News
Gov’ship Polls: APC, NNPP In Fight To Finish In Kano
Published
2 years agoon
By
Editor
In Kano State, the battle for the governorship seat is between the ruling party, All Progressive Congress, APC, and the fast-growing opposition party, New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP. No doubt, it will be a fight to finish as it is going to be a replay of the 2019 election between Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s of APC, and Sen. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso’s of NNPP formerly of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Similarly, at that time, the PDP Guber candidate and now flag bearer of the NNPP, Abba Kabir Yusuf, contested against the sitting Governor, Ganduje, who was seeking his second term bid, but this time around against Ganduje’s anointed candidate and incumbent Deputy Governor, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna.
What will work for NNPP?
I want successive govts to sustain my anti-corruption war – Buhari
1) Presidential/NASS polls outcome factor:
The 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections results may affect the governorship and state assembly polls because Kano State was the only state won by the NNPP’s Kwankwaso in the Presidential election and the NNPP’s tsunami also swept 2 of 3 Senate seats and 18 out of 24 House of Representatives seats in the state.
Although, that may not be the case going by the 2019 experience where the APC’s Muhammadu Buhari won the Presidential election in the state with a wide margin against the PDP’s Atiku Abubakar but the governorship ran into an inconclusive election where the incumbent was giving fight for his money before he was returned for his second term.
READ ALSO: 2023 Elections: Two Burnt To Death In Attack On Kano NNPP Office
2) Empowerment and Scholarship
The Scholarship scheme by Kwankwaso is a plus that will work for the NNPP.
Youth and Women empowerment is also a plus to NNPP.
3) Revoke of alleged misused, carve out lands by serving Governor
This will work for the NNPP as it is believed by many (traders and residents) that it is the party that can revoke all alleged misused, and carve out of lands (schools, markets, and Eid praying ground) allocated by the serving governor.
What will work against NNPP?
1) Rumour of alleged plan to reverse newly created emirate
It is rumoured that if the NNPP clinch power they will return the state to one emirate and reverse the newly created additional five Emirates, although, the NNPP has often at any given time denied this.
What will work against APC?
1) Anointment / Preferred candidates
The fact that Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje anointed his Deputy, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna as his successor almost tore apart the party before peace was later attained. The current running mate of Gawuna, Murtala Sule Garo (Ganduje’s former Commissioner of Local Government) wanted the party’s flag bearer but after a lot of pacifying let go of the ambition.
The former speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Alhassan Rurum couldn’t withstand the decision and so defected from the party while the House of Representatives member representing Kano Municipal Federal Constituency, Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada, challenged the decision by contesting against the governor’s anointed candidate in the party primaries. He later defected from the party and picked the Action Democratic Party, ADP Gubernatorial ticket for the election.
It was also the same scenario for other positions, which made some party to defect to other parties to pursue their political ambition.
2) Clamour for power to move to Kano South
READ ALSO: El-Rufai Absent As Northern Govs, Others Campaign For Tinubu In Borno
There was clamour by some quarters in Kano South Senatorial district for power to shift to the zone on the ground that the zone has not produced a governor nor deputy governor since the return to democracy and that it couldn’t see the light of the day with the Governor’s anointment of his Deputy and forced some of the party Chieftain, particularly from the zone to switch their loyalty to Kwankwaso’s NNPP.
3) Gale of Defection
Some bigwigs in the party who defected due to the aforementioned or other grievances include, Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau, Ganduje’s Chief of Staff, Ali Makoda, Abdulmumini Jibrin Kofa, Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, Alhassan Rurum, Abdulkadir Tijjani Jobe, Muhyi Rimingado, Nura Dankadai, Nazifi Suleiman Sani Mainagge among others.
4) Pensioners and gratuity
The deduction of Pensioners’ pensions and non-payment of gratuity is something that will work against the APC.
What will work for APC?
1) Power of incumbency
The fact that APC is the incumbent, make them enjoy the power of incumbency and the state resources at their disposal.
2) LG structure factor
With Gawuna as a former Chairman of Nassarawa LGA in the state and his running mate, Murtala Sule Garo as former ALGON Chairman and Commissioner of Local Government, makes them stand a better chance in terms of owning and controlling the existing Local Government structure to a large extent, although they couldn’t play any role in the Presidential election.
3) Gawuna’s maturity appeal to Kano elites
The maturity displayed by Gawuna made him humble and appealing to the elites in the state. Similarly, his words during campaigns that he believes in predestination are another factor that proved to the elites an element of maturity in him.
READ ALSO: Kano INEC Office Razed
4) Civil servants take home pay
This will work for APC as the workers get paid as of when due.
PDP’s Wali, and ADP’s Sha’aban, among others to watch the poll
The People’s Democratic Party, PDP would have been seen as the third force but the running legal battle and the Supreme Court verdict reaffirming Sadiq Aminu Wali, the son of former Nigerian ambassador, Aminu Wali, made the chances of the party slim. Although, he has expressed optimism to win at the next Saturday’s election.
Another candidate and party which is seen as an underdog is the Action Democratic Party, ADP’s Guber candidate, Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada but could take the people off guard as he’s loved by youths and women.
Besides, Sharada, as Chairman, House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, has the war load chest.
In the main time, Four governorship candidates, Young Progressive Party (YPP), Dr. Yakubu Uba Muhammad, Booth Party (BP), Furera Ahmad, National Reformation Party (NRM), Ashatu Mahmud, All People’s Party (APP), Ibrahim Muhammad while the Deputy Governorship candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Abdulsalam Gwarmai dumped their ambition to join forces with Sha’aban.
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The National Youth Service Corps resumed payments for arrears on Wednesday, marking the first disbursement since the last payment on June 3, following a two-month break.
This payment relates to the new N77,000 monthly allowance recently approved by the Federal Government.
Recall that on April 5th, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, assured that corps members who recently completed their service will receive the new N77,000 monthly allowance approved by the Federal Government.
Speaking during the Batch A 2025 Pre-Mobilisation Workshop in Abuja, Nafiu said, “Once funds are released to us to offset the arrears, we will pay them. Even our corps members who passed out recently will benefit. We have their bank details.”
READ ALSO:Release Corps Member’s Discharge Certificate, Falana Tells NYSC
He emphasised the government’s commitment, adding, “Nigerians should not fret about that because the government is both responsible and responsive to their needs.”
This development was confirmed by PUNCH, by a previously serving corps member who chose to remain anonymous, who said, “After waiting for two months, I didn’t expect to see another payment alert. But honestly, it’s not just about the money; it’s about feeling like our efforts actually count.
The payment of arrears, covering the period from July 2024 to March 2025, follows widespread frustration over delayed implementation after the Federal Government approved the allowance increase as part of its commitment to easing economic hardship for Nigerian youth.
News
FCTA Withdraws Park Licences, Directs Fresh Screening Of Operators
Published
13 hours agoon
September 3, 2025By
Editor
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has withdrawn all park licences in Abuja, directing operators to resubmit their documents for a fresh screening exercise, with a possibility of reallocation.
The Director, Department of Development Control, Murktar Galadima, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday, while explaining the reasons for the demolition of Boulevard Park, Maitama, Abuja.
The FCTA carried out the demolition of Boulevard Park in Maitama on Tuesday, over violations of park policies and distortion of the Abuja Master Plan.
Assistant Director, Department of Development Control, and Sector Head for Maitama and Wuse, Sherif Razak, explained during the exercise that the park, originally designated for recreational purposes, had been overbuilt and misused.
READ ALSO:FCTA Local Contractors Protest Non-payment Of N5.2bn Bills
He said the park had been converted to worship centres, revival grounds, and restaurants, operating under unhygienic conditions.
Galadima explained that the decision to withdraw park licenses followed a memo jointly submitted by the Directors of Parks and Recreation and Lands to the Minister of the FCT, highlighting several inadequacies and violations associated with parks management in the FCT.
He said the new directive offers park operators the opportunity to resubmit their documents to the Department of Parks and Recreation for review.
“If they meet the terms and conditions, they can be reallocated. Owners of parks should respond to the call, submit their documents, and if they meet the requirements, they will return to their parks,” he said.
READ ALSO:FCT Police Arrest Three Wanted Kidnappers
The Director stressed that the decision was not taken to deliberately witch-hunt park operators, but is part of efforts to restore order and compliance with existing policies.
“There’s nothing like witch-hunting. All park allocations have been withdrawn following a series of violations, and the Minister is at liberty to do whatever he wants to do with land in the FCT, parks inclusive,” he stated.
On the recent demolition of Boulevard Park, Galadima clarified that operators were duly notified before enforcement, pointing out that the park had long violated its terms of allocation, operating in direct contravention of recreational policy.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: FCTA To Take Possession Of 4,794 Properties Revoked Over Non-payment Of Ground Rent
“Boulevard Park was allocated for recreational purposes, but the activities taking place there are a total violation of the park policy in terms of operation. Boulevard has violated all the terms and conditions,” he said.
He noted that monitoring park operations was the primary responsibility of the Department of Parks and Recreation, adding that parks were expected to submit concept designs for approval before operations commenced. However, lapses in monitoring had led to widespread abuse.
“The FCT is a creation of law, and lawlessness will not be tolerated. The development of the city is guided by law, and every operator must comply with the terms and conditions of their allocation,” Galadima said.
He stated that a ministerial committee had been set up to review all allocations and uses of parks, to ensure they were serving their original recreational purpose.
News
Tinubu Names New VCs For Education Varsities In Zaria, Kano
Published
13 hours agoon
September 3, 2025By
Editor
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday named Prof. Yahaya Bunkure as the new Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement he signed on Wednesday titled ‘President Tinubu appoints Nakore, Kodage into governing council of Federal University of Education Kano, Bunkure, names VC Federal University of Education Zaria.’
Bunkure is a renowned academic specialising in science education.
He is currently the Vice Chancellor of Saadatu Rimi University of Education in Kano.
READ ALSO:Ex-Tinubu Campaign Coordinator Resigns From APC
Tinubu also appointed Abdurrazaq Nakore, an engineer, as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano.
He named Prof. Abdullahi Kodage as Vice Chancellor of the university.
Nakore, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, was Executive Secretary of the Rural Electricity Board in Jigawa State.
READ ALSO:Why I’d Choose Tinubu Over Obi – Adeyanju
The Federal University of Education, Zaria, and the Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano, were among the four Colleges of Education upgraded into full-fledged universities between 2022 and 2023.
“In accordance with the institution’s governing laws, the pro-chancellor will serve a term of four years, while the Vice-Chancellors will serve for five years,” the statement added.
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