Alkali is Jonathan’s new political adviser

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has appointed Professor Rufa’i Alkali as his new special adviser on political affairs.

Alkali (pictured), from Gombe State, is the immediate past national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He was lecturer at the Nigerian Defence Academy and was once commissioner for agriculture in his home state.

In 2012, he took part in a shadow primary to pick the national chairman of the party from the north-east but he was unsuccessful.

Eventually, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was favoured by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The professor of political science was appointed Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna last year.

He now takes over from Alhaji Ahmed Gulak who was fired as political adviser to the president in April.

The president has also appointed Hajia Baraka Sani as his senior special sssistant for Schools’ Agriculture Programme.

Sani was until recently the Kano State commissioner for agriculture.

Presidential spokesman Dr Reuben Abati made the announcements in a statement on Thursday.

The increased tempo in appointments is seen as a preparation for the 2015 elections in which the president is expected to run.

On Wednesday, he nominated four new ministers, including the former governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.