Dr. Gbenga Hashim, the presidential candidate of the Accord Party, has disclosed that his late father, Alhaji Hashim Abdullahi Yauri, deliberately kept his royal heritage a secret from him for almost three decades. According to Hashim, his father's decision was influenced by an Islamic cleric who warned him about potential dangers within the royal family. This revelation was made in an interview, where Hashim shared his extraordinary family story.
Hashim, who is the grandson of the 40th Sarki Yauri, revealed that he was raised in the Borgu Emirate under a different identity. Born Abdulmalik in 1969 in Yelwa, Yauri, he grew up in a Yoruba cultural environment, largely removed from his Hausa traditions and royal connections. His father, a young police officer at the time, later relocated and raised him with his stepfather, Julius Bamidele Olawepo.
Hashim's father, Alhaji Hashim Abdullahi Yauri, was a highly influential police officer who rose to become a Police Commissioner and Commandant of the Police College, Kaduna. He was popularly known as "Zaki" the Lion, a nickname that reflected his courage, discipline, strength, and commanding personality. Hashim paid tribute to his late father, who was widely respected across Northern Nigeria.
The story of Hashim's identity is detailed in Chapter 13 of his forthcoming autobiography, Sunrise At Midnight. The chapter provides an account of his childhood, his father's decision, and the eventual discovery of his heritage that had been deliberately kept from him. Hashim's account also delves into the history of his paternal family, including his grandfather, Seriki Abdullahi Jibril, popularly known as Maiy Yauri.
Seriki Jibril, the 40th ruler of Yauri, was distinguished by his knowledge of finance and trade, financial prudence, transparency, and commitment to education. Hashim described his grandfather as one of the prominent traditional rulers of Northern Nigeria in his era, who combined traditional authority with modern education, administration, and commerce.
Hashim and his siblings recently marked the 30th anniversary of their father's passing with commemorative advertisements in major Nigerian newspapers. For Hashim, the story of his father is inseparable from the story of his own identity. The father who kept his royal lineage secret was also a man who carried a formidable reputation in public service.
As the Accord Party presidential candidate, Hashim's revelation about his family's secret provides a glimpse into his background and upbringing. His story highlights the complexities of identity, family, and tradition in Nigeria. With his autobiography set to be published soon, Hashim's life story is expected to inspire and intrigue many.
Key points
- Dr. Gbenga Hashim's father hid his Hausa royal identity for 3 decades due to safety concerns.
- Hashim was raised in a Yoruba cultural environment, largely removed from his Hausa traditions and royal connections.
- Hashim's father, Alhaji Hashim Abdullahi Yauri, was a highly influential police officer who was widely respected across Northern Nigeria.
