The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Group condemns action of interim govt agitators

    Group condemns action of interim govt agitators

    The Non State Actors Consultative Forum (NOSACOF) a non-governmental organisation, has condemned agitators and agitations for interim government in the country.

    This was contained in a press statement issued, signed and made available to our reporter in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital by the lead convener of the forum, Comrade Abdulrazaq Alqali, who described the agitation as unpatriotic and born from selfish interest of some losers of 2023 general elections.

    The statement called on all well-meaning Nigerians to stand firm on the continuity of the existing democracy and put national unity and security first.

    Comrade Alqali maintained that it is common behaviour for losers and winners after any election to get involved in media spats and rhetorics as well as media attacks and counterattacks regarding the conduct of the election.

    He added that: “Nigeria is above any individual or group of people’s selfish agenda against the democratic values of our dear country…”

    The statement condemned the recent remarks by the Labour Party vice presidential candidate, Dr Yusuf Datti Ahmed on a national television, asking the president and chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) to truncate the victory of a valid winner of the presidential election.

    “These sorts of unpatriotic actions are beyond common politics, and it is very important that Nigerians rise up and condemn such actors and their plans by upholding our democratic values and rule of law. Any politicians who felt aggrieved by the electoral process should follow the constitutional means and seek redress in the courts and election tribunals”.

  • Senate Presidency: ‘Why Northern aspirants should emulate Sani Musa on zoning’

    Senate Presidency: ‘Why Northern aspirants should emulate Sani Musa on zoning’

    Aspirants seeking to become the Senate President from the north were on Sunday urged to emulate the Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Sani Musa, by supporting the All Progressives Congress’ zoning arrangement in the interest of peace, fairness and justice.

    The National Chairman of pro-democracy group, The Quintessential Professionals in Politics (TQPIP), Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar, made the call in a statement in Abuja.

    Abubakar admitted that the election of National Assembly presiding officers is basically based on ranking, competence, character and experience.

    He said there is also need to consider ethnic and religious sentiments in the whole process.

    He said there were news reports that except there was an urgent intervention by the APC’s leadership, some desperate aspirants from the North might frustrate the ruling party’s zoning arrangements for the leadership positions in the National Assembly.

    The statement reads in part: “Already, Senators Barau Jibrin (North West), Abdulaziz Yari (North West) and Mohammed Ali Ndume (North East) have categorically stated that ethnic or religious considerations do not matter when talking about the National Assembly leadership positions.

    “Some of them have also threatened to go against the wish of the party by contesting the position whether the APC’s leadership zones the position or not.

    “We consider the position of these aspirants as an aberration because of the need to ensure that all parts of the country are carried along in the current move by the incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to reconcile all the aggrieved people of the country after the just concluded presidential election.

    “They should emulate Senator Sani Musa, who had already expressed his willingness to sacrifice his ambition in the interest of unity and peaceful coexistence of Nigeria.

    “Musa had also said the only condition that could make him to consider the position of the Deputy Senate President is if a competent Christian aspirant who is running for the office of Senate President convinced him to step down, with genuine reasons.

    “The Senator sees Nigeria as a secular nation and had stressed the need to ensure balance between the two main religions in the country.

    “Musa had told the whole World that the tension that heralded the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate and his running mate, should be avoided in the race for the Senate Presidency.

    “He had also said that for the exigencies of our time, looking at the volatile situation of what has generated the Muslim-Muslim ticket in this country, he was one person that believes in the secularity of one Nigeria.

    “The Niger East Senator had said he believes that, for every reason, there should be give and take in this country.

    “Musa had said that he was ready to step down for a qualified, competent personality like him in the Senate who has also presented himself for the office of the Senate President and asked him to drop his ambition for him.

    “According to him, there is a position of Deputy Senate President, which also is a presiding officer in the National Assembly.

    “He had said he would be willing to do it if it’s going to be in the best interest of Nigerians and if it’s going to be in the best interest of the zone he was going to represent as a presiding officer.

    “He had also said that there was no commitment or sacrifice too much to make to keep the unity Nigeria deserved.”

  • Group back Barau Jibrin for Senate President

    Group back Barau Jibrin for Senate President

    The North West Coalition for Youth Awareness  NWCYA), has called for the zoning of the position of Senate President to the North West in view of emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from South West as President-Elect and Senator Kashim Shettima from Northeast as Vice President-Elect.

    The group in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Dr. Zakariya Shuaibu and Secretary, Engr. Onoja Adama, insisted that in the allocation of top positions across the six geopolitical zones, the Northwest should not be shortchanged despite being strategic to peace and corporate coexistence of the country.

    The group went further to say that, if the position is eventually zoned to the region, the man who should wear the crown as the Senate President should be Senator Barau Jibrin who happens to be the most experienced senator from the zone in the interest of progress and development of the incoming administration.

    It said the call has become necessary encourage the zone for giving the ruling party highest votes of over 2.6 million during the last Presidential election.

    They argued that North West has always been in the lead when it comes to elections, they always make sure that they deliver with huge number of votes, saying it has become necessary for the ruling party to zone the Senate President slot to the region.

    They lauded the leadership qualities and prowess of Senator Jibrin
    whom they describing him as a quintessential, versatile and dynamic individual.

    They added that loyalty and commitment of the Senator would go a long way in complementing the next executive arm in initiating and passing into law bills capable of driving growth and development across Nigeria.

    The statement reads in part: “Senator Jibrin was first elected in 1999 as a member of House of Representatives which gave him the leverage of belonging to first set of legislators who spearheaded growth and enrichment of the county’s nascent democracy, building it on a solid foundation in the 4th Republic.

    “He chaired various strategic committees and performed excellently well that he won the admiration of many within the political space of Nigeria.

    “He was again in appreciation of his effective representation, elected into the Senate by the good people of Kano North in 2015, 2019 and 2023 and has held chairmanship of important committees such as Appropriation, Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Petroleum Resources, among others.

    “Loyalty and teamwork are vital ingredients for  success in leadership thus, Senator Jibrin is an individual that could be trusted and relied on for ensuring sustainable and mutual synergy and partnership between the executive and the legislative arms of government.

    “The experience garnered by the senator over the years in public service right from his days as a Commissioner for Science and Technology in Kano State up till date will be very useful to the next APC administration to implement key programmes capable of positively changing the fortunes of this great nation.

    “I can assure you that majority of our people in the Northwest and across other zones are of the strong conviction that Senator Barau Jibrin, a man devoid of any controversy, a man whose philanthropic and human development passion cannot be overemphasized, should be the most appropriate person to be next President of the Senate.”

  • Youth groups drum up support for Yari

    Youth groups drum up support for Yari

    The Alliance of Arewa for Asiwaju, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Vanguard and APC National Youth Action Forum are backing former governor of Zamfara State,  Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari for Senate President .

     Convener of the groups,  Abdulkareem Jimeta said that to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams, the country needs to look beyond tribe and religion but towards competence and antecedents in our leaders.

     He said  Yari is a thoroughbred politician with a superb track record of political accomplishments.

     Jimeta said this yesterday in Abuja at a  news conference organised by the groups to show support for Alh. Yari”s ambition.

     He said: “We should learn to look at the country and not any tribe or religion when looking for who can give us the Nigeria of our dream and based on Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari”s track record and political accomplishments, he is the best man for the job.

     “On the other aspects of the other regions like the South-South and South-East, their are many positions that can be zoned to them,

     “When we talk of Nigeria, let’s talk of one nation. The North-West contributed a lot to the emergence of the President-elect Bola Tinubu, so they deserve the seat of Senate Presidency, they provided a block vote from the zone and the only thing that can be given to them is the Senate Presidency.

     “Yari is a good leader who governed Zamfara state very well, he is amongst the best Governor’s the state has ever had. His track record can be seen as a party leader, Governor of his state which made the governors make him the Chairman of the Governors Forum in his time.

     “He is an astute leader with broad-based knowledge of executive and legislative experience having progressed steadily through the political ladder. He has the vision and knows how to turn things around for the benefit of humanity.”

  • Group backs former Zamfara governor for Senate President

    Group backs former Zamfara governor for Senate President

    The Parliamentary Lobby Network in Arewa (PARLNETWORK) has thrown its weight behind former Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari for  Senate President in the 10th National Assembly.

      National Convener of the Group of Principal Parliamentary Aide,Salisu Sabo hailed Senator Yari for joining the race .

     In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Sabo said Yari is a strong contender who will bring his wealth of experience in the 10th National Assembly for the development of the country.

     He said Yari was not only the most qualified for the exalted office, but committed to national development among the aspirants. 

    According to him, the All Progressives Congress (APC)  leadership and President-elect, Bola Tinubu should without hesitation affiirm the former  governor as Senate President for credibility.

     He said Senator Yari is a seasoned leader who is not only widely respected by political leadership of Nigeria, but also a man known on the basic principles of inclusivity, collective prosperity, and consultative leadership.

     “Harping on national interests of peace, stability and unity, Yari was appointed with the position of the Senate President.

     “Senator A.A. Yari is not only known as a green horn in the Executive leadership of Nigeria.

    To a very large extent, he is also revered as a leader who naturally commands respect, and recognition for his Parliamentary leadership prowess, and for his awe-inspiring ability to manage people of all ages, social and political strata. 

    “But most importantly because of his wealth of experience in the Senate, leadership skills and good relationships with all parts of the country spread across all the state capitals of the federation,” he said.

  • Buhari mourns ex-Kano First Lady Ladi Bako

    Buhari mourns ex-Kano First Lady Ladi Bako

    President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the death of Hajiya Ladi Bako, wife of the late Military Governor of the old Kano State, the late Audu Bako.
    The president, in a statement yesterday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, described the late Hajia Bako as one of the most powerful women in the political system during their time.
    He said: “The late Hajiya Ladi was a great lady. She defined an era and will always be remembered for her faithfulness to her family and the Kano community. May Allah give courage and perseverance to those she left behind to bear this irreparable loss.”

  • Probe all govt books, Niger governor-elect urges transition committee

    Probe all govt books, Niger governor-elect urges transition committee

    Niger State governor-elect Umar Bago has urged the transition committee to probe all government books, transactions and commitments, to enable the incoming administration understand the state’s financial and economic standing.

    Bago, while inaugurating the Transition, Inauguration and Secretariat Committees in Minna yesterday, said findings by the committees would be made public. He added that the goal of probing government books, transactions and commitments was not negative or personal, stressing that it is in the interest of Nigerlites as he has pledged to surpass the people’s expectations.

    He said: “Remember, accountability is very important in governance, as the trust of the common man in us gave us this mandate. We have promised Nigerlites to be accountable and responsible, to protect them and our resources, irrespective of tribe, religion or race. To achieve this, we are expected to be professional, diligent and firm. We need the understanding of all and sundry.

    “Let me also remind you that we have no excuse for failure because this is the first major outing of our in-coming administration, and we cannot afford to disappoint the people who are anxiously looking forward to what we have to offer for the improvement of their lives. Every step we take, and everything we do from today onwards, would matter a great deal on how we shall be rated by the people.”

    The transition committee has 62 members, and is chaired by the deputy governor-elect, Comrade Yakubu Garba, and Suleiman Ndanuda as alternate chairman.

    The inauguration committee has 19 members while the secretariat has 22 members.

  • •State gets new Chief Judge

    •State gets new Chief Judge

    Justice Joel Agya has been sworn in as Acting Chief Judge of Taraba State and Justice Alfred Yakubu sworn in as Acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal.

    The ceremony, which was presided by Governor Darius Ishaku, held at the Executive Chambers of the Government House in Jalingo.

    Governor Ishaku said there was need to fill the vacuum created in governance which necessitated their swearing in. He advised the judges to fear God and uphold justice in the discharge of their duties to the people. The governor also charged them to brace up for the challenges ahead and respect the oath they have taken.

    Justice Agya thanked Governor Ishaku for finding them worthy for the appointment, and promised to abide by the oath they have taken. He also assured the people that the common man would have access to justice under his watch.

    Justice Nuhu Adi administered the judicial oath of office on the two judges.

  • Taraba killings: Council chair resigns

    Taraba killings: Council chair resigns

    Caretaker Chairman of Ussa Local Government Area in Taraba State, Abershi Musa, has blamed his resignation on the killings in his area.

    Musa tendered his resignation letter to Darius Governor Ishaku on Wednesday.

    His letter reads: “I write to notify you of my voluntary resignation as caretaker chairman of Ussa LGC, with effect from today April 5, 2023.”

    Musa, while addressing reporters afterwards, said the inhuman attitude and the governor’s inaction over the continued killings by herdsmen in Ussa necessitated his resignation.

    He said: “The inhuman attitude of Governor Ishaku over the killings of my people in Ussa Local Government is the reason why I have resigned as caretaker chairman of the council. I am not hungry so I can’t be chairman while my people are being killed and nothing is done about it.

    “I don’t want to be seen as a compromise in the situation. I want my integrity to be maintained because my people already know who I am. When the situation started months ago, I quickly informed the governor but no action was taken to end the menace. At a joint security meeting again, I drew the governor’s attention but he has up till, as we speak, refused to respond or take action to end the killings.

    “My people are being killed daily for reasons best known to the killers, and their sponsors and Governor Ishaku has persistently refused to comment.

    “Just this week, 15 people were killed, the palace of the Kwe Ando Madugu, the chief of Lisam chiefdom, was attacked and destroyed by angry youths who believed that I and the chief have the capacity to stop the attacks but are not doing so. It is not all about me being chairman; it’s all about the people, the poor masses of the local government. How can I be chairman and watch helplessly when my people are being killed?

    “I didn’t beg for the appointment, the governor called me and I gave him condition that the appointment must be the type that I will touch the lives of my Ussa people. It doesn’t matter whether I am chairman or not, all I want is to stop the killings and let my people farm.”

  • Adamawa police CP warn REC against inciting utterances

    Adamawa police CP warn REC against inciting utterances

    •IPAC seeks REC’s sack

    Commissioner of Police in Adamawa State Afolabi Adeniyi has warned the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa, against utterances cable of inciting public chaos.

    Adeniyi gave the warning after Yunusa alleged threats to his life after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the March 18 governorship election inconclusive and in the countdown to the April 15 rerun.

    Yunusa, at his residence in Bauchi on Tuesday, told reporters that his life was in danger and that Adeniyi could not assure his safety.

    But Adeniyi, in a statement yesterday, said he didn’t tell Yunusa that his safety was not guaranteed.

    The statement, signed by the police spokesperson, Suleiman Nguroje, said the police had deployed enough assets to provide tight security for the REC and INEC facilities.

    Read Also: Three die as gunmen attack Adamawa community

    It reads: “The command’s deployment was massive and highly commendable, as political thugs were warned and denied access to the collation centre. The presence of police and other security agents is a firm determination of the command in creating a secure environment for the electoral process.

    “Such intensified security measure is a further manifestation of the Inspector General of Police’s (IGP) determination to ensure conducive atmosphere and assist in monitoring INEC materials, prevent any attempt to invade its premises, coordinate timely response to distress calls and to clamp down on any threat on the electoral process.”

    The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has asked INEC to delist Yunusa, saying it has lost confidence in him because he had proven himself a partial umpire.

    There has been controversy around Yunusa since a viral video of him asking his election head in Fufore Local Government Area to produce results massively favouring a particular governorship candidate.

    IPAC Chairman Bello Babajo, who led other members to address reporters yesterday, said: “We call on the INEC chairman to remove the commissioner”, adding that IPAC needs a REC whose integrity could be trusted.