News

Kano: Attempt To Make Nigeria One Party State, Unhealthy – Northern Lawyers

Published

2 years ago

December 3, 2023

…Says A’ Court judgment a clear miscarriage of justice

About 200 lawyers from the 19 states of Northern Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, expressed worry over the contradictory verdict of the Appeal Court judgment on the Kano State gubernatorial election, warning against the move to turn Nigeria into a one party state.

The lawyers also urged that the rule of law should be obeyed to ensure votes of every Nigerian counts during elections.

Speaking on behalf of the lawyers under the auspices of Abba Kabir Yusuf Volunteer Lawyers Forum For The 19 – Northern States And Abuja at a press conference at Arewa House, Kaduna, Chairman of the Northern Volunteer Lawyers, Yusuf Ado Ibrahim, warned that turning Nigeria into a one party state is an unhealthy, democratic practice.

Ibrahim said: “Historically, going by the antecedent of or dear country Nigeria, our past leaders like Sir Ahmadu Bello of blessed memory and others have always respected the rule of law and democracy and it is based on this that we call and appeal to our President, H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the judiciary to save our democracy and ensure the votes of the electorate as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

“This is not unconnected to the fact that the good people of Kano have voted massively in favour of H.E Abba Kabir Yusuf so as to allow him carry on the good work his predecessors have started in Kano State.”

On the need to review the Electoral Act, he said: “It is pertinent to state here that the Electoral Act needs a holistic reworking to address these anomalies of our judicial system and democracy, if we must save it. Pre-election matters must be seen to be addressed as no longer litigable issues after the winner of an election has been declared.

“The issues are too numerous to mention. But we are all seated here believing in the strong will of a free and fair judicial system. We believe honestly in the powers of true democratic system and are still optimistic in the judicial system so much so that we admit the fallibility of our justices as humans. We are hopeful that the apex Court would do the right thing devoid of any sentiments and paying able and competent attention to happenings of the just delivered judgments.

“It is our optimism that the lot of the common man in Kano State will be protected and the yearnings of our people respected. We strongly believe that the Apex Court will do justice by affirming and categorically stating that the duly elected governor of Kano State is Engr. Abba Yusuf, whose adequate votes were casted by the populist approval of the people of Kano State.

“And on this hope, we volunteer as private legal practitioner across the 19 Northern States of this country to participate in Solidarity for Governor Abba Yusuf at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, to represent the Truth in the fight to reclaim his mandate and that of the people of Kano State.

“We have all seen, for those of us that have read the Judgment, how the final closing decision of the leading Judge in this case, specifically at page 67 where 5 paragraphs were contradictory, one after another. These cannot be an oversight. If it is a mistake as they have stated, it is indeed an unforgivable one.

“We passionately and respectfully call on the Supreme Court to resist any form of external interference either from the Executive or any other body to protect the image of the judiciary and uphold the rule of law,” the group they appealed.

“We depend on a system that is clearly set to bring us to an inevitable end. Almost every judgment or decision will be replete with traces of unimaginable conclusions. Truth be told, you are no longer sure of the outcome of the courts decisions in this country even if you are a legal practitioner no matter how knowledgeable you may be.”

Also speaking, another member of the group Mr Usman Ashafa, said that the contradictory judgment of the Appeal Court leaves much to be desired.

Ashafa said the errors discovered in the CTC in five paragraphs is unforgivable in law.

News

NiMet Predicts 3-day Thunderstorms, Rains

Published

4 hours ago

June 29, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thundery, rainy weather activities from Monday to Wednesday across the country.

NiMet’s weather outlook, released on Sunday in Abuja, predicted thunderstorms (with or without rain) during the early morning hours over parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kaduna States in the northern region.

According to the agency, the rest of the region will be sunny with patches of cloud.

“Thunderstorms with rains are expected during the afternoon or evening hours over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Jigawa, Yobe, Kano, Katsina, Gombe, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Kaduna States.

“In the central region, morning thunderstorms with rains are expected over parts of Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory, while the remaining parts of the region are anticipated to be sunny with cloud patches.

“Isolated thunderstorms (with or without rain) are expected over parts of Plateau, Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi and Niger States during the afternoon or evening periods,“ it said NiMet envisaged cloudy skies over the southern region with prospects of morning light rains over parts of Ogun, Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

It anticipated afternoon or evening thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

“For Tuesday in the northern region, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected in most of the region with chances of morning scattered thunderstorms with heavy rains over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, Jigawa, Bauchi and Kaduna States.

“Thunderstorms with light rains are expected during the afternoon or evening hours over parts of Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Borno, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and Bauchi States,” it said.

According to it, morning thunderstorms with light rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kogi and Benue States in the central region.

The agency anticipated thunderstorms with light rain over parts of Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Kogi, and Plateau States later in the day.

It forecasts cloudy skies over the southern region, with a chance of morning rains in parts of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

The agency predicted thunderstorms with light rains over the southern region during the afternoon or evening periods.

“For Wednesday, morning thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Zamfara, Kebbi, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Gombe, Bauchi and Sokoto states in the northern region.

“Thunderstorms with heavy rains are expected over parts of Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa, Taraba and Adamawa States during the afternoon to evening periods.

“For the central region, cloudy skies are anticipated over the area during the morning hours.

“Thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected across the region in the afternoon to evening periods.

“For southern region, there are prospects of light rains across the entire region throughout the day, “ it said.

According to NiMet, strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur. The public should take adequate precautions and ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collisions.

“Driving under heavy rain should be avoided. Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets. Stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees.

“Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

“Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng,“ it said.

News

Gov Yusuf Renames Two Institutions To Honour 22 Kano Athletes Killed In Crash

Published

4 hours ago

June 29, 2025

Editor

Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State has renamed two key institutions in the state in honour of its 22 athletes who died in a motor accident while returning from the National Sports Festival in May.

Yusuf made the announcement on Sunday in Kano, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammed.

It would be recalled that the accident occurred within 5 kilometers from Kano, as the state contingent returned to the state from Ogun.

He said that the state would forever remember the athletes.

“The athletes made the state proud and will be remembered for their sacrifices towards sports development in the state.

“The Kano State Sports Institute has been renamed Kano State 22 Athletes Sports Institute, while the Kano State Sports Commission will now be known as Kano State 22 Athletes Sports Commission.

“The young athletes are heroes of Kano who fought for the successes we recorded in the National Sports Festival.

“The state government will cater for the education of their children and engage their widows in empowerment programmes.

“The parents of those who were unmarried would also be considered in our empowerment plans,” the statement read.

The governor commended Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for donating N110million to the deceased families, to cushion the effects of their losses.

News

Otuaro Lauds President Yar’Adua For Establishing Presidential Amnesty Programme

Published

7 hours ago

June 29, 2025

Editor

Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has applauded the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua for proclaiming amnesty for former agitators of the Niger Delta and also establishing the progamme.

In a statement, Mr Igoniko Oduma,
Special Assistant on Media to the PAP boss, said Otuaro spoke at the 2nd President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Leadership Conference and Awards, organised by the Global Initiative for Leadership Success in Abuja on Saturday.

The event, which was themed: “Electoral Management Institution: Midwife of True Democracy, Development, and Prosperity,” the PAP boss was to also received a corporate service award in recognition of his efficient administration of the PAP.

Represented by his Special Assistant on Data and ICT, Monabe Mitee, Otuaro noted that Yar’Adua also created the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs before inaugurating the PAP as part of his response to the civic demands of the region’s people.

The PAP boss, while describing him as ‘a selfless leader and a patriot,’ said Yar’Adua, who governed the country from May 29, 2007, to May 5, 2010, was deeply concerned about the need for guaranteed sustainable peace, stability, and development in the region.

The PAP Administrator, while paying tribute to the former Katsina State governor’s memories, extolled his exemplary and exceptional leadership as well as his high ethical and moral values in public service.

“President Yar’Adua was a listening leader, and this was evident in his response to the civic demands of the Niger Delta people.

“He not only proclaimed amnesty for the region’s freedom fighters at the time, but he also established the Presidential Amnesty Programme which I am heading today by the benevolence of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and as a precursor to the programme he also created the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs,” Otuaro said.

He further said that Yar’Adua operated an efficient administration in Katsina State as a governor and left indelible development footprints with profound impacts on education and infrastructure across the state.

He said Yar’Adua had a deep understanding of the burden of leadership and brought this to bear in the governance of the country when he was elected president in 2007, ‘showing an unwavering commitment, zeal, and dedication to fix and transform Nigeria’ through his seven-point agenda.

Otuaro noted that the insight and reasons that informed the organiser’s initiative were noble, saying they had provided a platform to celebrate, honour and immortalize Yar’Adua and his legacies.

The PAP Administrator added, “He also ran a government of national unity to demonstrate his faith in a nation united by common aspirations for the attainment of national development, peace, security, progress, and shared prosperity and greatness.

“I believe that President Yar’Adua would have contributed much more of his quota to the country’s development process if his tenure had not been cut short by his protracted illness and eventual demise in office.

“He would be remembered for his selfless service. He was, indeed, a patriot!”