News

Gov’ship Polls: APC, NNPP In Fight To Finish In Kano

Published

1 year ago

March 17, 2023

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.

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

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.

News

Why Police Detained Yahaya Bello’s ADC, Security Details Revelead

Published

2 hours ago

April 20, 2024

Editor

…Former security aides may face orderly room trial for not arresting ex-gov

The Nigeria Police Force has detained a female police officer who was the aide-de-camp to embattled former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, according to The PUNCH.

The ADC was arrested alongside other police officers attached to 48-year-old Bello, and is being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Their arrests and detention followed a Thursday night order by the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, directing their immediate withdrawal from the former governor.

Senior police sources, who spoke to The PUNCH correspondent on the condition of anonymity because they did not have authorisation to comment publicly on the matter, noted that the officers were arrested on the suspicion that they aided and abetted Bello’s escape from operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, who had gone to effect his arrest at his Abuja home on Wednesday.

“The ADC and the other police details attached to Yahaya Bello have been arrested and detained.

“They were arrested on the order of the IG, on the suspicion that they aided and abetted the former governor’s escape from the EFCC on Wednesday,” one of the sources said in a telephone conversation on Friday.

Another source said, “Yahaya Bello’s female ADC and other police officers attached to him were brought to the command this morning, and they’ve been detained for aiding and abetting (the governor’s escape).”

Egbetokun had, on Thursday night, ordered the withdrawal of all police officers attached to Bello.

The order for the withdrawal was contained in a police wireless message sighted by our correspondent on Friday morning.

The document read, “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.48/ 34 X ORDER AND DIRECTIVES X FOLLOWING MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM NIGPOL.

“DOPS ABUJA X BEGINS X CB:4001/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.21/462 DTO:180955/04/2024 X ORDER AND DIRECTIVES X REF MYLET NO CB:3412/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.1/36 DATED 15/04/2024 X AND MY EARLIER LET NO CB:3412/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.1/30 DATED 24/01/2024 X Nigeria police have ordered the withdrawal of all men.

“Police attached to His Excellency and former Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, should acknowledge compliance and treat with utmost importance. Please above for your information and strict compliance.”

News

UNIOSUN Appoints First Female Registrar In 18 Years

Published

13 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Editor

The Governing Council of Osun State University on Friday announced the appointment of Mrs. Atinuke Oguntunde as the institution’s third substantive Registrar.

Oguntunde’s appointment, being the first female to be appointed Registrar was coming after 18 years of the establishment of the university.

The institution was established by the Osun State Government during the administration of Olagunsoye Oyinlola on December 21, 2006 and it has had two substantive male Registrars.

Also appointed were; Mr. Muideen Lasisi, who got appointed as the 3rd substantive Bursar, and Dr. Olugbenga Adewuyi, who was appointed 3rd substantive university Librarian.

A release issued by the University’s Public Relations’ Officer, Ademola Adesoji, further disclosed that the appointments were approved by the Governing Council at its special meeting on Friday, following the completion of the selection processes and the recommendations of the Selection Panel.

Giving further details about the appointees, Adesoji said, “Mrs. Atinuke Oguntunde (native of Ilesha), the newly appointed Registrar, will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role. Previously serving as the Deputy Registrar and College Secretary at the University’s College of Health Sciences. Mrs. Oguntunde has demonstrated exemplary leadership and dedication throughout her services in the University system.

“Her academic qualifications include a B.A.(Ed.) in English Education from the University of Ilorin and an M.A. in Literature in English from the same institution.

“Mr. Muideen Akintayo Lasisi (native of Ido-Osun) was until his appointment a Deputy Bursar at the National Open University of Nigeria. With a career spanning over two decades in finance and accounting, Mr. Lasisi’s appointment underscores UNIOSUN’s commitment to financial prudence and accountability. He holds academic qualifications including an HND in Accountancy from Osun State Polytechnic, a B.Sc. in Accounting from the University of Lagos, and an M.Sc. in Entrepreneurship from the National Open University of Nigeria.

“Dr. Olugbenga Wale Adewuyi (native of Ila Orangun), the newly appointed University Librarian, will bring his wealth of academic and professional experience to his new role. Dr. Adewuyi is renowned for his scholarly contributions and commitment to advancing library sciences and administration. He holds academic qualifications that include a B.A. in Dramatic Arts from Obafemi Awolowo University, an M.Sc. in Library Studies from the University of Ibadan and a Ph.D. in Library and Information Science from Babcock University.”

UNIOSUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Clement Adebooye, while reacting to the appointments, stated that it marked a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and institutional advancement.
PUNCH

News

Alaafin: Kingmakers Appeal As Court Strikes Out Case Against Makinde

Published

13 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Editor

Oyo State High Court sitting in Awe, Oyo State, has struck out a case filed by the Oyo kingmakers ( Oyo Mesi) against the state governor, Seyi Makinde, the state Attorney General and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters on the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo over administrative defect.

The PUNCH reports that the stool became vacant after the death of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who died at the age of 82 and ruled for 52 years.

The claimants in the suit no HOY/14/2023 are the Bashorun of Oyo, Chief Yusuf Layinka; Lagunna of Oyo, Chief Wakeel Oyedepo; Akinniku of Oyo, Chief Amusa Yusuf; Areago Bashorun, Chief Wahab Oyetunji and the Alapo of Oyo, Chief Gbadebo Mufutau.

They were seeking court injunction restraining Makinde and his agents from overruling their choice on the selected candidate for the vacant stool.

According to them, “due diligence was followed in the selection/appointment of the candidate for filling the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo duly conducted by the kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy.”

While ruling on the notice of preliminary objection as filed by the defendants, on Tuesday, Justice Ladiran Akintola said there was no proof of service to notify the governor of the outcome of the selection process as carried out by the kingmakers.

The failure to serve the notice of the outcome on the governor thereby affects the substantive case, and as such, the case was struck out.

It was stated in the ruling that, “This court found merit in the Notice of Preliminary Objection filed by the defendants/applicants against the claimants/respondents in this case.

“The same succeeds, accordingly all the issues raised for determination of this court by learned counsel on both sides are thereby resolved in favour of the defendants/applicants but against the claimants/respondents.

“Consequently, the suit initiated by the claimants/respondents in this case against the defendants/applicants is thereby struck out.”

In a telephone interview with The PUNCH, on Friday, the lead counsel for the claimants, Kunle Sobaloju (SAN) said a notice of appeal and motion for injunction pending an appeal have been filed at the Court of Appeal and Oyo High Court, respectively.

Commenting on the judgment, Sobaloju said the judgment that was passed, on Tuesday, was on a preliminary objection filed by the defendant which is the Governor of Oyo State, Attorney General of the state and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

He said, “By that preliminary objection after we filed our case which they challenged against on the ground that we did not comply with the condition precedence of filing an action of that nature.

“According to them, what was the condition precedence, they said the Secretary of the Local Government, Atiba Local Government did not notify the governor of the Oyo Mesi on the selection of Prince Lukman Gbadegesin as the candidate to fill the stool of Alaafin of Oyo.

“Our response to that objection is to the effect that that duty is imposed on by the law, that is Section 19 of the Chieftancy Law on the Secretary to the Local Government and not on the kingmakers and we exhibited evidence that the kingmakers forwarded their decision to the Secretary of Atiba Local Government.

“We also exhibited a letter from the Secretary of Atiba Local Government acknowledged by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters. That is the only means to which the governor can be involved. You can not go to the governor and serve him directly.

“We also argued that even the issue is an issue of evidence that the governor can only prove whether he was served or not with proof of evidence. It is not the issue that the court can determine by way of preliminary objection.

“However, it is the failure to serve the notice of the decision of the kingmakers on the governor that affects our case, and as such, it was struck out.

“We have filed a notice of appeal and motion for injunction pending an appeal. What was considered on Tuesday was the notice for preliminary objection. The merit of the case is yet to be considered.”