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  • Kwankwaso, NNPP behind Ganduje’s ‘suspension’ from APC, Basiru alleges

    Kwankwaso, NNPP behind Ganduje’s ‘suspension’ from APC, Basiru alleges

    The National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has accused last year’s presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the party of orchestrating the purported suspension of APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje from the party.

    Basiru spoke during APC Osun Central senatorial meeting at the party’s secretariat yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital.

    The APC national secretary frowned at the purported suspension of Ganduje from the party, saying it was the handiwork of a dying political party.

    He said: “The so-called suspension is a circus orchestrated by Kwakwanso and his dying political party. It is not known to our party. The Kano High Court that gave the initial injunction had vacated the interim injunction.

    Read Also: ‘Your days of worrying are over’

    “There is also a Federal High Court injunction that said the position of the national chairman should continue pending the determination of the case. I’m also aware that the authentic Exco of the party in that ward had petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on the act of criminality by those who forged and purported to be members and officials of the party.

    “Even the so-called spokesperson has a poster contesting for the position of a councillor. So, as far as I’m concerned, it is a circus put forward by Kwakwanso and the dying drama of a drowning politician.”

    Also, Basiru hailed President Bola Tinubu over the 25 per cent and 35 per cent increment in the salary of workers.

    He said: “The increment of wage is well thought out. It is something that is sustainable and it is a welcome development, to be able to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy.”

  • UPDATED: Ganduje’s suspension: Court fixes May 27 for hearing

    UPDATED: Ganduje’s suspension: Court fixes May 27 for hearing

    A High Court in Kano on Tuesday fixed May 27, 2024, for hearing of three applications in the case of the suspension of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje.

    The court sitting at Audu Bako secretariat, presided by Justice Usman Na’abba, listened to counsels from both parties before setting the date to enable both parties serve their processes and for hearing of the three applications.

    The applications are preliminary objection, joinder application, and challenge of the jurisdiction of the court to entertain and hear the matter.

    The applicants, Haladu Gwanjo and Laminu Sani Barguma through their counsel, Ibrahim Abdullahi Sa’ad filed a motion exparte with 13 paragraph affidavit dated April 16 sworn by the second applicant.

    The applicants are seeking the Court to determine an order of interim injunction on Ganduje’s suspension.

    The court had on 17th April granted an order directing parties to maintain the status quo as of the 15th day of April 2024, about the suspension of the fourth respondent from the first respondent by the Ganduje Ward executive committee restraining the respondents whether by themselves, servants, agents, privies from taking any step contrary to the decision of the executive committee of Ganduje Ward which suspends the fourth respondent from the first respondent political party pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

    At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, counsel to the applicant, Ibrahim Sa’ad, said they were served with the counter affidavit by the respondent Tuesday morning in court.

    He asked for another date to enable them respond to the application.

    Counsel to the first, second, and third respondents did not object to the request made by the counsel to the applicant for a new date to be given.

    “We have filed and served all parties our motion dated April 24 challenging the jurisdiction of this Court to entertain this matter.”

    Counsel to the fourth respondent, Lydia Oyewo, did not also object to the new date but told the court that her client had not been served with the court processes.

    Read Also: Court to hear suit seeking Ganduje’s suspension May 27

    “We have not been served with the processes of the Court. The plaintiff is in contempt of the court because they have failed with the order of the Court directing him to serve all the defendants in the matter.”

    “Particularly, we are appearing out of respect to the court. Our client has not been served so we could not file any processes before the Court.

    “However, we have been unable to compile and transmit records. In essence, the court of appeal is not yet seized with the jurisdiction for the matter and then this court to determine and continue with the matter pending when we do the needful.

    “This is an intra-party matter and the court has held severally to even to the apex court that the court does not have jurisdiction to hear and determine intra-party matters that have to do with leadership, membership, and discipline of members.”

  • Court to hear suit seeking Ganduje’s suspension May 27

    Court to hear suit seeking Ganduje’s suspension May 27

    A Kano State High Court on Tuesday, adjourned until May 27, to hear three applications in the ongoing case seeking the  suspension of the  National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje.

    The applicants Haladu Gwanjo and Laminu Sani-Barguma, through their counsel,  Ibrahim Sa’ad,filed a Motion Ex-Parte together with 13 paragraph affidavit in support and a written address dated April 16, sworn to by the second applicant Barguma.

    The applicants who claimed to be the Chairman and Secretary respectively of APC in Ganduje Ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Kano, are seeking the court to determine an order of interim injunction on Ganduje’s suspension.

    The respondents in the suit are: the APC National Working Committee, State Executive Committee of the party Kano Chapter and Ganduje.

    When the case came up for hearing, Counsel to the applicants, Mr Ibrahim Sa’ad, informed the court that he was served with the counter affidavit by the respondents this morning in court.

    “We ask for another date to enable us respond to the application” Sa’ad said

    Counsel to the 1st, second and third respondents, Mr M M Duru, told the court that he have filed and served all parties motion on notice dated April 24,  challenging the jurisdiction of the court to trial and entertain the matter.

    Counsel to Ganduje, Mrs Lydia Oyewo, informed the court that she was not served with the court processes.

    Read Also: No vacancy in 2027, Ganduje mocks NNPP, leaders

    “The applicants did not comply with the order of the court directing them to serve all the respondents with all the processes.

    “We have not been served so we could not file any processes before the court.

    we are appearing out of respect to the court.

    “This matter is an intra party matter and the court has held severally to even to the apex court that the court does not have jurisdiction to hear and determine intra party matters that has to do with leadership, membership and discipline of members” Oyewo said

    Responding, Counsel to applicants seeking to be joined, Mr Shamsu Jibrin, told the court he filed a motion dated April 24, seeking to be joined in the suit as applicants.

    Justice Usman Na’Abba, adjourned the matter until May 27, for hearing in the joinder application and preliminary objection.

    NAN reports that the court had on April 17, granted and order directing parties to maintain status qou ante as at April 15, in relation to the suspension of Ganduje from the APC by the Ganduje Ward Executive Committee pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
    (NAN)

  • NNPP sponsoring Kano APC crisis, says Ganduje

    NNPP sponsoring Kano APC crisis, says Ganduje

    •State’s commission probing ex-governor begins sitting

    • Court to rule on state’s suit against APC national chair May 16

    The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, yesterday accused the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State of masterminding the crisis in the state chapter of his party.

    Ganduje said this while addressing different groups and a large crowd of party supporters on solidarity walk to the APC national secretariat in Abuja to declare their support for the national chairman and the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    The national chairman said the NNPP and its chieftains in Kano State were afraid of further defeat, having suffered debilitating defeat in last year’s general election.

    He said: “They are so afraid because we are consolidating. They are so afraid all over the country because we are receiving new entrants into our party. That is creating fears in their minds. They are already eyeing 2027, but by that time, there will be no vacancy. Only our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will, in shaa Allah, continue as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

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    Dismissing the antics of the opposition, especially in Kano State, Ganduje urged the crowd and APC supporters to ignore what he called political “Africa Magic drama”.

    “We urge you to be committed to our party so that our party will continue to forge ahead.

    “We have heard your commitment and speeches and we understand your mission. The whole drama, the political rascality started from Kano with the government. Instead of responding to the yearnings, needs, and demands of the people of Kano State, they decided to divert attention. 

    “Our eyes are on those who are diverting our attention to political propaganda against the APC. Can we allow them to continue like that? We understand what they are doing. It is a political drama.”

    The Convener of the solidarity walk, Prof. Salihu Ahmad Alizaga, said the loyal party men and women were at the APC national secretariat to show solidarity with President Tinubu and Ganduje.

    Also, the Judicial Commission of Enquiry set up by Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf to probe Ganduje held its inaugural sitting yesterday.

    During the sitting at the State High Court Number Three at Audu Bako Secretariat in Kano, the chairman, Justice Faruk Adamu, said the commission was inaugurated on April 4 to “recover misappropriated public properties and assets”.

    He gave May 29, 2015 to May 29, 2023 as the period under review for the recovery, which represents the two terms of Ganduje as governor of Kano State.

    Also, a High Court in Kano State yesterday fixed May 16 for ruling on whether or not the court will allow service through substituted means to the respondents in the case between the state government and Dr. Ganduje and eight others.

    Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat, and son, Umar, as well as five others, are defendants in the suit.

    They were expected to be arraigned on eight count charges bordering on a $413,000 bribery allegation, diversion and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N1.38 billion, and abuse of office, among other allegations.

    But the presiding judge, Justice Usman Na’Abba, after listening to arguments and counter-arguments on whether or not the respondents could be served through alternative means, fixed May 16 for his ruling on the applications.

  • No vacancy in 2027, Ganduje mocks NNPP, leaders

    No vacancy in 2027, Ganduje mocks NNPP, leaders

    The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Monday told opposition parties that there is no vacancy in the presidency in 2027.

    He spoke while addressing some support groups and party supporters on solidarity walk at the national secretariat to declare support for the Chairman and the National Working Committee (NWC).

    Ganduje accused the leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and its chieftains in Kano State of sponsoring protest and campaign for his removal as the National Chairman of the APC.

    He noted that NNPP and its chieftains were afraid of another defeat in 2027.

    The former Kano Governor said: “They are so afraid because we are consolidating. They are so afraid all over the country because we are receiving new entrants into our party. That is creating fears in their minds. They are already eyeing 2027, but that time, there is no vacancy. Only our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will, Insh-Allah, continue as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    Dismissing all the antics of the opposition, Ganduje urged the crowd and APC supporters to ignore what he described as Africa magic drama.

    “We urge you to be committed to our party so that our party will continue to forge ahead.

    “We have heard your commitment and speeches, and we understand your mission. The whole drama, political rascality, started from Kano with the government. Instead of responding to the yearnings, needs, and demands of the people of Kano state, they decided to divert attention.  

    “Our eyes are on those who are diverting our attention to political propaganda against the APC. Can we allow them to continue like that? We understand what they are doing. It is a political drama.

    “What they are doing is African magic drama in order to convey a failed programme and projects by failed politicians. We will not allow them to continue with that. 

    “They are also sponsoring pockets of diffident protest from all over the country. They are spending a huge amount of money in order for people to demonstrate against the leadership of our party. It is a complete failure from what we have seen all over the country. 

    “Now, you should know that they are sponsored by the Kano State Government. And they are a small party. They are a micro party. They are a party that is terribly defeated all over the country. It is a party that is breaking down. It is a party that is a mixture of failed politicians. 

    Read Also: Court to rule on Ganduje vs Kano state May 16

    “If you follow what is happening in that party, you will find out that it is a party that is sharply divided between those who are authentic members of the party and those who are fake members of the party individualistic and so arrogant in the management of the political party.”

    Convener of the solidarity walk, Prof. Salihu Ahmad Alizaga, said loyal party men and women in thousands converged to show solidarity with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Chairman of APC.

    He said: “As faithful party men and women, we unequivocally pass a vote of ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President, Commander in Chief of Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria and our Egalitarian National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for their jobs well done. Our support for the two of you is one hundred percent. 

    “We are confident that those who want the National Chairman removed are those who are interested in unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. We can not sacrifice competence in the altar of mediocrity.”

  • Court to rule on Ganduje vs Kano state May 16

    Court to rule on Ganduje vs Kano state May 16

    A High Court in Kano state on Monday fixed May 16, 2024 for ruling on whether the court will allow service through substituted means to respondents in the case between the Kano state government and former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and eight others.

    Ganduje, his wife Hafsat and son Umar and five others, who are defendants in the suit, were expected to be arraigned on eight count charges bordering on a $413,000 bribery allegation, diversion and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N1.38bn and abuse of office among other allegations.

    But the presiding judge, Justice Usman Na’abba, after listening to arguments and counter arguments on whether the respondents could be served using alternative means, fixed May 16 for his ruling on the applications.

    During hearing on Monday, the prosecution counsel, Adeola Adedigbe, SAN, said a criminal charge can be effected by substituted means.

    “Section 378 sub section 5 of the Kano State ACJL provides that the application for leave may be brought before the Court on the effect of substituted service.

    “Service on the defendant may be through his legal practitioner, surety and adult in his house,” he submitted.

    Legal counsel standing in for respondent number six, Lamash Properties Limited, Nuraini Jimoh, SAN, argued that respondents in a criminal case cannot be served through substitute means.

    However, the counsel for the state government, Adeola Adedigbe, made reference to a Kano state law 378/5 that allows service in criminal cases to be made using substitute means.

    Jimoh described the Kano state law as ‘Ultra Vires’ and inferior to the Nigerian Constitution that restricts such action. He explained that the Nigeria law says that service of criminal charge is on the exclusive legislative list.

    “Hence, the Kano state Assembly law that allows service of criminal summons by substitute means is Ultra Vires” he stated.

    He further argued that there is no charge before the court against the respondents as the application before it reads “Application to prepare a charge”.

    Read Also: Tinubu is contending with disjointed decisions of previous administrations – Ganduje

    He described the legal process as having to include the police who will make an arrest, get a statement, the First Information Report, keep the suspect in detention or release him on bail, depending on whether the criminal case involves manslaughter, rape or murder and then arraign arraign him before a court of law.

    He added that the attempt to make the court allow service by substitute means, when no effort has been made to reach the respondents, makes the service taken transfer its responsibility to the court. He added that it is a violation of the Sec 36 of the constitution.

    The prosecution counsel argued that the defense counsel’s submission was premature and preemptive.

  • Kano commission probing Ganduje begins sitting

    Kano commission probing Ganduje begins sitting

    The Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Abba Yusuf to probe his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Monday, April 29, had its inaugural sitting.

    During the sitting, held at High Court No 3, Audu Bako Secretariat, Kano, the chairman of the commission, Justice Faruk Adamu, said the commission was inaugurated on April 4 to “recover misappropriated public properties and assets.”

    He gave May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, as the period under review for recovery, which represents the two terms of Abdullahi Ganduje as governor of Kano state.

    The commission said the meeting was preparatory to public hearings coming up in a few days.

    The chairman said the commission will review the sale, disposal or allocation of all government-owned properties, institutional buildings including school buildings, government hospitals, praying grounds, historical and cultural sites and monuments, graveyards, and other open land or spaces within Kano Urban Area or other urban lands in other parts of the country belonging to Kano State from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023.

    The commission will also, among other terms, provide a comprehensive inventory of all such affected properties, to determine the cost or value at which such sales or allocations were made and also provide the estimated current market value of such properties.

    To determine the individuals, companies, agencies or entities to which such sales, disposal or allocations were made whether such properties have changed hands and if so to whom.

    To determine if any abuses have been perpetrated in the process of such sale, disposal or allocations and identify the officials or persons responsible for such abuses.

    Read Also: Return N250m ‘mobilisation’ to Kano, group tells anti-Ganduje protesters

    Also, to determine the role of government ministries, departments and agencies or particular government officials in the process of such sales, disposal or allocations and determine their responsibility or culpability in any abuses or breaches of relevant laws and regulations.

    To make recommendations on the recovery of any government properties, any farmlands, prayer grounds, graveyards, historical or cultural sites or monuments and other open spaces belonging to members of the public or institutional building found to be improperly sold, disposed of or allocated to any individual, company or entity.

    Members of the commission include Justice Faruk Adamu (Chairman), Barr, Abdulkarim Maude, Prof Ibrahim Bello, Hamza Madaki, M. H. Gano and Salisu Mustapha (Secretary).

    Other members are Arch. Ibrahim Yakubu (MD KNUPDA), Salisu Mohammed (Representing the Nigeria Police Force), Yahaya Garba (Representing Nig. Security and Civil Defence), Ibrahim Kagara (ICPC, Kano), Kabiru Dakata (Representative of Civil Society) and Ibrahim Aikawa (representing Trade Unions).

    The commission’s chairman, Justice Faruk Adamu said the panel was not established to witch-hunt or prosecute anybody.

    He said: “Rather, it is on a fact-finding mission and at the end of our findings we will submit a set of recommendations to the State Government for possible implementation.

    “I wish to assure all and sundry that the commission will be just and give a fair hearing to all the parties involved, be it individuals, companies, agencies or entities.”

  • Return N250m ‘mobilisation’ to Kano, group tells anti-Ganduje protesters

    Return N250m ‘mobilisation’ to Kano, group tells anti-Ganduje protesters

    A group, the Concerned North Central APC Stakeholders, has distanced itself from a protest calling for the resignation of Umar Ganduje as the party’s national chairman. 

    The stakeholders, in a joint statement by Secretary General Malam Shehu Ibrahim and President Comrade Aodona Patrick, advised the group to return the N250m bribe allegedly received from the State Government. 

    The group said those behind the protests are its expelled members who have found a new enterprise in blackmailing reputable Nigerians for money. 

    According to the statement, the Kano State Government offered them millions to protest and defame the APC national chairman. 

    The stakeholders noted their main mission is for Ganduje to be removed from office on the order of President Bola Tinubu. 

    Like the previous attempts, the APC stalwarts said they failed and should do the needful by returning the funds to the State Government. 

    “We wish to categorically make it clear that those protesters calling for the resignation of Alhaji Ganduje as APC chairman are not our members,” the statement said. 

    Read Also: Court restrains APC ward leaders from suspending Ganduje

    “They are disgraced members who were expelled over criminal activities. We are not surprised that they have taken this satanic craft to the next level.

    “These days, they blackmail reputable Nigerians for money and were recently contracted by the Kano State government to rubbish Ganduje. 

    “However, their mission failed even before it began. Nigerians are fully aware of their sponsors but the surprise for many is that as much as N250m was earmarked for this futile agenda. 

    “Our findings reveal that these persons were short-changed by desperate forces in Kano Government House who took advantage of their vulnerability. When this was brought to our attention, we asked them to return the funds. Unfortunately, out of greed they have used part of it.”

    The group warned these elements to stop impersonating them, adding that a criminal complaint has been filed officially. 

    The stakeholders thanked President Tinubu for not falling for the gimmicks of the Kano State Government and standing by Ganduje. 

  • Court restrains APC ward leaders from suspending Ganduje

    Court restrains APC ward leaders from suspending Ganduje

    A Federal High Court in Kano State yesterday restrained the executive members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Ganduje Ward from suspending the party’s national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.

     The court, presided by Justice A. M Liman ordered the restraint pending the hearing and determination of a suit filed by Ganduje for enforcement of his fundamental rights.

     Respondents in the suit include Basiru Nuhu Isah, the Nigeria Police Force, the Commissioner of Police in Kano, Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Service (DSS).

     A faction of the APC in Ganduje Ward, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of the state had announced the suspension of Dr. Ganduje, citing allegations of corruption and bribery during his eight-year tenure as governor of the state.

     Ganduje thereafter approached the court through his counsel, Hadiza Ahmed, seeking the enforcement of his fundamental rights to fair hearing and freedom of association.

    Read Also; I survived fighting Boko-Haram, Niger Delta militants, IPOB – Anambra CP

     The lawyer buttressed his submission pursuant to the Enforcement and Procedure Rules, 2009, as subsumed under Section 46 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

    Justice Liman gave the order after hearing of an ex parte application moved by the lawyer.

     The judge also directed all the parties in the suit to maintain status quo before the purported emergency meeting of the said executive members of APC Ganduje Ward, and to stay all action in respect of the matter, pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice.

     Justice Liman said: “All the respondents, their servants, agents or privies are hereby restrained from implementing and or given effect to the purported decision reached during the purported Emergency Meeting of the alleged Executive Members of APC Ganduje Ward, on the 20 April, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application for the enforcement of fundamental rights of the Applicant.”

  • Court restrains APC ward leaders from suspending Ganduje

    Court restrains APC ward leaders from suspending Ganduje

    A Federal High Court in Kano State on Saturday restrained the acclaimed executive members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Ganduje Ward from suspending the party’s national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.

    The court, presided by Justice A. M Liman ordered the restraint pending the hearing and determination of a suit filed by Ganduje for enforcement of his fundamental rights.

    Respondents in the suit include Basiru Nuhu Isah, the Nigeria Police Force, the Commissioner of Police in Kano, Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Service (DSS).

    A faction of the APC in Ganduje ward, Dawakin Tofa local government area had announced the suspension of Ganduje, citing allegations of corruption and bribery during his eight-year tenure as Governor.

    Ganduje approached the court through his counsel, Hadiza Ahmed, seeking the enforcement of his fundamental rights to fair hearing and freedom of association.

    The lawyer buttressed his submission pursuant to the Enforcement and Procedure Rules, 2009, as subsumed under Section 46 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

    Justice Liman gave the order after hearing of an ex parte application moved by the lawyer.

    The judge also directed all the parties in the suit to maintain status quo before the purported emergency meeting of the said executive members of APC Ganduje Ward, and to stay all action in respect of the matter, pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice.

    Justice Liman said: “All the respondents, their servants, agents or privies are hereby restrained from implementing and or given effect to the purported decision reached during the purported Emergency Meeting of the alleged Executive Members of APC Ganduje Ward, on the 20 April, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application for the enforcement of fundamental rights of the Applicant.”