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Tag: Kwankwaso

  • Kwankwaso advises Ribadu against defecting to PDP

    Kwankwaso advises Ribadu against defecting to PDP

    Kano State Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, yesterday advised former presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, against decamping to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to avoid committing political suicide.

    Kwankwaso, who spoke to reporters in his office, said he was yet to confirm whether Malam Ribadu was interested in the purported offer of a gubernatorial ticket by the PDP, adding that Ribadu’s political would be over if he dumps the APC.

    He said: “well, I have heard the rumour and we read it in newspapers and watch it on the television. But I don’t want to believe that it is correct or that it is true. But I want to say that if it is true, then it is a big disappointment for Nigerians. People ordinarily will think that my brother, Nuhu Ribadu is a principled person; somebody with good ideology, somebody who is progressive; somebody who is always working towards the unity of this country.

     “And above all, I remember during his days as the chairman of EFCC, he tried so much to deal with corruption. As we are moving deep into democracy, water is taking its level, people are moving in and out of parties, meaning that people with similar ideologies are coming together. And unlike 1998/99 when we were forming parties to deal with the military and install democracy, which was why everybody from all ideological tendencies came together.

    “Now that we have gone deep into democracy, we are looking at our shoulders to say who is close to who and who is on the other side. That was why some of us left the PDP to join our brothers and sisters who have the same ideology with us—and that is to bring about the desired change in this country. Now, for him who was, in my opinion, in the right place and together with the progressives, if he should just leave because he is looking for position or he is looking for a ticket to contest election, I don’t think that is good for him and I don’t think that is good for the country.

    “At the end of the day, if that happens, God forbids, he will be the biggest loser. He will lose because he joined a group that most of them were jailed by him. I don’t think they will ever want to see him there. But in politics, there is this accommodation of people that they will bring you close, raise you up and dump you. At the end of the day, they will laugh at you and say, look at him now.

     “If Ribadu joins PDP, whether he wins election or not, he will be the biggest loser. People can’t believe that all that we said about him was completely wrong. The biggest punishment for a politician is for him to be in a wrong place.  I don’t think Nuhu Ribadu will make that mistake because if he does, it will be the biggest political mistake of his life.”

    Kwankwaso also called on Nigerians to reject the proposed new constitution, which he said was smuggled into the national conference, insisting that it was a grand plot by the PDP and the presidency to elongate the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan.

  • Kwankwaso attacks Jonathan again

    Kwankwaso attacks Jonathan again

    •Fed Govt promoting hatred, corruption

    President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration promotes hatred, enmity, ethno-religious rivalry and corruption, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State said at the weekend.

    Kwankwaso, who spoke to reporters in his office, said the inability of President Jonathan to tackle insurgency in the North and insecurity in other parts of the country exposes his incompetence to preside over Nigeria’s affairs.

    According to him, the real cause of insecurity is bad leadership being experienced in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government.

    “We have good materials in APC; we have people, if given the opportunity, I have no doubt in my mind we can perform creditably. Look, I am conversant with that Villa for over 20 years now. From the days of my membership of the House of Representatives as Deputy Speaker, I know what the Commander-In-Chief should be doing under these circumstances.

    “Now, they are just using propaganda. Look at this Chibok girls, for three weeks, they were arguing—where are the names, who are they, where are the photographs; they didn’t believe that over 200 children were abducted. Haba! Even if it is 20 tortoise or goats! Won’t you look for them? One of the reasons why I love this country is that we have people of high calibre in all the regions, in all the states. Look at my former colleague, former Minister of Education Dr. Oby Ezekwezili.

    “This is somebody who worked with the World Bank, but now she has devoted her time. She is not from this part of the country, but she felt she had to take the bull by the horns and that is what we are seeing in developed countries—fight injustice, save people, help them, if you have the opportunity to do so. They sent some hawks to go and stop the protesters. The other day I went to Abuja, I saw an advertisement while she is saying ‘BringBackOurGirls’.  Some people are saying ‘vote for us, we want to stay and maintain the status quo; look at my photograph, I am smiling.’ And they don’t know time is of essence.”

    Kwankwaso accused President Jonathan-led administration of operating a government based on ethnic sentiment and religious bigotry.

    He advised the Presidency to reduce the level of hatred and bitterness among Nigerians, if the government is actually interested in resolving insecurity.

    “At the moment, the country is in a critical situation, and if this madness is not stopped and if  it is allowed to degenerate, and becomes the order of the day, whereby innocent people are being killed every day, then something is wrong with the leadership.

    “What Nigeria requires now is a strong leadership that can effectively tackle the insurgency in the Northeast and other topical security challenges,” he said.

    On the impeachment saga in Adamawa and Nasarawa states, Kwankwaso said: “My opinion is if there is anybody that should be impeached, it is them, who are in the headquarters of corruption— that is the headquarters of bad politics— that is the Headquarters of everything evil.”

    To the governor, the suicide attack on APC’s national leader, General Muhammadu Buhari is “unfortunate”. He pointed out that it was God that saved Nigeria from a serious crisis, which would have occurred, if those who attempted to kill Gen. Buhari had succeeded.

    His words: “First of all, let me take this opportunity once again to commiserate with General Muhammadu Buhari and, of course, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, their families, their relations and, of course, anybody that is close to them. While commiserating with them, I think I should also congratulate Nigeria in the sense that the lives of these two leaders were saved. I am congratulating Nigeria because only God knows what would have happened in this country if either of them and, at worst, two of them lost their lives on that day. It is very sad that they had to go through this trauma at their age and their level and position in the society.

    “This is Nigeria for you and this is the situation we all find ourselves. Everybody is having his own share of trouble, attack and so on and so forth. Dahiru Bauchi, I think he is a little bit older than my father—my father had to go through similar experience also in a mosque at Kwankwaso. They went and sprayed a small mosque where my father was praying with bullets. They had to push him into a particular corner, and so many people heaped themselves on top of him and they received all the bullets. Three people died, 13 people wounded on top of him.

    “So, you can see that now, it cuts across strata, it cuts across the different segments of our society. The late Emir of Kano (Ado Bayero) was attacked right on the streets of Kano. Other traditional rulers have been attacked in the mosque, just like my father who is a traditional ruler. So also, all other sectors of people—civil servants, politicians, police, journalists, everybody – and that is not good for any country.

    “In this particular case of Kaduna, we keep on thanking the Almighty God that they escaped death by whiskers. And I want to say we are lucky; but I believe nobody can run any country with luck. You can win election by luck if you have good luck, but you cannot run any administration, any government, serious government, by luck. Because it has its limitations; you cannot be lucky all the time.

    “I think that is what everybody should know. You see, when the issue happened, there were many people who have been pointing fingers; and that is a lesson also, especially for the leaders. Leaders should create an environment of love, so that even if bad stories happen anywhere, nobody will point at their direction—and that is what has to be done.

    “After the incident, we have seen so many commentators trying to exonerate so many people, but you see, that is not the issue because those who are saying it were saying it on papers; maybe, they are on social media; maybe they are on television and so on—but you see, under those circumstances, it is not those who even have money to buy newspaper that will take laws into their hands—that is the unfortunate thing.

    “The unfortunate thing is people who have no capacity to buy newspaper or even read it if they have it are the people who take decision; and that is such of the decisions that cannot yield anything. That is why I hope everybody is listening, their advisers, if they have any good one, should advise them to reduce the level of hatred and dislike of leaders and their followers; and I think that will probably help to ensure that even if bad thing happen (God forbid), nobody will point fingers at some persons.”

    Kwankwaso added that this is time for all Nigerians to support the Federal Government in fighting the insurgency, adding that unless something is done about Northeast, there can be no peace in the country.

    He suggested that one of the ways of restoring normalcy to the area is for the government to draw out a Marshal Plan for the region, and urged Jonathan to stamp his feet as the Commander–In-Chief of the Armed Forces to tackle insecurity.

    The governor challenged the President to take a clue from the statement of Gen. T.Y Danjuma, who suggested that the President Jonathan   should take the bull by the horns, and lead Nigerians to Sambisa forest as a way of rescuing the abducted Chibok girls.

  • Kwankwaso assures non-indigenes of safety

    Kwankwaso assures non-indigenes of safety

    Kano State Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has said the two-week ultimatum given to southerners in Kano to leave the state by a non-governmental organisation, Northern Youth Development Foundation, is null and void.

    He said: “No one has the authority to sack you from this place.

    “ Kano is your home and you have come to stay.”

    Kwankwaso spoke when the State Non Indigenes Forum visited him at the Government House.

    The governor said his government does not support the call as it will result in acrimony.

    He said the allegation that the Imo State government planned to return northerners to their states is false as Governor Rochas Okorocha is a detribalised Nigerian.

    “I am sure Owelle Okorocha’s investments in the North outweigh the investments by northerners in Imo State put together.

    “ Look at even the Rochas Foundation School he built here and other investments.

    “Such intention about driving away people from his state could not have come from him.

    “I have spoken to him and he  told me that the there was nothing like that.

    “The news is the handiwork of detractors who never wish him well,” Kwankwaso added.

    The governor called on the Federal Government to avoid measures aimed at worsening ethnic, sectional and religious discord among Nigerians.

  • Jonathan plotting life presidency, says Kwankwaso

    Jonathan plotting life presidency, says Kwankwaso

    Kano State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has said the convocation of the National Conference by President Goodluck Jonathan was designed to perpetuate the President in power.

    Kwankwaso addressed reporters in his office at the Government House.

    The governor accused Jonathan of smuggling a new constitution into the conference and using divide-and-rule tactics to balkanise interest groups to make himself a life President.

    He stressed that if Jonathan’s agenda scaled through, he would get another eight-year mandate in 2015, in the bid to perpetrate himself in power and achieve his life ambition.

    Kwankwaso said: “These people are desperate. They want to continue by all means. That is the idea of divide-and-rule. They want to rule forever. I think he (Jonathan) wants to be a life President.”

    The governor expressed misgiving about most of the issued so far debated at the National Conference.

    He said: “You have seen recently that he (Jonathan) took a bill to the National Assembly, wanting the National Assembly to approve a six-year one term. The implication is that he wanted to lift himself. He got two years after the death of (Umaru Musa) Yar’Adua. Now, he is spending four years. And he wants another six years of one term, making 12 years, at least, for now. That seems not to be working. Now, we are hearing that they smuggled a new Constitution through the Conference.

    “The arithmetic of the handlers there is saying that they want to throw away the six years, have a new Constitution and, by 2015, start another eight years. This is because we have seen it during the first term of the governors of Yobe, Taraba, Ogun, Kogi. These were friends who were governors during the aborted Third Republic and people took them to court so that they regained their first term. The courts said: ‘No, no, no, this is a new Constitution.’ Now, there is a new Constitution on the ground to start another eight years by 2015.”

    Kwankwaso said Nigeria needs a change, adding that the nation would continue to pray for the President to sail the ship to safe shores in 2015.

    The governor also prayed that there would be no crisis that would degenerate into a religious war.

    Kwankwaso maintained that he had always opposed the National Conference because it was a waste of resources.

    The governor said Nigeria needs an equitable distribution of its vast resources to its impoverished people.

    He noted that the Conference would be harmful to the country because it was designed to extend the President’s tenure from the proposed single term to eight years by 2015.

    Kwankwaso said if the new constitution is endorsed, it would empower Jonathan to extend his tenure.

    The governor said Jonathan’s reason for convoking the National Conference was to transform into a life President.

    He said the President had concentrated his prosecutions on the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the aim to destabilise it to achieve his ambition of becoming a life President.

    Kwankwaso decried the constant interference “from above”, particularly in Rivers, Adamawa and, lately, in Kano.

    The governor recalled how the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) announced its candidate as the Emir of Kano without waiting for the announcement of the approved Emir, Alhaji Mohammad Sanusi, who was among those shortlisted.

    He said Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako was not as bad as he was being portrayed.

    According to him, the ruling party is always jittery about APC and will blame the party’s leadership for anything.

    Kwankwaso said he supported state police, a position he earlier opposed when his Rivers State counterpart, Rotimi Amaechi, was calling for same.

    The governor urged Nigerians to be their brother’s keeper, adding that they should help their compatriots instead of debating resource control and derivation.

    He said: “I do not see anything wrong in the revenue sharing formula of the country, rather than agitating for an upward review from 13 per cent to 18 per cent, which is the contentious issue tearing the house apart.”

    On Boko Haram activities in the Northeast, Kwankwaso was worried that Jonathan had failed to assert himself as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to halt killings and destruction of property.

    The governor suggested that the President should either negotiate with the sect or use force to stop the incessant killings.

    He said: “This stoppage should either be by negotiation of by the use of force on any of them. I tell you that most of the confusion is coming from Mr President’s handlers, the people around him, just to cause more problems.”

  • Attacks on Kwankwaso, press: Sani blasts Jonathan

    Attacks on Kwankwaso, press: Sani blasts Jonathan

    President of the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria, Comrade Shehu Sani believes that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is itching toward tyranny on account of its recent conducts.

    He cites attacks on Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso over the appointment of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano and the harassment of the  press by  agents of the Federal Government and says  the Kano Governor is a victim of a desperate and dying government.

    Sani, in a statement in Abuja yesterday warned government apologists against returning the nation to the dark days.

    He traced Kwankwaso’s ordeal in the hands of the federal authorities to his defection from the PDP to APC and “the revelation of monumental theft of our national treasury by the ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and now the Emir of Kano.”

    The Federal Government, according to him, “ has consistently targeted them for state persecution and slander. It’s no coincidence that the Federal Government has meddled into the appointment of the Emir of Kano. On this, the Government of President Jonathan stands unambiguously condemned.

    “ Kwankwaso is a victim of a desperate and dying government. All the ills and vices ascribed to him by the federal government were only splashed at him when he left the ruling PDP.

    “The orchestrated campaign of calumny and innuendos targeted against Governor Kwankwaso is a mischievous but failed attempt by President Jonathan and his henchmen and hatchet men to rubbish the hard-earned reputation of the  Governor.”

    Sani, who asked the government to leave Emir Sanusi alone, said security challenges facing the nation should be addressed than personal issues.

    He added: “Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi must be allowed to preside over the affairs of his emirate. Emir Sanusi is duly and properly appointed in conformity with the relevant laws, customs and tradition.

    “The interference by the federal government is nothing but a continuation of the federal mission to morally stain him and physically incapacitate him. The interest, energy and resources invested by the federal government to nail Sanusi could have been of better use if directed at addressing the security challenges bedeviling our country.”

    According to him, “Apologists of the government need to be reminded that this democracy was fought and won after a prolonged battle with the military, we cannot stand by and watch the nation sliding back to darkness of authoritarianism.”

    On the recent harassment of the press, Sani described the action as sheer act of foolishness and archaic.

    He said:”Without the sacrifice of the gallant Nigerian media, democracy could not have been restored and President Jonathan couldn’t have emerged as president. Free press is the guarantor of a free society. Setting the military against the media is tantamount to incinerating our civil liberties.”

  • Kano: Kwankwaso tackles Jonathan

    Kano: Kwankwaso tackles Jonathan

    Following exchange of verbal missiles between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso during the last Unity Rally of People’s Democratic Party in Kano, Kolade Adeyemi in Kano, takes a fresh look at the chances of the APC and PDP in the forth coming elections

    Since August 31st last year, when the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had the controversial Special Convention in Abuja that heralded the walk-out of G-7 governors and eventually the birth of the New-PDP, things have continued to fall apart between President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Kano State Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.  Several meetings held to settle the rift between Kwankwaso and Jonathan failed and at the last count, the Kano state governor left PDP with his supporters and joined the All Progressive Congress (APC), a party he has continued to describe as one that was established with the same political philosophy as his—the Kwankwassiyya. At different occasions, Kwankwaso, who is alleged to be having an eye at the presidency in 2015 has continued to cast aspersions at President Jonathan’s leadership style which to him come short of what should be expected from a president of the largest country in Africa. To many, Kwankwaso’s major grouse against Jonathan is that he refused to succumb to the PDP ‘Gentleman’ agreement that barred him from re-contesting in 2015, as it was said in the agreement that power should return back to the North.

     Jonathan’s enmity with Kwankwaso took a dangerous dimension last Tuesday when the President attended the PDP Unity Rally held at the Polo Ground in Kano and organised to formally welcome former Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau into the PDP.

    Before Jonathan’s arrival, Kwankwaso fired the first salvo when he declared that the government and people of Kano State will not welcome Jonathan and his entourage to Kano because the President has been “useless” to the state and its people.

    Kwankwaso further declared that Kano people will not welcome Jonathan, stressing that he has not done anything to better the lot of Nigerians since he assumed leadership of the country. He also regretted voting for Jonathan in 2011 elections, alleging that the president has disappointed Nigerians. “I am regretting for voting President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 Presidential Election, as he has done nothing to move the nation forward”, he alleged, adding that since Jonathan assumed office, nothing has been done towards the development of the nation.”

    According to him, “under Jonathan, corruption, insecurity and embezzlement of treasury have become the orders of the day.

     ”Only a few people are enjoying in Nigeria at the expense of the generality of the citizenry” Kwankwaso said, lamenting that despite the President’s glaring inadequacies, he is bent on being re-elected in 2015,

    Making real his threat, Kwankwaso shunned Jonathan as he visited the state. But Jonathan fired back at Kwankwaso during the PDP Rally, saying Kwankwaso never voted for him, just as he vowed that come 2015, “PDP must recapture Kano.” President Jonathan also challenged Kwankwaso to account for over N225 billion Local Government funds he received from the Federal Allocation within two years.

    “We read in some of the daily newspapers that the Governor of Kano State, Kwankwaso, said he regretted voting for me. Let me tell my good people of Kano that Kwankwaso did not vote for me or Vice President Namadi Sambo whether in the primaries or the main election. We have accommodated a lot, but we talk less. Those of you from Kano in PDP knew what happened, that when we entered that Eagle Square; by the time the counting got up to half-way—when it was clear that I was to emerge as the candidate, Kwankwaso left the venue.

    “Even the little money my campaign office provided for refreshment and transportation for Kano delegates,Kwankwaso refused to give them that money. He did that so that the Kano delegates would be angry, so that they would not vote for me. Even in the main election, the little money my campaign office sent to Kano State, Kwankwaso refused to release that money to anybody; now, how can Kwankwaso tell me that he voted for me,” Jonathan wondered.

    The President also expressed astonishment at the insinuations that the federal government abandoned Kano people, saying, “some of you will be asking questions why is it that today, your President is not wearing the PDP dress; I decided to appear this way because there is somebody here in Kano who has been campaigning that the person wearing this bowler hat is a devil. I am here to tell you briefly what the federal government has done to Kano people and I want you to ask yourself whether such a person who has been able to do all these things for you is a devil.

    “Federal Government has taken Kano as a major focus for its agricultural transformation agenda. The farmers of Kano are benefiting enormously from Federal Government Growth Enhancement Scheme. In the last two years, a total of 760,000 farmers in Kano State have benefited from the Federal Government’s subsidized fertilizer programme and free improved seeds for maize and rice.” Jonathan also said that over 70 percent of Kano farmers are benefiting from federal government’s fertilizer subsidy scheme also stated that within a period of two years, about 76, 000 metric tons of subsidized fertilizer have been supplied to Kano farmers.

    Jonathan also used the occasion to send his condolence to the families of those who lost their lives in last Monday’s Abuja bomb blast. “Let me at this point express my deepest condolence again to the family members of those who lost their lives in the bomb blast in Abuja on Monday. I was at the scene of the incident, I also visited the hospitals, but I was so shocked that I couldn’t even talk. Again, I express my condolence to the direct family members of the victims and, indeed, the whole country; and I want to re-emphasize that terror will not stop Nigeria from moving. We will continue to move from strength to strength. We also continue to encourage security agencies. We are looking at different options and we promise Nigerians that we will do our best and we will continue to do our best to make sure that we live peacefully in this country,” Jonathan said just as he expressed appreciation to Kano people for the warm reception accorded to him, saying, “let me thank the good people of Kano State for the reception. From the airport to this venue, people lined up to welcome us.”

    While formally welcoming Shekarau, Jonathan described him as a man of the people, “you all know Shekarau very well. He is the man of the people. When he was a governor, he was a member of ANPP, I visited him two or three times as the Vice President of the PDP; but because Shekarau is a Nigerian, a well-learned man, an intelligent man, he received me in all the occasions I came here.

      “These are the kind of people that Kano needs to project and follow. We thank Shekarau for joining the PDP today. He is fully welcomed and fully integrated into the party,” Jonathan said. Mallam Shekarau during his speech, described the day as memorable and promised to protect and promote the interest of the Kano masses so long as he remains in politics no matter the party platform.

    “As long as I remain in politics, I will be dedicated and do all within my ability and capability to remain loyal to the party so as to do everything within our power to show our solidarity and support to the party. I wish, first of all to pledge my commitment and that of my new members who made the choice to join PDP with me; to work ardently together with the party to achieve the ideals of democracy, inclusion and development to which our dear party, PDP, is committed at the local, state and national level.”

    Dramatically, immediately Jonathan and his entourage left the Polo Ground, venue of the rally, Kwankwaso, his cabinet members and APC elders in Kano stormed the Polo Ground with brooms in their hands, sweeping away, “the dirt PDP brought to Kano.”

  • Kwankwaso launches new C-of-O for Kano

    Kwankwaso launches new C-of-O for Kano

    GOVERNOR Rabi’u Kwankwaso of Kano State says the on-going demolition of illegal structures in the state is aimed at making Kano more habitable, modern and cosmopolitan. Presenting the new Kano State Certificate of Occupancy to the public in Kano,Gov.Kwankwaso said it was imperative for government to initiate land reforms. A new agency, Kano Geographical Information System (KANGIS) has been established to make the new C-of-O easily obtainable. “As a departure from the past, people can now get their land documents with ease and guaranteed security”, he said ,explaining that the technology of KANGIS will be used to sanitize and secure the state capital and rid it of ghettos. Consequently,he said that even petty traders and artisans will be able to obtain loans from financial institutions by using their certificates as collateral. This will help in increasing their capital and improving their living conditions. He advised residents state to take advantage of the services offered by KANGIS and urged property owners to pay their outstanding ground rents and other statutory charges to enable government provide more amenities and services.

  • Kwankwaso shuns Jonathan in Kano

    Kwankwaso shuns Jonathan in Kano

    …  He didn’t vote for me – President

    Kano state Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso and his cabinet on Tuesday shunned President Goodluck Jonathan who visited the state for a Peoples Democratic Party welcome rally for Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.

    Kwankwaso’s refusal to receive President Jonathan and his entourage to Kano may not be unconnected with the governor’s earlier statement where he said that Kano people will not welcome the President because he has not done anything to better the lot of Nigerians since he assumed leadership of the country.

    The governor said he regretted voting for President Jonathan, pointing out that the President has disappointed Nigerians.

    “I regretted voting for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 Presidential Election, as he has done nothing to move the nation forward. Only a few people are enjoying in Nigeria at the expense of the generality of the citizenry,” he said.

    But the President fired back at Kwankwaso during the rally, saying the All Progressive Congress chieftain didn’t vote for him, just as he vowed that come 2015, “PDP must recapture Kano.”

    He also challenged the governor to account for over N225 billion Local Government funds he received from the Federal Allocation within two years.

    The President said, “We read in some of the daily newspapers that the Governor of Kano state, Kwankwaso, said he regretted voting for me. Let me tell my good people of Kano that Kwankwaso did not vote for me or Vice President Namadi Sambo whether in the primaries or the main election.

    “We have accommodated a lot, but we talk less. Those of you from Kano in PDP knew what happened that when we entered that Eagle Square; by the time the counting got up to half-way – when it was clear that I was to emerge as the candidate, Kwankwaso left the venue.

    “Even the little money my campaign office provided for refreshment and transportation for Kano delegates, Kwankwaso refused to give them that money. He did that so that the Kano delegates will be angry and would not vote for me.”

     

  • Aregbesola, Kwankwaso, Okorocha, Uduaghan, Adeyemi, 13 others to get awards

    Aregbesola, Kwankwaso, Okorocha, Uduaghan, Adeyemi, 13 others to get awards

    A socio-cultural lifestyle magazine in Abuja, Ariseigala magazine, will on Saturday hold its maiden awards and recognition of excellence in leadership, outstanding entrepreneurial skills, educational, agriculture, human capacity and infrastructural development.

    The event, which will start from 5pm, will take place at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja.

    Twenty-two distinguished Nigerians will receive awards.

    They include Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola,(Ariseigala leadership award for agricultural and education development); Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,(youth empowerment & capacity building); Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, (infrastructure development& peace initiative); Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, (institutional reconstruction, empowerment & capacity building); Senator Smart Adeyemi,(representative leadership).

    Others include High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi (enterprise, unity & cultural advancement); Alhaji Yahaya Bello, (transport sector development & job creation); Senator Amodu Ada Ali; Prince Abubakar Audu; Prof. Frances Suleimanu Idachaba; Kashim Ali, etc.

    The event will be chaired by Gen. T. Y. Danjuma (rtd). Chief host is Senator Bala Mohammed, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Kogi State Governor Capt Idris Ichallla Wada is the special guest of honour.

  • Kwankwaso assures corps members of safety

    Kwankwaso assures corps members of safety

    Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso yesterday assured the 1,900 corps members posted to the state of adequate security.

    He called on parents and guardians to pray, stressing that prayer was the only weapon to ensure security of life and property.

    Commissioner for Information Prof Farouk Umar Jibril, who represented the governor, urged corps members to be security-conscious wherever they may be posted.

    Kwankwaso said: “Only Allah can guarantee security, hence the need for us to pray to Him to grant us security, as human beings can only do things that are humanly possible.”

    Presenting the speech of President Goodluck Jonathan on behalf of the governor, Jibril said the scheme was a rallying point for youths.

    Jonathan enjoined corps members to regard wherever they would be posted to as their fatherland, noting that they should contribute their quota to its development.

    The state Coordinator, Sanusi Abdulrasheed, assured parents that there was no cause for alarm, saying the state is safe.

    He said the NYSC would allow expectant corps members, whose husbands are not residing in the state, to relocate.

    Abdulrasheed said others who wish to relocate would also be given the opportunity on convincing reasons.

    In Akwa Ibom State, corps members have been advised to shun vice and anti-social behaviour.

    Akpabio, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Monday Uko, urged corps members to put the interest of the nation above everything.

    His words: “On our part as government, we will do everything possible to ensure your safety and welfare during this national assignment.

    “As responsible and educated citizens, I admonish you to shun vice and anti-social behaviour. Always put the interest of the nation above everything, and do not lose sight of your role as future leaders.”