Late Honourable Muhammadu Usman Ankwe, considered among the new breed politicians in the present political dispensation rose from a Hajj Guide, was later discovered to have the capacity for Chairmanship of Zuru local government area
Having performed creditably well to the satisfaction of the political party stakeholders, Ankwe was appointed a commissioner by Governor Sa’idu Nasamu Dakingari and at the same time conferred with the traditional title of Liffidan by the late Emir of Zuru Major-General Muhammadu Sani Sami Gomo ll.
In the build-up to the 2023 general elections, late Usman Ankwe was noted for being a politician committed to the unity, peaceful coexistence, and development, therefore, endorsed by the community leaders to contest for the membership of the state House of Assembly and eventually recorded a landslide victory at the general elections to become the representative of Zuru local government constituency.
Soon after the inauguration of the legislature, the 24- member House of Assembly, apparently conversant with his enviable track record of service, unanimously elected Honourable Muhammad Usman Ankwe to be the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
The compatibility of Comrade Governor Nasir Idris and Rt. Honourable Muhammad Ankwe had undoubtedly facilitated the rapid socio-economic development of the state in all sectors and promoted cordiality of the relationship between the two arms governments.
At a point in time, Late Ankwe’s led legislature was alleged to be a rubber-stam of the Executive in view of the regular and timely passage of the Executive bills being presented for the execution towards achieving Comrade Governor Nasir Idris’s urban renewal programme.
Responding to such allegations at media briefing, Late Usman Ankwe said ” if mobilising honourable members to support His Excellency Comrade Nasir Idris’s administration’s developmental programmes can be called rubber- stamp legislature so be it, i have no regret”
That almost cost him his seat as an attempt was made by some members to impeach him as the speaker.
At the home front, late Usman Ankwe had demonstrated undisputable commitment to improving the well-being of the people of his constituents.
Among his remarkable achievements included the construction of a considerable number of inter-community bridges, provision and rehabilitation of boreholes, electricity transformers, and monthly allowances of between N5000 and N10,000 for the vulnerable, the aged and widows across his constituency regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation.
It was also common knowledge that Late had provided full-backing for Comrade Governor Nasir Idris’s determination to ensure the reconstruction of the dilapidated and abandoned Koko-Zuru federal road. To those unaware, it was Usman Ankwe that accompanied Comrade Governor Nasir Idris to a visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with visual video clip of the hardship being encountered by the people of Zuru emirate resulting from the abandonment, which resulted to the revocation of the road project contract and subsequent handover to the state government as requested.
Also worth noting was the courageous effort made by late Usman Ankwe in changing the narrative of an unfortunate attitude of bring-down syndrome engaged by some politicians in Zuru Emirate who derives pleasure in requesting the previous Governors to remove from office, civil servants and political office holders of Zuru emirate for their personal interest.
On the contrary, Late Usman Ankwe, who enjoyed unrestricted access to the Governor, was known for undertaking several visits to the governor in pursuance of the rights of his constituents for either appointment or fair share of project allocation.
Comrade Governor Nasir Idris has been expressing appreciation for the unmeasurable support of the late speaker, the situation that fast tracked the achievements of his administration within the last three years.
In his condolence message, Comrade Nasir Idris described the late Speaker as “a committed lawmaker, outstanding leader whose devotion, humility, wisdom and dedication to the service of Kebbi State distinguished him as a true democrat and patriot”
Late Muhammad Usman Ankwe died at an Egypt hospital on Monday, 6th April, 2026. He was survived by his wife and five children.
May Allah SWT grant him eternal rest.
Abdullahi Idris Saudakin Zuru, Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to Kebbi StateGovernor.