahaya also expressed concern over recent political realignments involving Prince Nuhu Adamu Adauda, warning that political loyalty can be temporary.
He urged Dr. Magaji to focus on leaving behind tangible achievements for the people of Toto before the end of his tenure.
Drawing comparisons, Yahaya praised former Speaker Balarabe for facilitating major developmental projects in Toto, including the rehabilitation of the 48-kilometre Umaisha–Toto road, the upgrading of traditional institutions, and the appointment of indigenes into strategic government positions such as commissioners, advisers, and board members.
He challenged Dr. Magaji to deliver visible projects and lasting legacies that would directly benefit the Toto community.
“Former Speaker Balarabe has done his part and posterity will judge him. As we await your exit in 2027, it is my sincere prayer that you secure something tangible for Toto people,” he stated.
Yahaya extended warm birthday wishes to the SSG.
“Congratulations and happy birthday, Dr. Shuaibu Labaran Magaji, SAN. May God grant you wisdom and strength in service,” he said.
Signed:
Yahaya Idris Toto, the Oracle of New Media, Writer, Public Commentator, and Former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity
July 1, 2026
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JULY 1ST 2026)
