Category: Politics

By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.

Prior to the forthcoming bye elections in some kano House of assembly constituencies, NNPP chieftain Dr. Saleh Musa Wailare has urged the electorates to vote New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) for more democratic dividend through institutional cooperation between the executive and legislative arms.

He made the call in a chat with journalists in Kano, adding that NNPP has come to bring genuine change in the state especially at present when the political shape in the state is warming up for the betterment of livelihood at both rural and urban communities with optimum results.

Dr. Wailare disclosed that ” His excellency governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is making good efforts to ensure that Kano is developed to an examplary state because he remained committed to bring more programmes and projects that are important to the people of all categories, therefore I am optimistic that voting NNPP would add more determination to the progress of our great success”. He concluded.

The Supreme Court has upheld the victory of Adamu Fintiri in the Adamawa State governorship election, dismissing the appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Fintiri as the winner of the March 18 governorship election and the supplementary poll held on April 16, 2023. Despite a conflicting declaration by the Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Ari, INEC nullified Ari’s announcement, leading to his arrest.

The lower courts, including the Adamawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, had earlier upheld Fintiri’s victory, deeming the appeals by Binani and the Social Democratic Party’s candidate, Umar Ardo, as lacking merit.

In the Supreme Court’s lead judgment delivered by John Okoro, he emphasized that Binani’s appeal lacked merit. The court also criticized the conduct of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Ari, for declaring Binani as the winner, calling it irresponsible and criminal. Okoro clarified that the exclusive authority to announce election results lies with the Returning Officer, not the REC.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that a total of 4,613,197 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) have been collected by voters in preparation for the rerun and by-elections scheduled for February 3.

According to information shared by INEC on its official Twitter handle, voters have obtained 2,189,171 PVCs for the by-elections and 2,424,026 PVCs for the rerun elections.

In addition to the PVC collection, INEC is set to deploy no less than 8,500 Bimodal Voters Authentication System devices and over 35,000 ad-hoc staff to ensure a smooth electoral process.

The upcoming elections include by-elections in two senatorial districts (Ebonyi South, Ebonyi State, and Yobe East, Yobe State), three state constituencies (Chibok State Constituency – Borno State, Chikun State Constituency – Kaduna State, and Guma State Constituency – Benue State), and four federal constituencies (Akoko North East/Akoko North-West Federal Constituency – Ondo State; Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency – Taraba State; Surulere 1 Federal Constituency – Lagos State; and Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency – Kebbi State).

The rerun elections, as ordered by the court, will take place in one senatorial district of Plateau Central and 13 federal constituencies across various states, including Lagos, Kebbi, Ondo, Taraba, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Sokoto, Anambra, Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, and Yobe.

State constituencies where rerun elections will be held include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

Usman Ododo, the winner of the 2023 governorship election in Kogi State, has officially been sworn in as the state governor. A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ododo took the oath of office in Lokoja, the state capital, on Saturday.

The swearing-in ceremony marks the transition from his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, whose second term in office has concluded. Usman Ododo, having secured victory on November 11, 2023, assumed the role as the 5th Executive Governor of Kogi State.

Administered by the state Chief Judge, Justice Joseph Majebi, the oath of office took place at precisely 2:30 p.m. Usman Ododo’s deputy, Salifu Oyibo, also took the oath of office during the ceremony.

Ododo emerged victorious in the election with 446,237 votes, surpassing his closest rival, Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party, who secured 259,052 votes. Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party received 46,362 votes.

Following the presentation of his certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission, Ododo reassured the people that he would fulfill his campaign promises, building on the achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello while prioritizing the unity of the state.

Expressing gratitude to his predecessor, Ododo presented an award of service, the Grand Conference Silver Service Star, to Yahaya Bello. The ceremony, held at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre in Lokoja, was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC Chairman Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje.

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

Traditional rulers in Kogi state have been charged to ensure peace and security of lives and property in their domains.

The outgoing governor of Kogi state Alhaji Yahaya Bello gave the charge on Friday in Lokoja while presenting staff of office to the newly appointed Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammadu Kabir Maikarfi 1V.

Governor Bello who also presented the staff of office to Maiyaki of Kupa, Alhaji Dauda Kabir Isah in Lokoja on Friday commended indigenes of Lokoja and Kupa for the peaceful conduct displayed during the selection processes of their new monarchs.

He charged the traditional rulers to sustain peace, unity and cohesion while urging them to galvanize all the people together and expect prosperity, growth safety and security.

Governor Bello narrated that within the last 8 years, God gave him a very unique opportunity to oversee the installation of more than 6 paramount rulers without any rancour and disagreement and such an event happened in all the three senatorial districts of the state.

He added that throughout these periods several insinuations circulated over some of the vacant positions which the government was able to navigate through and resolve amicably.

He thanked the people of Lokoja who have given his government the support through out his years of leadership, adding that his successor would build on the foundations his government has laid.

He urged the newly installed royal fathers to give their overwhelming support to the administration of the governor-elect which according to him is a continuation of his administration, assuring that, he would always render helping hands towards the development of Kogi state.

The newly installed Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir Markarfi IV, who gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the traditional rulers, thanked God almighty, the governor of the state and all those who have made the day a reality.

He promised to pay attention to promoting, security, safety, tourism and contributing maximally to the urbanisation plan of the state capital, Lokoja.

He pointed out that the traditional institution would continue to collaborate with the government and private stakeholders to fast track landmark development and progress to their respective region.

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, firmly rejected the invitation extended by the acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, to join the ruling party.

Governor Yusuf’s response swiftly followed the decision of Kano APC stakeholders to reconcile with the Kwankwasiyya movement, a move suggesting that Ganduje might be complying with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to reunite with Yusuf and the New Nigeria Peoples Party members within the APC.

After the APC stakeholders’ meeting last Thursday, where they affirmed the Supreme Court verdict on Yusuf’s victory, Ganduje’s appeal was met with Governor Yusuf’s resolute rejection.

Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the Director-General of Media and Publicity to the Kano State Governor, conveyed Yusuf’s response, emphasizing that the governor heard Ganduje’s appeal through social media platforms. He expressed the belief that, as a former governor, Ganduje should know the appropriate channels for communication if he genuinely intends to convey a message to Governor Yusuf.

Regarding the potential shift to APC, Tofa reiterated that Governor Yusuf has no intentions of abandoning his party, the NNPP, as he is content with the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

By Daniel Edu

In a communique issued on Thursday, the Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations has called for the immediate removal of the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, and the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso.

The demand, signed by the committee’s convener, Murtala Abubakar, Director of Public Communication and Strategy, Hashim Tom Maiyashi, and Director of Gender Mobilization, Latifa Abdussalam, praised the Northern caucus of the Senate but urged lawmakers to seek the dismissal of the two appointees by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The committee further urged the Senate to set a deadline for Tinubu to halt the relocation of certain sectors of the CBN and Federal Airports Authority (FAAN) to Lagos.

Stressing the significance of decisions impacting the nation’s economic and administrative landscape, the committee emphasized the need for competence, transparency, and adherence to constitutional principles. They stated that the call for removal was not punitive but an urgent step to restore public trust, ensure accountability, and uphold the constitutional integrity of key institutions.

The committee called on representatives in the National Assembly to exercise their full legislative oversight functions. They urged lawmakers to establish a definite deadline for the executive to reconsider decisions related to the relocation of CBN departments and FAAN headquarters, while also prompting proactive corrective measures.

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto

The Sokoto State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) wholeheartedly congratulates the All Progressives Congress (APC) Leader in Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto Ph.D, FCNA, and his Deputy, Engr. Idris Muhammad Gobir, on the APC’s resounding victory at the Supreme Court.

The Union rejoices with the Party and the Sokoto State government, emphasising the overwhelming nature of the triumph.

The release jointly signed by the state Chairman and the Secretary, Dalhatu Abdullahi S/Magori and Muhammad Nasir Bello said with the conclusion of the legal proceedings, the Union urges the State government to prioritise addressing the impact of the high cost of living, particularly among low-income earners, including the State Workforce.

Additionally, the Union wishes Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto success in effectively steering the State’s affairs.

The Council also reminds Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto on his promises to continue to initiate viable projects and invest in the completion of inherited projects across the State.

The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Siminalayi Fubara as the governor of Rivers State, dismissing an appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress candidate, Tonye Cole. Cole had sought the apex court’s intervention, claiming irregularities in the election and asserting that Fubara did not properly resign from his previous position as required by law. The tribunal and the Court of Appeal had earlier rejected Cole’s case for lacking merit. In a unanimous decision, the five-man panel ruled that the appellant failed to substantiate allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the election.