Ahmed Gulak was a Nigerian lawyer, politician, and former special adviser on political affairs to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan. He was born in Adamawa State and became a prominent figure in Nigerian politics before he was assassinated in Owerri, Imo State, on May 30, 2021.
What Was Ahmed Gulak’s Full Name and Background?
Ahmed Gulak’s full name is Barrister Ahmadu Ali Gulak. He practiced law and held Muslim faith. He was married with children and hailed from Adamawa State, Nigeria.
What Political Roles Did Gulak Hold Under the PDP?
Gulak built his early political career within the Peoples Democratic Party. He served in several key positions before eventually leaving the party. Examples include the following.
- Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly
- Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President
- Special Adviser on Political Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan
- National Coordinator of the Goodluck Support Group
Why Was Gulak Sacked by President Jonathan?
Gulak was sacked from his role as special adviser in April 2014 for undisclosed reasons. His dismissal followed an earlier public threat in 2013, when he said he would resign if Jonathan refused to run for president in the 2015 election.
Did Gulak Run for Governor?
Yes. Gulak declared his intention to run as Adamawa State governor in 2014 under the People’s Democratic Party platform.
What Happened With Gulak and the PDP National Chairmanship?
Gulak made a controversial move within the PDP in 2016. He stormed the PDP national secretariat in Abuja with his supporters and declared himself national chairman of the party. The National Working Committee of the PDP rejected this declaration and instead recognized Uche Secondus as acting chairman.
When Did Gulak Join the APC?
Gulak defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress in 2018. He explained his defection as support for the Buhari administration’s efforts toward degrading Boko Haram terrorists. He remained an APC chieftain until his death.
What Role Did Gulak Play in Imo State Politics?
Gulak became a prominent figure in Imo State’s political affairs following his APC defection. He served as chairman of the APC committee that conducted the party’s governorship primaries in Imo State in 2019.
What Bribery Allegation Did Gulak Make in 2019?
Gulak made headlines in 2019 over a bribery claim involving former Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha. He alleged that Okorocha offered him 2 million dollars to deliver a certificate of return to Okorocha’s preferred aspirant, Uche Nwosu. Gulak said he rejected the offer due to his integrity. Okorocha responded by describing Gulak as an enemy of democracy who should face legal consequences for his actions in Imo State.
How Did Ahmed Gulak Die?
Ahmed Gulak was shot dead by unknown gunmen on May 30, 2021, in Owerri, the capital of Imo State. He was attacked while traveling in his Toyota Camry, marked Texas BFT 2150, on his way to the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport. Two other people were with him at the time of the attack.
His death was first confirmed publicly by his classmate, Dr. Umar Ado, in a statement describing him by his former titles, including Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly and Special Adviser on Political Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan.
Why Was Gulak in Imo State When He Was Killed?
Reports at the time did not confirm the exact reason for Gulak’s visit. Unconfirmed sources suggested he had traveled to Imo State on the invitation of some Northern groups active in the state.
Who Was Responsible for Ahmed Gulak’s Killing?
Security investigations linked Gulak’s murder to members of the Eastern Security Network, the armed wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra. Multiple suspects were arrested in connection with the killing over the following two years.
Who Was the First Suspect Arrested?
Anosike Chimobi, a 38-year-old man from Umuedo in Ahiazu Mbaise local government area of Imo State, was arrested in June 2022. He confessed to being a member of IPOB and the Eastern Security Network. He claimed he was a commercial bus driver who was forced by gunmen to drive them to Gulak’s location, and he said the gunmen killed Gulak after he refused their demands.
Who Was Identified as the Gang Leader?
Chinwendu Nwagwu, also known as Onye Army, was arrested on December 25, 2022, at his family home in Nguru, Aboh Mbaise local government area of Imo State. He was a deserter from the Nigerian Army who joined in 2013 and left in 2021 before joining the Eastern Security Network. He confessed to leading the gang responsible for Gulak’s killing and rose to become a commander within the ESN, personally training more than 100 persons in IPOB.
Police recovered several weapons and items during his arrest. Examples include five pump-action guns, four locally made pistols, two cut-to-size double-barreled guns, 50 rounds of live cartridges, locally made hand grenades, and ESN regalia.
Ahmed Gulak Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Barrister Ahmadu Ali Gulak |
| State of origin | Adamawa State, Nigeria |
| Profession | Lawyer, politician |
| Former party | Peoples Democratic Party |
| Later party | All Progressives Congress |
| Key former roles | Speaker, Adamawa State House of Assembly; Special Adviser on Political Affairs to Goodluck Jonathan |
| Date of death | May 30, 2021 |
| Location of death | Owerri, Imo State |
| Cause of death | Shot by gunmen linked to IPOB/ESN |
| Key suspects arrested | Anosike Chimobi (2022), Chinwendu Nwagwu (December 2022) |
Final Summary
Ahmed Gulak rose from state-level politics in Adamawa to a national role as a close aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan before shifting his allegiance to the APC in his later years. His outspoken role in Imo State’s contentious party politics, including his public bribery allegation against Rochas Okorocha, kept him in the national spotlight. His assassination in 2021 became one of Nigeria’s most closely watched insecurity cases, with investigations tracing his killing to commanders within the Eastern Security Network.