Mohammed Ashiru Isa

Mohammed Ashiru Isa, born on 23 October 1962 in Kudan Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, Nigeria, is a politician and businessperson holding the traditional title of Sarkin Bai of Zazzau Emirate.

He has served as a Member of the House of Representatives representing Kudan/Makarfi Federal Constituency from 2007 to 2015, and previously as a Member of Kaduna State House of Assembly for Kudan Constituency.

Ashiru attended primary school at LEA Primary School in Kudan (1968–1974) before proceeding to Kufena College Wusasa in Zaria for secondary education (1975–1980). He earned a National Diploma in Business Administration from Katsina Polytechnic (1982–1985), followed by an HND at Kaduna State Polytechnic (1987–1989).

He served as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSCO) corps member in Borno State (1990), later acquiring postgraduate qualifications, including a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from Bayero University Kano (2000–2001). His professional career includes roles at Kaduna State Ministry of Finance (1980–1982), Kaduna State Board of Internal Revenue (1985–1992), and Kaduna State Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism (1992–1997).

Ashiru has contested multiple times for local and state elective offices before his political ascent. He lost in chairmanship elections under the Zero Party (1996) and Social Democratic Party (SDP, 1997), as well as a House of Assembly bid under the Democratic People’s Party (DPN, 1998). His first successful election came in 1999 when he was elected to Kaduna State House of Assembly for Kudan Constituency under PDP. He was re-elected in 2003.

In federal politics, Ashiru served as a Member of the Federal House of Representatives from 2007 to 2015, representing Kudan/Makarfi Constituency. During this tenure, he chaired the House Committee on Appropriations. He left APC in 2014 after losing the gubernatorial primary and rejoined PDP in 2018.

His electoral history includes notable contests: In 2019, Ashiru ran for governor under PDP but lost to Nasir El-Rufai (APC), polling 814,168 votes (43.08%) against El-Rufai’s 1,045,427 votes (55.32%). His subsequent PDP gubernatorial bid in 2023 resulted in a loss of 719,196 votes.

Ashiru has faced legal challenges over alleged credential fraud and qualification disputes but was ultimately vindicated by courts, confirming his educational qualifications meet the minimum requirements for governance.