Abba Sayyadi Ruma

Former Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources (2007-10)

Place of Birth: Katsina

Commentary: Ruma was a key member of the K34 group, a group formed in Katsina by Umaru Musa Yar'Adua while he was governor of Katsina State. The group contributed money and strategy to Yar'Adua's campaigns, and were rewarded with choice appointments and contracts. Others members included Tanimu Yakubu and Ibrahim Sherma.
Ruma was convinced to join the group from the opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2003. He became a minister 4 years later, after Yar'Adua was elected president. In October 2009, along with the ministers of health and the environment, he was called in by the Senate to explain what happened to 26 billion naria earmarked to construct a dam.
He left office in March 2010 when Acting President Goodluck Jonathan dissolved cabinet.