As results of the presidential and National Assembly have started trickling in from polling units across Kaduna State, President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has defeated Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at polling unit 024 Ungwan Sarki, Kaduna
At the polling, which is Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai’s voting point, APC scored 369 votes, as against PDP’s 44 votes.
The ruling APC also won the Senate and the House of Representatives seats.
As he mourned the late Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Galadima who was killed by kidnappers, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai of Kaduna State has explained that, his government and the security agents worked strenuously to rescue the traditional ruler from his abductors.
Governor El-Rufai in a statement by his media aide, Samuel Aruwan said, he is pained and heartbroken that criminal elements have taken away from a man who did his best for peace and harmony in Kaduna State.
Governor El-Rufai described Dr. Galadima as a man of peace and a traditional ruler who consistently made positive contributions for the peace and tranquility in his Chiefdom and the entire state.
According to the Governor, “the Kaduna State Government regrets to announce the death of HRH Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Galadima. We mourn this quintessential traditional ruler who was killed by his abductors in the early hours of today.
“We are pained and heartbroken that criminal elements have taken away from us a man who did his best for peace and harmony.
“The Kaduna State Government extends its condolence to the family of this revered leader and to the people of the chiefdom he led with dedication and commitment.
“Following the abduction of the royal father, the security agencies and the government worked strenuously to secure his release. Government is shocked and disappointed by this unfortunate development. The government of Kaduna State and security agencies will pursue justice for this revered man.
“Dr. Galadima was a man of peace, a traditional ruler who consistently made positive contributions for the peace and tranquility in his Chiefdom and the entire state. He was a gentleman to the core.
“Kaduna State has lost a cherished leader. Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai on behalf of the government and people of the state extends deep sympathy to the immediate family and the people of the Adara Chiefdom.
“The government also wishes to appeal for calm in the chiefdom and beyond. The criminal elements that have done this heinous deed should not be allowed to further divide us,” El-Rufai said.
…election cancelled in 2 LGs over violence
As Kaduna State made history on Saturday as the first to introduce electronic voting in Nigeria, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has said that he does not care whether his party wins in the local government elections or not.
The Governor hinged the temporary itches experienced during the Saturday local government polls on last minutes denial of card readers by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
El-Rufai who spoke while addressing newsmen after casting his vote at Ungwan Sarki also announced cancellation of elections in Jabba and Kaura local government areas due to violence that broke out in some of the polling units in the areas.
He said if INEC had briefed the state earlier about the card readers, the state would have included that in the design of electronic voting machine (EVM).
He however said he was satisfied with election process so far, though he regretted the violence in Jabba and Kaura believing to be the stronghold of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“The process has been smooth. I had reports that, two out of the 23 local government would be rescheduled by the electoral body. We envisaged there was going to be crisis there because PDP believes that is their stronghold.
“I came here and got accredited and casted my vote. Unfortunately, INEC denied us card reader so we have to do manual accreditation. The whole voting process was less than 10 seconds.
“I was told there was initial itches with the code and was sorted out and everything now going on smoothly. I think it is a very good process.
“Like I said, if we had know INEC would not give us card reader, we would have included that in the design of the machine since it was possible to do that. But we were assured by INEC that they will give us card reader until the last minutes.”
Commenting on the election, a former Commissioner for LG and Chairman, Zone II, PDP, Shehu Giant described the process at Angwan Sarki as good.
“I have been to other places where we received a lot of complaints whereby machines were not taken to polling units and so on. But here in Kaduna North, where I cast my vote, I can testify there is no any itch,” said Giant.
Meanwhile, our correspondent who monitored the election in parts of Igabi, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Chikun and Kajuru local government areas, all in Kaduna Central Senatorial District reported that the process was generally peaceful, even tough late arrival of materials almost marred the polls.
Also in Kaduna South Senatorial District, reports said, early morning downpour caused delay of the election process, while the exercise was general peaceful in Kaduna North Senatorial District.
However, APC Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani described the whole election process as a drama.
Senator Sani on his Facebook wall said, “The Local Government election about to commence in Kaduna is nothing but a charade.Its a comical drama scripted, produced and directed by the state Government. If APC members cannot get justice from APC Government, what is a non APC member expecting?
He added that, “The election will go the way of the ‘APC ward congresses’, writing list in HOTEL ROOMS and announcing winners. Shame.”
Meanwhile, as at the time of filing this report, results from the various local governments were being awaited.
Kaduna State Commissioner for Education, Professor Andrew Jonathan Nok, is dead.
Born on February 11, 1962 at Nok Village in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Professor Nok was appointed Commissioner for Health and Human Services in August 2015. In that office, he pushed the programme to equip 255 primary health centres with tools to save infants and pregnant women.
Following a cabinet reshuffle, he moved to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in 2016, where has championed the renovation and rehabilitation of schools, the training of teachers and the provision of better learning aids.
The late commissioner was a professor of Biochemistry at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Acknowledged in the science community for his contributions, Professor Nok won the Alexander Humboldt prize in 2013 for his research into finding a cure for trypanosomiasis.
In 2009, he won the NLNG prize for identifying the gene responsible for the enzyme which causes sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis). The Federal Government of Nigeria also honoured him with the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM).
Announcing his death in a statement through his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai said, Professor Nok is “one of the best this country has produced, and one of the most committed persons to have served Kaduna State”.
El-Rufai said, Professor Nok was a man of intellect, ability and deep conviction who will be sorely missed.
According to him, “The Kaduna State Government has announced the death of Professor Jonathan Andrew Nok, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology. Professor Nok died in the early hours of today, 21 November 2017, in Kaduna”.
“We are saddened by the loss of Professor Jonathan Andrew Nok, our respected Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology. Professor Nok was a man of intellect, ability and deep conviction who will be sorely missed.
“Governor Nasir El-Rufai has led members of the State Executive Council to visit and commiserate with the Nok family. In this moment of distress, the government prays God to comfort his family and grant his gentle soul peaceful repose.
“Malam El-Rufai described Professor Nok as “a pillar of the cabinet, a man as distinguished in learning as he was a capable administrator, adept at getting things done and dedicated to the progress of the state.”
“The governor said that “Professor Nok was one of the best this country has produced, and one of the most committed persons to have served Kaduna State. He was steadfast, rigorous and very successful in implementing our project to improve Health and Education in the state. He will be sorely missed.”
A Kaduna State High Court Judge, Justice Bashir Sukola of High Court 10 is dead.
Officials of the State Ministry of Justice and family sources confirmed the death of Justice Sukola.
They said he died at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika, Zaria, on Tuesday night after a brief illness.
Justice Sukola is survived by one wife and many children.
Thousands of sympathisers thronged his family house at Bayajida/Kano Road where ‘Janaiza’ prayer was held, to pay their last respect.
Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai of Kaduna State was among the early callers at Justice Sukola’s family house.
However, our reporter noted that the late Justice was buried at Bachama cemetery, Tudun Wada area of Kaduna metropolis after the prayer Wednesday morning.
Justice Sukola, who has handled many cases, including that of former Correspondent of Vanguard newspaper, Luka Binniyat died at the age of 57.
Luka was dragged before the judge by the state government and charged with alleged false publication in Vanguard on the purported killing of five students of College of Education, Gidan-Waya, Kaduna State.
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has disowned comments by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Saidu that he (El-Rufai) will not recontest the governorship seat in 2019.
Governor El-Rufai said the Chief of Staff’s statements was a misrepresentation of his (El-Rufai) position and that of his government.
The Governor in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Sunday also said what Saidu said was his personal opinion, as he (El-Rufai) will not communicate his decision to run for a second term in 2019 through surrogates, but directly to the people of Kaduna State.
Governor El-Rufai in the statement he titled ‘I will inform the public on second term when I am ready’, said “My attention has been drawn to statements credited to our Chief of Staff which clearly misrepresented his good intentions aimed at encouraging youths in politics and governance of our dear state.”
“What was reported was that I had no plans to run for another term of office, and will be succeeded by someone below the age of 50. Both statements are misrepresentations of my position and the government. It has become imperative that these wrong impressions thereby created be corrected.
“In 2014, when I complied with the directive of our leader President Muhammadu Buhari to run for the office of Governor of Kaduna State, I made the announcement in person. I did not employ surrogates to engage the public on this important decision. What I did not do as an aspirant for office, I will not do as incumbent Governor. I will not communicate my decision to run for a second term in 2019 through surrogates, but directly to the people of Kaduna State.
“Regarding the views ascribed to the Chief of Staff, they are perhaps his personal opinion. I do not wish to be associated with such sentiments. I am of the firm opinion that nobody, no matter the position they hold, can dictate to other citizens what they can or cannot aspire to. No individual can introduce into the electoral process conditions that are not embedded in the laws of our country and the norms of electoral competition.
“The Constitution of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and the APC constitution have no provisions imposing maximum age limits for those aspiring to elective office. I am a strict law-abiding citizen and loyal party member, and will not countenance anyone even hinting at circumscribing constitutional rights. While our administration believes strongly in encouraging youths, evidenced by the number of young people we have appointed into key government positions, we believe that it is the combination of the wisdom of the elderly and the energy of the youth that leads to societal progress.
“While our government will continue to train these young persons in leadership responsibilities, and prepare them for the future, we do not believe that decreeing a generational shift is either lawful or pragmatic. Choice is the prerogative of the voting public which decides at each moment who and what platform they believe best represents their needs.
“Any artificial intrusion into this process can only yield unwanted distortions. And we have already suffered that distortion in Nigeria. When a military government decided to elevate those it called newbreed politicians by curtailing the rights of experienced politicians who were banned from seeking office, it did not improve the quality of our politics. Rather, it monetized the electoral process and left our polity without regard for issue-based platforms.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the choice of who governs Kaduna will depend, not on the age of the person, but his or her acceptability by the leaders of our party first, and ultimately the voters of Kaduna State. At the right time, these choices will be made and not earlier.
“The mid-point of an administration is not the time for politics. We were elected to work for four years. And that is what every appointee of this government must do. I have therefore directed all government appointees aspiring to future political or elective positions to stop putting up posters and billboards in violation of the Electoral Act. KASUPDA is further directed to take down all these as the whistle has not been blown for either national or local government elections campaign or politicking to start yet. KASUPDA is expected to impose the applicable sanctions on any violators.
“Any appointee of our administration that immerses himself or herself into ambitions for 2019, at the expense of the vital public assignments entrusted them will be deemed to have constructively vacated office, and will be relieved of his position. I appeal to all our colleagues in government to comply with this and continue to exercise prudence and commitment in the implementation of our reform and restoration programme,” El-Rufai stated.
As the Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit (KADInvest 2.0) came to a close in Kaduna on Thursday, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai toed the same line with Emir of Kano Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as he said some Northern Nigerian states are as backward as Afghanistan.
This was as Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said, a survey has revealed that, there are more than three million Almajiris in Kano State, majority of whom he said are foreigners from Niger Republic, Chad and other neighbouring African countries.
The two Governors and their Zamfara colleague, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari spoke during the grand finale of the Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit (KADInvest 2.0) in Kaduna on Thursday.
According to Governor El-Rufai, “Yesterday, the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi II, made certain observations about the state of northern Nigeria within the larger Nigeria context. Because the truth of the matter is when you look at human development in the indices of Nigeria, they hide a lot of information, they saw us as middle-income country, they saw that we are making progress in terms of education and health care.
“But when you disaggregate this number and look at them from zone to zone, from State to State, it is very revealing, it shows for, instance, that some States in Nigeria are as backward as Afghanistan in terms of education, health care and opportunities. And many of the States in the North-west are afflicted with these challenges.
“So, unless we recognise that within the larger Nigerian context, we have some common problems in this region. We have the largest number of out-of-school children, we have the largest number of girls not completing basic education, we have the lowest levels of women giving birth in hospitals and health clinics, we have the highest infant mortality rate, we have the highest maternity mortality and morbidity rate.
“Unless we recognise that and come together, and address our common challenges, we will continue to pull Nigeria backward, in my opinion, and that is the last thing we want. And this is why, very early in the administration, we approached ARDP to help us put together a group of thinkers, experienced technocrats to think through these problems and help us map out an agenda because as Dr Bugaje pointed out the North-west has the largest density of water resources in Nigeria, in fact, in the west Africa sub-region.
“So, by constructing small dams and focusing on agriculture, we will be able to feed, not only Nigeria, but most of the sub-regions. Every day, between 12 and 20 trucks come from the Niger Republic to buy maize and soya beans in Kaduna State, for instance. Dauna market in Kano is the largest grains market in the West Africa sub-region, attracting traders from 4-5 countries. So we have an opportunity to build on the long gesture of history of Kano as a commercial centre, Sokoto Caliphate as the centre of learning, and many other natural and artificial endowments to create a viable and sustainable economic area in the North-west. And this is what we have been working.
“For us in Kaduna State, regional integration is inevitable. The first challenge we faced that brought this topic to the table was the security challenge of cattle rustling, kidnapping and rural banditry that afflicted many States in the North-West, and we realised very early along with my colleagues that unless we came together, all seven States of the North-West, and we even brought in Niger State, which is not in the North-West, unless we collaborated together, we will not be able to address these issues holistically because if we attack the bandit in one State, they will just cross over to another State.
“So, I think that was what planted the seed for many of us; the inevitability of regional integration, and we met, and working together with all the other States, we deployed resources to degrade the capability of cattle rustlers which has been successful so far. Cattle rustling are not over, but it has been largely degraded, and that, in my view convinced us in the Kaduna State government that the way to go is to cooperate on every platform along these lines.
Nigeria’s Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo on Friday met stakeholders on the Southern Kaduna killings, saying that the crisis in the region cannot be put to an end in a hurry, because people have developed hate and anger out of the crisis.
The Acting President was in Kaduna to assess the level of progress at the Kaduna International Airport ahead of the proposed diversion of flights from the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja to Kaduna.
However, the meeting he had directed the State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai to convene had in attendance, representatives of the religious bodies, traditional institutions and ethnic groups as well representatives of Fulani community.
He said a quick fix solution would not be apt as the crisis has a long history which he is studying through previous reports of commissions on inquiry, briefing from security agencies and other reports.
According to him, “I will like to begin a discussion on the very terrible crisis that has gone on for a while in Southern Kaduna. Let me say first that there is no question at all that many have suffered, families have lost loved ones, a lot of bloodletting has taken place in Southern Kaduna in the past few weeks and I want to express my sincere condolence to all of those who have lost families and friends and who have been traumatized by the terrible things that have been going on in Southern Kaduna in the past few months.
“But I must say there’s no question whatsoever that violence would never stop any of the problems we are experiencing today, there’s no way we will resolve it that way. On this matter I have read documents; quite a few of the reports, as a matter of fact, I have tried very hard to study the crisis in Southern Kaduna, personally, I have read quite a few documents including reports of past crises, recently I have taken briefings from the service chiefs a couple of days ago on what is going and since I got in today, I am also taking briefing form some of the senior officials of the armed forces and state security.
And I want to say that I don’t want us to be in a hurry, I am certainly not in a hurry because I don’t believe that a crisis where there is so much blood letting and hatred over the years can be resolved by a couple of meetings, no, I don’t believe that is possible.
“I have talked to his Excellency the governor, that what I would like to achieve is not a quick fix but I want us to begin a process and I want to be a part of that process that will listen to each group separately and then get everyone together.
And I want us to respect those who have lost their lives that we are not trying to fix something quick, we are not trying to resolve it now however it is resolved and pretend all is well. We will take our time and as I said, to sift through whatever is required so we can find a proper and lasting solution.
Professor Osinbajo, who told the stakeholders that he had taken enough security briefing on the Southern Kaduna crisis, however noted that, violence, enmity and hate cannot solve the problem, but process of peace building must commence to gradually face out the crisis.
According to him, “I have been briefed by security Chiefs about the crisis in Southern Kaduna, even as I arrived here today, the security Chiefs here have also briefed me. Local government Chairmen has briefed me. But, the crisis in Southern Kaduna cannot be ended in a hurry, because there is hate and anger.
“But, how many more lives do we want to lose before we stop this crisis? We must therefore strive to put an end to this, otherwise it will consume everybody.
“Violence, enmity and hate cannot solve the problem we are going through. We must therefore begin a process of peace building”, he said.
Osinbajo however promised to convene meetings with representatives of CAN, JNI, MACBAN and other stakeholders separately.
Governor El-Rufai in his opening remarks swore to God that, his administration will fish out and prosecute those who have participated in the killings or instigated killings in Kaduna State in the last 37 years.
“Ladies and gentlemen that we invited here, I will like to say that you are here on the invitation of the vice president. There are some who were not invited for the reasons that they know, because, we suspect they are behind some of these problems and we do not intend as state government to give legitimacy to anyone under investigation for being behind some of these problems.
He said, his government has identified bringing culprits to book, deployment of security and commencement of peace building efforts as panacea to permanently ending the Southern Kaduna crisis.
El-Rufai however commended the Acting President for his usual assistance to the state government in its efforts to establish military formations in the troubled zone and securing the state at large.
Meanwhile stakeholders who spoke at the meeting, like the CAN Chairman Bishop George Dodo, Agwan Atakad, representative of the JNI, Alhaji Sanusi Maikudi and National Assistant Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Ibrahim Abdullahi traced the crisis to 2011 post-election violence and suggested ways out.
CAN chairman, Rev. George Dodo thanked the acting president and the state governor for their intervention in finding lasting peace in Southern Kaduna and prayed that those behind the violence would be apprehended and brought to book
Representative of JNI in Kaduna State, Alhaji Sanusi Maikudi blamed the crisis on the inability of the previous government to fish out those behind the crisis and failure to act on the recommendations of commissions of inquiry.
He said the night attacks on communities started in Jaba local government of the state as result of the fallout of the 2011 post-election violence where he said a report documented that 80 percent of the persons killed were from Southern Kaduna and 35, Muslims were displaced in 18 communities and that only 5 percent have been able to return.
Earlier, while fielding questions from journalists shortly after inspecting Kaduna International Airport ahead of flights diversion from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Acting President Osinbajo told journalists that international communities have been
sensitized to endure the temporary arrangement.
This was just as he said that all contractors handling various works
regarding the Kaduna Airport have been given matching order to ensure speedy conclusion of works as scheduled.
He said, “We are here to inspect the progress of work at Kaduna Airport because we deserve the temporal substitute for Abuja airport for both local and international flights.
“We are looking at the state of readiness considering that this is always a local airport and for that, alot of work need to be done to bring it to the kind of standard that will be required .
“The Work has made considerable progress, honestly the work has made
considerable progress, but there is quite a bit to do.
“It is going to be completed over this weekend like the ceiling, air conditioning and all that, security facilities. So we think that, it may not be in a complete state of readiness by Wednesday. I expect that within a very short period of time the airport will be very usable and comfortable state.
“We asked people working on the airport to quickly speed up or to double the number of people who are working on the ceiling and some other facilities, they certainly need to work much faster and much more diligently to be able to deliver on scheduled.
“One thing that is very clear is that not all foreign airlines declined. Some airlines are willing to come to Kaduna CAN chairman, Rev. George Dodo thanked the acting president and the state governor for their intervention in finding lasting peace in Southern Kaduna and prayed that those behind the violence would be apprehended and brought to o book.
“I think that, foreign airlines will, but what we need to tell them is that obviously this is a temporary arrangement and they should really work with us on the temporary arrangement.
“We are concerned about safety and comfort as they are. They are here also to see for themselves, and I am sure you have seen some of them. So, we will be happy if they work with us, and if they see this as temporary, they should be able to cope with the flights inconveniences here and there. So we are persuading them that this is a good temporary arrangement”.
As a group of Kaduna based Nigerians, commenced a national prayer for God’s intervention in the President Muhammadu Buhari led government, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai of Kaduna State has said that, the All Progressives Congress (APC) cannot afford to fail Nigerians.
Worried by the state of the nation, the group under the auspices of Abdullah Network Communication said the national prayer was aimed at seeking divine assistance for President Muhammadu Buhari led government in its quest to develop Nigeria.
The spiritual exercise which was kick-started in Kaduna with Muslims and Christians praying for the country in two respective sessions is expected to be taken round the six get-political zones of the country, with the next one taking place in Ibadan, South-west Nigeria.
Speaking at the event held at Arewa House, Kaduna, Governor El-Rufai who was represented by the Director-General Interfaith Bureau, Engr. Namadi Musa commended the group for its efforts, saying the President Muhammadu Buhari led government is a product of prayers by Nigerians.
He however said that, what the government at the Federal and states level requires is continuous prayers to successfully achieve its goal of delivering positive change desired by Nigerians.
El-Rufai said, the present government cannot afford to disappoint Nigerians, because prayers of Nigerians and their resolve to do away with bad governance of the previous administration brought the APC government on board. “Therefore, it will be more painful if this government fails Nigerians”.
“So, we are aware of the enormous tasks and responsibilities on our shoulders as a government. With your prayers and support, the President Muhammadu Buhari led government will not fail Nigerians,” he said.
Speaking after the prayer, the leader of group, Comrade Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje said, the resolved to embark on the prayer was informed by the ‘negative’ state of the nation.
He said, his group had observed that, it has almost become a national chorus on the lips of Nigerians that the country needs prayer, but nobody seems to be ready to take the lead and embark on the prayer. “That is why we decided to take the lead and pray for our dear country and its leadership.”
According to Alawuje, many of us in the group belief in the commitment, passion and resolve of President Muhammadu Buhari to move this country to a greater height, and we voted for him, but unfortunately, we have not seen the change we vote for.
“We are very much aware that, it is not as if our President is not doing anything to fix this country, but the results of his efforts are not visible. That is why we are praying against any form of sabotage that is denying Nigerians the dividends of President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts to make life better for the people.
“We are also praying for the movement that brought President Muhammadu Buhari to power. Though unconfirmed, we are hearing that, there is feud between the President and the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We pray that God intervenes and make them settle their differences, because that alone can have negative impact on the APC and the nation at large.
“We are not stopping here, we are taking the prayer to every of the six geo-political zones of the country and after Kaduna which we just finished now, our next point of call is Ibadan, Oyo State capital, for South-west Zone,” he explained.