Alhaji Muhammadu Dikko Yusufu, fondly known as MD Yusufu or MD Yusuf, left an indelible mark on Nigeria as a distinguished policeman, Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Force, public servant, and politician. Born on November 10, 1931, he traversed through various spheres of influence until his passing on April 1, 2015.
Yusufu’s educational journey saw him attend the Institute of Administration, Zaria in 1954, and later, the University of Oxford, where he received training as an administrative officer.
His professional career kicked off at the Katsina Native Authority, where he served as Assistant District Officer in Ilorin Province from 1949 to 1954. Yusufu’s ascent within the Nigerian Police Force culminated in his appointment as Inspector General, a role he fulfilled from 1975 to 1979, spanning the military administrations of Generals Murtala Mohammed and Olusegun Obasanjo.
Beyond law enforcement, Yusufu’s influence extended to the corporate arena, notably as chairman of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in 1994. However, his tenure was not devoid of controversy, as allegations of breaches of commercial confidentiality surfaced during a bidding process involving a consortium led by Halliburton’s KBR subsidiary.
Political ambition beckoned Yusufu, leading to the establishment of the Movement for Democracy and Justice in 1998. Subsequently, he contested the presidential elections in 1999 and 2003 under its banner, although success eluded him. Nevertheless, his political foray yielded notable results, with the party securing significant councilor seats across several states during the 1998 local government elections.
Yusufu’s political affiliations traversed various ideological landscapes, from his early involvement with the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) and the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) to his membership in the People’s Redemption Party during the second republic.
Amidst electoral challenges and political upheavals, Yusufu remained steadfast in his convictions. He vocally contested the outcome of the April 2003 elections alongside Muhammadu Buhari, challenging President Obasanjo’s victory. However, he also advocated for peaceful acceptance of defeat among unsuccessful candidates.
In his later years, Yusufu continued to engage in socio-political discourse, critiquing decisions such as President Obasanjo’s grant of asylum to deposed Liberian president Charles Taylor in November 2003.
Alhaji Muhammadu Dikko Yusufu’s life epitomized a blend of service, ambition, and controversy, leaving an enduring legacy in Nigeria’s law enforcement, corporate, and political spheres.
