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Tag: Kano

  • APC: Kano, Niger join Lagos for direct primary

    More state chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have joined Lagos to adopt the direct primary option to pick their candidates for next year’s elections.

    Kano and Niger states yesterday voted for the option in which all card-carrying members of the party will pick candidates for elective offices.

    The primaries are scheduled for between September 20 when the presidential primary will hold and October 2, when the House of Assembly candidates will be picked.

    The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) last Thursday adopted direct primary “to take the party to its members” who will vote for candidates of their choice.

    It, however, granted a concession to states with peculiarities that will make it imposible to implement direct primary to adopt either indirect primary or the consensus option.

    They must, however, apply to the National Working Committee (NWC) with evidence of approval of the State Working Committee (SWC) and critical stakeholders.

    Yesterday, party leaders and stakeholders in many states met to decide on the options.

    Announcing the decision in Kano, State Chairman Abdullahi Abbas said the decision would improve the stock of the APC in the 2019 election as well as other elections.

    He added that “the decision was unanimously endorsed by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Senators Kabiru Gaya and Barau Jibrin, 13 members of the House of Representatives led by Chief Whip Alhassan Ado Doguwa.

    “Others are 33 members of the House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Kabiru Al Hassan Rurum, 53 state Executive Committee members of the party, 44 elected local council chairmen and 44 local government chairmen and secretaries of the party.”

    Niger State said the decision was taken so that every bonafide member would participate in the process of picking candidates.

    State Secretary Mohammed Liman told reporters that the party was prepared for all the primaries, adding that its membership record would be accurate and up to date.

    Although the decision on direct primary was taken by Lagos State Stakeholders last month before that mode of primary was descided by the NEC, state Chairman Babatunde Balogun reaffirmed yesterday that the postion had not changed.

    “We are sticking to our decision,” he said on the telephone.

    Ogun State adopted direct primary at its meeting yesterday but as a back-up to the consensus mode they opted for.

    The communique issued at the end of the State Executive Committee/ stakeholders meeting by Publicity Secretary Wole Elegbede said “The APC in Ogun State shall have a consensus primary for all elective positions in the 2019 elections. Where consensus fails, a direct primary will be used to choose a candidate for such a position.”

    Kebbi State also adopted consensus.

    At its meeting yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Atiku Bagudu were unabimously endorsed to run for fresh terms.

    Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, who announced the decision, said where consensus fails, indirect primary will be used to pick candidates.

    The Ondo State chapter of the party voted for indirect primary after a meeting attended by Governor Rotimi Akerdolu and Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi.

    House of Assembly Speaker Bamidele Oloyelogun moved the

    motion for indirect primary, which was seconded by Owo Local Government Chairman Sydney Ogunleye.

    Senator Tayo Alasuadura said Indrect primary would be in the interest of the members. But Ondo North Senator Ajayi Boroffice said he was not aware of the meeting.

    Other states – Sokoto, Plateau, Nasarawa, Borno, Yobe and Zamfara  – adopted indirect primary.

    The stakeholders in almost all the states adopted Buhari’s candidature.

    Sokoto State Deputy Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, who described Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko as the party’s leader, told reporters after the meeting, which he presided over, that “ the meeting also expressed happiness with the exemplary and unparalleled way Senator Wamakko is running the affairs of the great party .

    “Accordingly, we endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s sole presidential candidate.”

    Borno State Deputy Governor Usman Mamman Durkwa presided over the meeting in the absence of Governor Kashim Shetimma, who is on an international assignment in Germany.

    Senator Abubakar Kyari, Mohammed Tahir Monguno  and Speaker Abdulkareem Lawal spoke on behalf of their colleagues.

    Senator Ali Ndume moved the motion for the adoption of indirect primaries. It was seconded by Hon. Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir (Damboa/Chibok/Gwoza Federal Constituency).

  • Kano PDP rejects dissolution of its executive committee

    The Peoples Democratic Party in Kano state, has rejected in totality the purported dissolution of the state executive committee by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

    Mr Sarki Labaran, a chieftain of the party declared the stand of party stakeholders while addressing hundreds of supporters who converged on the state Headquarters of the party on Monday in Kano.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Labaran spoke on behalf of the executive committee members of the party who were also present at occasion.

    He said it was unfortunate that the PDP National Working Committee took the decision despite the court order retraining it from taking the action.

    “The Peoples Democratic Party in Kano state has rejected the dissolution of the state executive committee as the action was a complete violation of the court order which was issued on Aug. 28.

    He wondered why the National Working Committee of the party took the decision knowing fully well that the state party leaders were elected to serve a four year tenure.

    “The state party leadership including its elders and all other stakeholders have condemned the action in its entirety and will not accept the injustice,” he said.

    He accused former governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso who defected to PDP from APC of trying to have full control of the party in the state for his selfish interest.

    “The party has been doing very well before Kwankwaso and others joined the party. He want to cause problem to the party,” he said.

    Also speaking at the occasion, former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Gambo Sallau challenged the National leadership of the party to come out and explain reasons behind the dissolution of the state executive committee of the party.

    NAN reports that the occasion was attended by various party stakeholders including state Deputy chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim KT, Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Musa Danbirni as well as gubernatorial aspirants, among others.

    NAN recalls that a Kano State High Court presided over by Justice N S. Umar, had on Aug. 28, restrained the National and state leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from restructuring Kano state chapter of the party.

    However, despite the court order, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP on Friday dissolved the Kano State Executive Committee of the party under Sen Mas’ud El-Jibril Doguwa.

    The NWC of the party announced the dissolution of the Kano Executive committee in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan on Friday in Abuja.
    No reason was also given for the action which had generated a lot of controversy and plunged the party into crisis. (NAN)

  • Kano PDP rejects dissolution of state exco

    The Kano State Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), on Monday  rejected the dissolution of the executive of the party.

    Addressing party members at the state secretariat along Maiduguri road on behalf of gubernatorial aspirants, Engr Sarki Labaran said the action of the national headquarters of the party is illegal and cannot stand.

    The other aspirants are Malam Salihu Sagir Takai and  Sadik Aminu Wali

    Labaran frowned at the manner the former Governor of the state, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has been conducting himself since he rejoined the party, accusing him of causing disaffection in the once peaceful party.

    The former Commissioner during the tenure of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau stated that national body contradicted itself by the dissolution, noting that since the state executive elected members of the National Working Committee , the NWC should also be dissolved.

    Read Also: Kaduna Speaker declares to run for House of Reps

    Labaran who wondered why such action should be taken by the national executive of the party, noted that the tenure of the  party executive has not expired and they were not found wanting in anyway that would warrant the dissolution.

    The State Deputy Chairman of the party, Alhaji Ibrahim KT who equally spoke at the solidarity rally, also frowned at the sudden dissolution, saying “we are not in support of such dissolution. We are in support of the Masaud El-jibrin Doguwa led leadership of the party in the state.”

    “We cannot allow somebody to come and hijack the party in which we suffered to build and we will not agree for the dissolution of the 484 wards”.

    Meanwhile, the State Chairman of the party Doguwa in an interview said that he remains the chairman as he has not been informed of the said dissolution.

    “ Nobody has the power to unilaterally dissolve our exco, this cannot stand and will never stand, because its unconstitutional”

    On the court order restraining the national headquarters of the party from dissolving the state exco, Doguwa said “the court action wasn’t instituted by my exco, some loyal party members whom I’m in support of approached the court.”

    Among the top echelons of the party that attended the gathering were, Bashir I Bashir, Faruk Iya, Alhaji Yahaya Bogobiri.

    The elders of the party include, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, Ambassador Aminu Wali and Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo.

  • 10,000 Kwankwasiyya supporters dump group for APC, burn redcaps in Kano

    Over 10, 000 tricycle operators loyal to the Kwankwasiyya Group and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday in Kano destroyed and openly burnt their red caps and formally defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Receiving the defectors, chairman of APC in Kano, Prince Abdullahi Abbas described the even which took place at Sani Abacha stadium as historic and an indication that the Kwankwasiyya and the PDP are dead and buried in Kano.

    According to him, “we are happy to receive the tricycle riders who have realized that there is no hope where they were.

    “Today, they have come to join us and we have received them with open hands. In our great party, there is no discriminative. They will be accorded the same treatment just like any one of us.”

    Prince Abbas also stated that, ” with what is happening now, you will agree with me that come 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Abdullahi Abdullahi Umar Ganduje will have a landslide victory in Kano.”

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Alhaji Muktar Sule Garo, said about 6500 members of Kwankwasiyya Tricycle operators and 3500 members of PDP Tricycle operators defected to the APC.

    According to him, “thousands of Kwankwasiyya and PDP loyalists are gathered in this place to show their disaffection on the ideals and ideology of their leader, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.

    “The defectors have come to join the struggle of restoring true democracy under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari at the centre and Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje here in Kano.

    “What you have seen here today is the beginning of the total annihilation of the Kwankwasiyya Group and the red-cap followers.

    “Already, plans have been concluded to receive more of these groups from market women, tea sellers, mechanics, baked beans sellers, soft drinks hawkers, vulcanizers and many other groups.”

    He added that, “there is no doubt that Kano is ready to deliver over five million votes to President Muhammadu Buhari. The people are happy with the achievements of Governor Ganduje’s administration and they are ready to appreciate him at the polls.”

    Also speaking, Kano state Commissioner for Information, Youths and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba, described the event as memorable, adding that the state government was impressed by the development.

    According to him, “most of the decampees were members of the APC who went on sabbatical, but today, they have realized that there is no road where they were. They are back and we welcome them with open hands.

    “You can also agree with me that Kwankwasiyya is dead in Kano. We are expecting more people to join the progressives. I must tell you that Kano will soon record yet another massive defection of the opposition into our great party, the APC.”

    Speaking on behalf of the defectors, leader of the tricycle operators in the state, Alhaji Usama Haruna Dala, said that, “our defection today is as a result of our conviction that Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has given Kano the kind of development we deserve and he is ready to do more.

    “We are also happy with the change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari. We believe in APC, we believe in Ganduje, we believe in Buhari. In 2019, Insha Allah, APC is the winning party.”

  • Customs seize N8.8m prohibited items in Kano

    The Kano/Jigawa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has impounded smuggled foreign rice and other contraband goods, worth N8.8 million in Kano.

    Its Comptroller, Nasir Ahmad yesterday displayed the seized items at the Bompai headquarters in Kano.

    Ahmad said his Anti-smuggling Squad intercepted the rice and consignment of second-hand clothes at different locations.

    He lamented the nefarious activities of rice smuggling and other contraband into Kano, adding that “alarming rate of thesae saboteurs has continued to crippled economic activities in the commercial city.

    “It is unfortunate that activities of smugglers have crippled businesses in Kano. Smuggling of rice and drugs has destroyed our local businesses and unless we address the trend, we will continue to destroy ourselves. The NCS will continue to do its best to stop smuggling of rice and other contraband goods into Kano.

    “We are not here to cripple lawful businesses. Rather to discourage illegal businesses. We will visit any warehouse where foreign rice and other contraband goods are kept, evacuate the goods, arrest the owner of the warehouse and prosecute him.”

    Ahmad urged traders in the two states to desist from smuggling, adding that the service would deal with anybody found culpable.

  • Ganduje signs Executive Order of Open Government Partnership

    The Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has signed an Executive Order of Open Government Partnership (OGP) as part of effort toward the fight against corruption, improve transparency and accountability in governance.

    Abba Anwar, the Chief Press Secretary to Ganduje stated this in statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Kano on Tuesday.

    He quoted the governor as saying that the signing of OGP was also part of the government renewed effort to improve citizens’ participation and access to public information.

    “Kano State has joined the Open Government Partnership to deepen institutional reforms, fight corruption, and grant citizens’ right of access to public records and information and to enable citizens to effectively participate in governance.

    “On the premise of answering the call of President Muhammadu Buhari, that Nigeria must fight corruption to standstill, Ganduje becomes very committed in the OGP project.

    “He believes that states also should copy from Buhari’s abhorrence to corrupt practices, “Ganduje said.

    The governor said with strong anti-corruption institutions in the state, the Executive Order would help in strengthening optimal performance within the enclave of global best practices fiscal discipline and transparency.

    “Kano state shall fully implement the Open Government Partnership (OGP) principles in its reform agenda. Every Ministry Department or Agency (MDA).

    “Every public institution in Kano state shall establish an office and appoint suitably trained officials as Open Government and Access to Information Officers to ensure effective implementation of this Order.”

    He said the state government would inaugurate State Steering Committee and Action Plan, within the next few days to ensure effective implementation of the order.

  • Customs impound over N8.8m prohibited items in Kano

    The Kano/Jigawa Nigerian Customs Command has impounded smuggled foreign rice and other contraband goods valued at over N8.8m in Kano.

    The Command’s Comptroller of the service Nasir Ahmed disclosed this to reporters on Tuesday, while displaying the seized items at his headquarters in Bompai Kano.

    Ahmad said his anti smuggling squad intercepted the foreign rice and consignment of second-hand clothes at different locations within its operational jurisdiction of the command,within five days, during the just concluded Sallah break.

    He expressed disgust over the nefarious activities of smuggling of rice and other contraband goods into Kano, adding that, alarming rate of this saboteurs has continued to crippled economic activities in the commercial city.

    Read Also: Customs seizes N10b pangolin scales

    According to him,“It is unfortunate that activities of smugglers have crippled businesses in Kano. Smuggling of rice and drugs has destroyed our local businesses and unless we address the trend, we will continue to destroy ourselves.

    “The NCS will continue to do its best to stop smuggling of rice and other contraband goods into Kano. Once, we stop illegal importation of rice into Kano,

    “We are not here to cripple lawful businesses. Rather to discourage illegal businesses. We will visit any warehouse where foreign rice and other contraband goods are kept, evacuate the goods, arrest the owner of the warehouse and prosecute him.

    Ahmad urged traders in the two states to desist from any form of smuggling, affirming the service would not hesitate to deal ruthlessly with anybody found engaging in such unwholesome activities.

  • ‘Kano still paying Kwankwaso’s N350b debt’

    Kano State Commissioner for Information, Youths and Culture Muhammad Garba has said the government is still paying the over N350 million debt inherited from the Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso-led government.

    Garba, who addressed a news conference in his office, was reacting to “recent unguarded statements credited to Senator Kwankwaso and his protégé”.

    He said Kwankwaso’s debt was a huge embarrassment to Kano State.

    “The debt cuts across contracts for uncompleted flyovers, roads, and the controversial foreign and local scholarship scheme, which amounts to over N15 billion.

    “There is no need engaging into unnecessary war of words with Kwankwaso and his followers because the people know their antics.

    “More so, the growing unease in their already divided Kwankwasiyya camp as the 2019 elections approach confirms that they have lost political relevance. It is unfortunate that whenever they want to deceive the public, they keep on mentioning failed projects of the Kwankwaso administration.

    “They claim Kwankwaso built 26 skill acquisition institutes! The question is how many of the 26 functioned at hundred per cent when he was governor? None! Some human empowerment programmes, such as the Lafiya Jari health programme, were not sustained during Kwankwaso’s administration because of lack of transparency and sincerity of purpose on the part of those who handled it.

    “How many of the flyovers built by Kwankwaso were completed before the end of his tenure? How many of them were built in accordance with standards that befit an emerging megacity as Kano? Contractors handling the projects were not duly mobilised. The said flyovers were abandoned, all of which were inherited by Ganduje’s administration, and are being built in line with the policy of continuity.

    “Contractors, who left the sites at Maitama Sule University because they were not mobilised have been mobilised. Today, Maitama Sule University is undergoing a face-lift. Millions are being spent by the Ganduje administration to redesign Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil, and place it on the front pew of world class specialised higher institutions.

    “It still baffles my imagination why certain questions should not be raised against someone who looted Kano and left over N350 billion debt for our beloved state to move backward.”

  • 2019: Yoruba leader warns politicians against violence

    As the 2019 general elections draw nearer, the President-General of Yoruba Community in 19 Northern states, Dr. Jimpat Aiyelangbe has called on politicians to play by the rules of the game so as to avoid the plunging country into unwarranted violence that could lead to breakdown of law and order.

    Aiyelangbe who is also the President of Ethnic Community Leaders in Kano (ECLAK), urged Nigerians to resist being drawn into unnecessary ethnic conflicts by unpatriotic politicians who are bent on destroying the unity and of the country for their quest grab power by all means.

    According to him, “As we prepare for the 2019 elections, I implore all politicians to play the game with the fear of God by eschewing those societal ills that could drag the country into chaos

    “I want to seize this opportunity to caution Nigerians, including both the religious and political leaders to shun hate campaigns and hate speeches.”

    Read Also: Politicians advised against unguarded utterances

    Dr. Aiyelangbe who is also the Medical Director of Lafia General Hospital, however, identified lack of equity and lack of employment opportunities among the youths as the basic reasons for violence and hate speech in the country.

    Aiyelangbe insisted that, “Inequity in employment opportunities among the youths directly leads to hate speech and violence. Peace is equity and the greatest manifest of violence among youths is unemployment. Credible employment opportunities can bring and restore peace in the country.”

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption, adding that, “President Buhari is a firm and resolute leader who is thorough and fearless in his crusade against corruption. So, there is need for us to give him support to succeed.”

    He also hailed Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for ensuring peace and harmony among various ethnic groups in the state, pointing out that the recent title awarded to him by the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers was well-deserved.

    Aiyelangbe further stated that, “I commend His Highness, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi 11, the Sultan of Sokoto and other Emir’s in the 19 northern states in the country for their leadership qualities and, love for other ethnic nationalities resident in the North.”

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Ganduje caution politicians against incitement

    Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has urged Muslims to imbibe the values of sacrifice, love and keep fostering unity as they join their counterparts globally to celebrate this years Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

    Ganduje also cautioned religious and political leaders against hate campaigns, incitement or fanning embers of disunity in this period of heightened political activity in the country.

    In his Sallah message signed by the commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba, Governor Ganduje said the period of the celebration was a clarion call for Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of the season such as selfless service to God and humanity, sacrifice and sincere commitment to righteous conducts in their private and public life.

    Read Also: Eid-el Kabir: Gaidam urges unity between Muslims and other religions

    He explained that the significance of the season should be beyond the festivities, adding that the real essence was not in the meat or the blood of the animal but to encourage piety, self-discipline and sacrifice.

    The governor called on all Nigerians to exhibit these values for the good of the country, emphasizing the need for constructive criticisms for improved governance, which he said, must be separated from incitements in order to move forward.

    While congratulating the Muslims for the opportunity by Allah to enable us witness yet another celebration, Ganduje urged the faithful to use the period to pray for peace and unity in the country and for safe return of pilgrims from the Holy Land.