Indabawa, born 1958 in Kano, was secretary of the presidential committee on national dialogue. He has a PhD in Political Philosophy from the University of Bristol, England. Indabawa was a lecturer at the Bayero University, Kano, 1984-1997, and worked at John Hopkins University Nigeria Office, Lagos, 1997-2001.

He was special adviser to the Kano State governor between 2001 and 2003 before moving to the Presidency, where he served as special adviser to Jonathan, when he was vice president. Indabawa was special adviser to the president on political matters between 2007 and 2011.

He was foundation member of the Peoples Redemption Party in the Second Republic and National Youth Leader of Peoples Democratic Party between 2005 and 2007.