Attahiru Bafarawa
Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa
is a Nigerian politician who served as the executive governor of Sokoto State from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007.
Early career
He was a one-time local government councillor in charge of education. In 1979, he ran unsuccessfully for election to the House of Representatives on the platform of the Great Nigeria Peoples Party. He was a member of the National Constitutional Conference of 1994–1995, during the military rule of Sani Abacha. He was a founding member of the United Nigeria Congress Party in 1997 and the All People's Party in 1998.Governor of Sokoto State
In 1999, Bafarawa was elected governor of Sokoto State on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, and was re-elected for the ANPP in 2003. In March 2002, a Sharia court in Sokoto State freed a 35-year-old woman Safiya Hussaini, who had been sentenced to death by stoning after being found guilty of adultery. Nigeria's justice minister declared Sharia as unconstitutional. Bafarawa, however, said the Sharia states would not adhere to this declaration.Under the Bafarawa administration the state made significant improvements in the quality of roads. Schools were upgraded, and enrolment greatly improved due to assurances that all pupils would be taught morals and Islamic religion.