Category: Politics

By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.

The Dawakin Tofa local government APC Chapter has sacked the Ganduje ward exco for announcing the suspension after they were caught in the anti-Party activities and other related offenses.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the alleged suspension of the APC National chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the APC chairman of Dawakin Tofa local government chapter Inusa Sule Dawanau said that they have no merit to suspend the party’s national chairman due yo their bad record on anty party activities.

“I wish to announced that those who suspend our national chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje were caught red handed in the anti-party activities and other related activities,therefore the local government chapter sacked them and an investigation panel has been set up to bring out full details of their offenses”. He added.

Similarly, the kano state chairman of the party, Honourable Abdullahi Abbas announced that the state working committee has adopted the suspension of the Ganduje executives as resolved by the local government chapter, where he called on the APC supporters across the country to disregard the news spreading about Dr. Ganduje’s suspension by the enemies of the ruling party.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ganduje Ward, Dawakin Tofa local government area of Kano State, has suspended the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, from the party.

The decision was announced by the ward’s legal adviser, Halliru Gwanzo, during a press conference in Kano on Monday.

Gwanzo stated that the suspension was based on serious bribery allegations against Ganduje made by the Kano State Government.

“We chose to suspend Dr. Ganduje due to the severity of the allegations against him,” Gwanzo said.

The suspension will remain in place until Ganduje can clear his name.

More details to come…

Stakeholders in the North Central geopolitical zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are advocating for Nasarawa State to produce the party’s next national chairman to complete the remaining tenure of Dr. Iyiorchia Ayu. The stakeholders believe that allowing Nasarawa State to fill the role would promote unity and mutual respect within the party and complete the zone’s chairmanship slot that was previously held by Benue’s Dr. Ayu.

At a joint meeting held in Abuja over the weekend, stakeholders from the six north central states and the FCT supported the idea of Nasarawa State completing the remaining tenure. The group emphasized Nasarawa State’s loyalty and strong performance in the 2023 gubernatorial election, despite facing challenges.

The statement from the north central group, led by Hon Samson Paul, highlighted that Nasarawa State, along with Niger, has not yet produced a national chairman from the zone. They argued for the importance of allowing Nasarawa State to take the position in the interest of fairness and equitable representation.

The group urged the elders in the zone to support Nasarawa State’s nomination for the national chairmanship, citing the state’s significant contributions to the party. They also expressed concerns about Benue State’s interest in the position again, after the removal of Dr. Ayu.

The stakeholders called for justice and fairness in the decision-making process, emphasizing the need for all states in the north central region to have a sense of belonging and representation in the party. They warned against any one state, such as Benue, attempting to dominate others and urged the party to respect the interests of all its members.

Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition has demanded an apology from the Commissioner for Special Projects, Chief Chukwuemeka Woke, for his alleged disparaging comments about Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration.

In a statement released in Port Harcourt on Friday, the youth leaders urged Governor Fubara to address disloyalty within his cabinet decisively and emphasized the importance of prioritizing the interests of the state and its citizens over personal agendas.

The statement, signed by the coalition’s chairman, Dr. Legborsi Yamaabana, stressed the importance of maintaining integrity, loyalty, and dedication to public service within governance. It also criticized Woke’s past resignation and return to his position, citing a pattern of self-interest.

The coalition demanded that Woke retract his comments and issue a sincere apology to Governor Fubara and the government of Rivers State. The group stated that failure to do so would worsen Woke’s perceived betrayal of the administration.

The youth leaders also praised former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, for his consistent support of the Fubara-led administration and the aspirations of the people of Rivers State.

The group called for unity, accountability, and dedication to the state’s advancement, urging all parties to work towards a brighter future for the state.

The 27 Rivers State House of Assembly members who were elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and have since defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been urged to resign from their positions and pursue their new political interests in the APC as regular party members.

Uche Harris Okonkwo, who represents Idemili North and South Federal Constituency in Anambra State, made this call in a statement. He described the lawmakers’ defection as a serious assault on the integrity of democracy and the constitution’s operational sanctity.

Okonkwo, who is not affiliated with either the PDP or the APC, argued that legislators who switch parties less than a year into their term should not retain their seats. He called on the defected members to step down from their roles in the Rivers State House of Assembly and engage with the APC as ordinary party members.

He also expressed concern about the spread of such behavior across Nigeria’s political landscape, citing recent reports of Labour Party legislators defecting to the PDP. Okonkwo warned that excessive executive influence behind these defections poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

“I am neither a member of the PDP nor the APC, so I am not a direct beneficiary or loser in this struggle for power in Rivers State,” Okonkwo stated. “As a fellow lawmaker, I am appalled by the way the legislative institution is being disrespected and misused.”

He stressed that the intent of the law is clear and should be followed, emphasizing that the victory achieved by these legislators belongs to the PDP, not the APC.

Okonkwo urged politicians to uphold the integrity of the legislative institution and avoid behavior that undermines the constitution. He expressed concern about how easily such bad practices can spread and warned that excessive executive manipulation could harm the country’s long-standing democratic experience.

“If we ever hope to earn and appreciate what we profess and aspire to, respect for our constitution and obedience to the rule of law are not negotiable,” he concluded.

Former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has died at the age of 72. He passed away after a brief illness in an undisclosed hospital in Nigeria.

Onu, who was the first civilian governor of Abia State, had recently sought the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 general elections. He also served as minister under the previous administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The specific cause of his death has not yet been confirmed. Born on December 1, 1951, Dr. Onu was known for his long tenure as minister of Science and Technology, a position he resigned from in November 2022 to pursue his presidential bid.

By Milcah Tanimu

The Acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Emperor Jaret Tenebe, reassured the impeached deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, of unwavering support, denouncing his impeachment as unjust and urging him to pursue legal recourse.

During a solidarity visit to Shaibu’s Abuja residence, Tenebe condemned the impeachment as a “sham” and pledged the APC’s commitment to stand by Shaibu in challenging the decision through legal means.

Emphasizing Shaibu’s loyalty and sacrifice, Tenebe likened his plight to that of Jesus Christ, symbolizing resilience in the face of adversity. He affirmed Shaibu’s continued recognition as the deputy governor of Edo State and expressed solidarity on behalf of the party.

Asserting their shared roots and strength, Tenebe encouraged Shaibu to persevere in seeking justice, assuring him of the APC’s unwavering support throughout the legal process.

The visit follows protests by APC members in Etsako West Local Government Area against Shaibu’s purported return to the party, highlighting divisions within the political landscape of Edo State.

The Kano Concerned Forum has criticized the Kano State government’s decision to investigate former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration. Speaking to the media, the forum’s secretary, Comrade Auwal Shu’aib, urged the state government to focus on providing good governance and the benefits of democracy rather than revisiting past issues.

“The elections are over. It’s time to focus on delivering for the people of Kano,” Shu’aib stated. “Investigating the past administration is a sign of failure. If the current government had a clear development plan, it wouldn’t waste time on such matters.”

Shu’aib emphasized the pressing issues faced by the people of Kano, including high living costs and hyperinflation, noting that nearly a year into the new government’s term, significant achievements are yet to be seen.

He further condemned the formation of a committee to investigate Ganduje’s tenure, calling it a politically motivated act of vendetta. The forum’s co-convener, Ambassador Abdullahi Mohammed, also criticized the government for the perceived injustice and partiality in the committee’s mandate and scope.

Mohammed questioned the focus on Ganduje’s administration alone and called for investigations to cover the period from 1999 to 2023. He also pointed out an existing court order preventing harassment of Ganduje and his family.

“Ganduje’s children are residents of Kano and have the right to buy and own government properties if they meet all the criteria,” Mohammed said.

He concluded by praising Ganduje’s contributions to Kano’s development, highlighting the former governor’s efforts in infrastructure and commerce.

Last week, the Kano State government formed two committees to investigate Ganduje’s administration.

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto

The state APC image maker and Commissioner of Information and Orientation in his defence to PDPs recent press, that PDP worn the 2023 elections in the state is misleading even to the ears of their followers.

The Commissioner said PDP won only five of the twenty three local governments.” I am sure that even his PDP audience at the venue were not amused by this very crude joke”, referring to Senator Tambuwal who recently attempted to show that PDP in Sokoto is still alive and kicking.

Unconnected with the facts his position is defending his party leadership, it is not surprising Danchadi calling Ahmad as the transformation governor of Sokoto state , he said Ahmad Aliyu projected infrastructural projects and social intervention programs of the APC led administration which are all people centric, have continued to endear this administration.

The state Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Sambo Bello Danchadi while adressing newsmen on the statement made by the former governor of Sokoto Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said the difference between the APC government and the PDP in the state can be understood if one listens to the views of people at the grassroots; rather than the views of political adventurers leading the PDP today.

Danchadi proved that peace in the state would soon be restored evident from the reduction in the number if incidents of banditry and the many successful rescue operations by the security agencies.

“This is a complete departure from what obtained under the previous PDP administration because the general attitude of PDP government was that of complete denial and in other instances shifting blames to the Federal Government for political expediency, rather than assistance, cooperation and coordination for the good”, the Commissiner averred.