By Ibrahim Salisu Abubakar
In the turbulent and often unpredictable terrain of Nigerian politics, some of the most influential figures are not the ones constantly in the limelight. Instead, they are the quiet strategists, the bridge-builders, and the trusted allies who work tirelessly behind the scenes to shape outcomes. Kabir Ibrahim Masari, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Political Matters, is one such figure.
A man of loyalty, discretion, and deep political reach, Masari has steadily built a reputation as one of the most trusted members of President Tinubu’s inner circle. His political journey and quiet influence tell the story of a strategist whose role is as crucial as it is understated.
Masari came into national prominence in 2022 during the countdown to the 2023 presidential elections when Tinubu appointed him as the placeholder vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Though an unusual arrangement in Nigerian politics, the decision highlighted the extraordinary level of trust Tinubu had in him. Only absolute loyalty, integrity, and personal conviction could have warranted such an appointment.
At a critical point in the campaign, when the opposition was fierce and internal challenges threatened Tinubu’s ambition, the candidate himself admitted that he contemplated withdrawing from the race. Masari, alongside a few confidants, played a pivotal role in persuading him to stay the course. Tinubu would later confess that Masari’s encouragement and firm counsel were instrumental in sustaining his candidacy, which eventually culminated in victory at the polls.
Since then, Masari has quietly entrenched himself as one of the administration’s key political stabilisers. His work has focused on consolidating party unity, strengthening Tinubu’s political base, and bridging divides across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Drawing on his experience as a former APC Welfare Secretary and member of the National Working Committee, Masari has cultivated an expansive network of allies that cuts across the country. These networks now serve as vital levers in resolving internal disputes within the party and ensuring cohesion in preparation for future elections.
A recent example of this was his intervention in Bauchi State, where rising tensions within the APC threatened party stability. Masari summoned stakeholders to a peace meeting that doused the hostilities and restored calm. His ability to reconcile factions, prioritising unity above personal interests, is now being replicated in other states where the party faces internal challenges.
Beyond party mediation, Masari has also been instrumental in working with northern governors and key political actors to align with the Tinubu administration’s vision. He is not only ensuring that the North remains politically united but is also building bridges with the South, an effort reminiscent of the coalition-building that secured Tinubu’s electoral triumph in 2023.
Analysts believe his current efforts are also laying the groundwork for the 2027 general elections, where maintaining a broad national coalition will be essential for the APC’s continued success.
What distinguishes Masari from many of his contemporaries is his approach to politics. Unlike others who thrive on visibility and publicity, Masari operates quietly, focusing on results rather than recognition. His discreet influence, exercised without noise or theatrics, has earned him respect across party lines.
For many, he is regarded as a man of integrity whose interventions are motivated not by personal ambition but by the need to safeguard the administration and the survival of the party.
His loyalty to President Tinubu has been unwavering. From his early days of advocating for Tinubu’s leadership to his grassroots mobilisation and strategic networking, Masari has consistently aligned himself with the president’s vision for Nigeria.
His story reflects the idea that political power is not always measured by titles or public visibility but often by the ability to guide, support, and sustain leaders during their most vulnerable moments.
Today, as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters, Masari’s wealth of political experience and his unmatched ability to mobilise support are assets that the Tinubu administration cannot afford to ignore. His behind-the-scenes influence continues to shape strategies, reconcile factions, and strengthen the political machinery that sustains the government.
As Nigeria edges closer to 2027, the role of trusted insiders will become even more important. In Masari, President Tinubu has not just a political adviser but a confidant, a strategist, and a loyal ally whose networks and insights remain indispensable. His quiet yet decisive influence ensures that he remains one of the most important figures in the president’s inner circle.
Masari may not be one of the loudest voices in Nigerian politics, but he is certainly one of its strongest hands that are steady, reliable, and ever-present in shaping outcomes that define the nation’s political direction.
Abubakar is a public affairs commentator and wrote from Gwammaja, Dala Local Government of Kano State
