Ahmed Rufai Sani Yerima (born July 22, 1960) is a Nigerian politician who served as the first civilian Governor of Zamfara State (1999–2007) and later as the Senator for Zamfara West (2007–2019). He is globally recognized—and remains highly controversial—for his decision in 2000 to introduce full Sharia law in Zamfara, a move that triggered similar adoptions across 11 other northern Nigerian states.
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Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Ahmed Rufai Sani Yerima |
| Born | July 22, 1960, Anka, Zamfara State |
| Former Office | Governor of Zamfara State (1999–2007); Senator (2007–2019) |
| Political Party | All Progressives Congress (APC) |
| Key Legacy | Implementation of Sharia Law in Northern Nigeria |
| Current Status | Elder Statesman; Party Chieftain in the APC |
The Sharia Legacy and Controversy
Yerima’s political identity is inextricably linked to the religious legal system he pioneered:
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Sharia Implementation: On January 27, 2000, Yerima officially signed Sharia into law in Zamfara. While it was met with immense popularity among the state’s Muslim majority, it sparked national riots and intense legal debates over its constitutionality in a secular state.
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Child Marriage Allegations: Yerima has faced repeated international condemnation for his marriage to a 13-year-old Egyptian girl in 2010. He has consistently defended his actions by citing Islamic jurisprudence, despite the Nigerian Child Rights Act of 2003, leading to ongoing debates about the intersection of federal law and religious custom.
Current Status (January 2026)
As of January 6, 2026, Ahmed Sani Yerima remains a powerful background player in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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Fire Incident at Abuja Residence: In mid-December 2025, Yerima’s residence on Nelson Mandela Street in Asokoro, Abuja, was gutted by a major fire. The blaze, reportedly started by solar panels on the roof, destroyed four flats. Fortunately, no lives were lost, but the event brought the former governor back into the national news cycle as emergency teams from the Federal Fire Service battled the flames.
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The “Yerima Dynasty”: His political influence is now being carried forward by his son, Hon. Ahmad Sani Muhammad. As of early 2026, the younger Yerima is serving his first term in the 10th House of Representatives, representing the Bakura/Maradun Federal Constituency in Zamfara under the APC banner.
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Elder Statesman Role: Having stepped down from his 2023 presidential ambitions to support the party’s eventual winner, Yerima is currently viewed as a “kingmaker” in Zamfara politics. He frequently hosts political delegations and is consulted on matters of regional security and religious policy in the North.
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Anti-Corruption Status: In late 2025, his long-standing legal battle with the ICPC (regarding a ₦1 billion loan diversion during his governorship) remains in the appeal stage. While a State High Court previously acquitted him, the anti-graft agency continues to challenge the ruling, making it one of the longest-running corruption cases in the country’s database.