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  • I’ve no plan to leave NNPP, Governor Yusuf replies Ganduje

    I’ve no plan to leave NNPP, Governor Yusuf replies Ganduje

    Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state on Friday, January 26, said he has no plans to dump the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) on whose platform he won the governorship polls.

    Yusuf was responding to an invite by the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to join the APC.

    Governor Yusuf, whose election was affirmed by the Supreme Court penultimate week, is the only NNPP governor in Nigeria.

    However, Ganduje on Thursday, January 25, wooed Yusuf and his godfather Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso as well as Ibrahim Shekarau of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asking them to join APC, according to him, in the interest of Nigerians and the country.

    During the party’s stakeholders’ meeting in Kano, Ganduje said: “I am appealing to Governor Yusuf, along with his members from the NNPP, to defect to the ruling APC at the national level to ensure massive political growth of the state.

    “We are working very hard to ensure more members of the National Assembly from Kano State and others from other political parties join hands with the progressives as doors of the party remain opened to all.”

    According to Ganduje, the APC would commence e-registration and the target is to get the highest number of membership from the state and also have a one party state.

    Read Also: APC woos Yusuf, National Assembly members

    He added: “We will provide an enabling environment for all defectors for the overall political growth of our party and state,” disclosing that “some opposition governors and National Assembly members will soon join the ruling party.”

    In his reaction, Yusuf however, rejected Ganduje’s invitation, telling the APC national chairman he would not exit from NNPP.

    The governor spoke in a statement by his media director, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

    The statement read: “We heard that he (Ganduje) is begging the Governor to join the APC. What is surprising is, that Ganduje as a former governor and former deputy governor, knows better than anyone the right channel to send a message to a sitting governor.

    “Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf does not have plans to leave his party and will not leave the party. Changing a political party is like changing a house. You just cannot wake up, pack your bags, and say I have left my party. There are things to be done before you decide to change your house.”

    During the meeting held at the APC secretariat in Kano, Ganduje also said the Kano state APC has accepted the Supreme Court judgment in good faith, hailing President Bola Tinubu for his love for the state chapter of the party.

    Ganduje said talks have reached an advanced stage such that other smaller parties nationwide, including governors and lawmakers, would soon dump their political parties and join the ruling APC.

    Ganduje explained that the coming of the Kano governor (Yusuf) to APC will strengthen the ruling party in Kano and at the national level, driving developments to the state.

  • APC woos Yusuf, National Assembly members

    APC woos Yusuf, National Assembly members

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Dr Abdullahi Ganduje yesterday urged Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf to defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to APC.

     Ganduje offered the invitation to the governor during the meeting of party stakeholders in Kano, the state capital.

    He said: “I am appealing to Governor Yusuf, along with his members from the NNPP, to defect to the ruling APC at the national level to ensure massive political growth of the state.

    “We are also working very hard to ensure more members of the National Assembly from Kano State and others from other political parties join hands with the progressives as doors of the party remain open to all.”

    It was the first stakeholders’ meeting of the Kano APC, following the Supreme Court judgement which favoured Governor Yusuf.

    Urging the governor to defect, Ganduje said:“We will provide an enabling environment for all defectors for the overall political growth of our party and state.”

    Read Also; Aiyedatiwa set to inaugurate Adelami

    The former governor said the Federal Government will continue to initiate policies and programmes that will enhance the well-being of the people.

    He disclosed that some oppositions governors and National Assembly members will soon join the ruling party.

    Ganduje said Kano State APC had accepted the Supreme Court judgment in good faith, hailing President Bola Tinubu for his love for the chapter.

    Reviewing the apex court verdict, he said the party would create a strong avenue that would unite members and give room for more people willing to join the party.

    Ganduje said stakeholders havr also expressed appreciation to the President Tinubu for his support.

    He said the stakeholders have resolved that as a progressive and largest political party in Africa, the door of APC in Kano are open to new members. 

    He stressed: ”The door of the APC is open to new members across the country and in the Diaspora.

    “So, to enhance unity, progress and development of Kano state, the stakeholders’ meeting expressed commitment to continue to pursue the path of dialogue with individuals, associations or political parties ready to join the APC.”

    Ganduje thanked members of the party for their maturity, support and patience during the legal battle and called on them to remain calm and law abiding.  

  • Yusuf and Kano rumour mill

    Yusuf and Kano rumour mill

    When you fight with a pig, you can’t escape being smeared with mud. And when you stoop that low, you also get your habitat stained with mud. That is a moral Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf didn’t seem to imbibe when he openly engaged a rumour about he and Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Abdullahi Baffa Bichi taking on each other in a physical punch-up.

    The SSG has been away for some while, reportedly in Saudi Arabia for medicare. In his absence, the governor assigned Head of Civil Service Abdullahi Musa to hold forth in acting capacity. But there has been rumour, especially in social media circles, that the duo had a brawl following arrest and prosecution of a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor caught diverting foodstuff palliative meant for  vulnerable people in the state. The SSA is allegedly from the same quarters as the SSG and his public prosecution reportedly rankled with the top official, who complained bitterly to the governor. The rumour further had it that the encounter resulted in fisticuffs between the governor and his SSG, following which Yusuf allegedly sacked the government scribe and drafted the Head of Service in acting capacity.

    Read Also: Wike reads riot act to bandits in Abuja, says enough is enough

    Speaking on New Year day after swearing in 21 permanent secretaries, 15 advisers and one council chairman at the Government House in Kano, Yusuf thumbed down the rumour of a misunderstanding, much less physical brawl between him and the SSG, and  denied that Bichi had been sacked. The governor explained that the SSG is presently recuperating from his ailment and that as soon as he is back, he will resume his office. “I overheard someone speaking with authority on local radio that there was an exchange of deadly blows between myself and the SSG. You know, some people who are jobless see politics as their source of living, and they always try to concoct rumours deliberately to generate unnecessary tension. But this time, they have failed woefully,”  he said. The governor added: “SSG is still there in his position, unshakable, and we are thankful to him for the kind of contributions he has made and hope when he returns, he will sustains the tempo. That Head of Service holds the position in his absence doesn’t mean that he was sacked. We have not relieved him of his position.”

    The rumour was pedestrian. But Yusuf also cheapened his office by directly engaging it. Fisticuffs between a governor and SSG is the height of idle chatter. If he must give it traction, Yusuf could have left that to the most junior among his many communication aides. His personally taking on the issue was infra dig.

  • Sodje, Mouktar salute Yusuf on dream Eagles’ debut

    Sodje, Mouktar salute Yusuf on dream Eagles’ debut

    Though the Super Eagles laboured  to earn  a point against battle-hardened  Equatorial Guinea  in their opening match at the  Africa Cup of  Nations (AFCON) Cote d’Ivoire 2023, Alhassan  Yusuf  won hearts of  many for his commanding performance  on his long-awaited international debut .

    The Antwerp ‘ midfielder shone like a neon light in the dark  to the delight of  former  Nigeria International Sam Sodje as well as FCTFA Chairman Adam Mouktar Mohammed  as both  poured  encomiums  on the pint-sized  23-year-old  for his yeoman’s job  on his debut.

    Sodje, the former Reading  who  made  four appearances for the Super Eagles in his heyday, praised Yusuf for being able to pull the strings  in the middle of the pack, adding he expected  coach Jose Peseiro  to juggle up the team in order not to overwork the lad.

    “ We wished we would have started with a win just as  the Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire ) won their first game to ease the pressure but it didn’t happen  as such we have to move on now, “ said Sodje on Brila Fm.

    “ It’s a tournament and we have to move on to the next game .

    Read Also: Abba Yusuf, Muftwang, Sanwo-Olu others whose fate will be decided by S’Court today

    “ But I think we came out well in the first 10 minutes (against Equatorial Guinea)  and we conceded a bad goal but we found our way  regardless.

    “ Yusuf had a very good game ,” he noted inter alia.

     A highly impressed Mohammed was even  more forthcoming  on his ward who made his breakthrough from  FC Hearts.

     “Yes,  indeed I am very proud of his journey so far and it goes to inspire many millions of potential young players out there,” said Mohammed .“For him he is over the moon. He is one of the lucky footballers to be able to wear the great Jersey for his country Nigeria. Definitely  a dream fulfilled

     “He will continue fight for a shirt and not take it for granted.

    “To give 110%, the objective is to play his heart out and try to help win titles with the Super Eagles,” he added.

  • BREAKING: Supreme Court upholds NNPP’s Yusuf election as Kano governor

    BREAKING: Supreme Court upholds NNPP’s Yusuf election as Kano governor

    The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Kano state governor, Yusuf Abba Kabir of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

    The court, in a judgment on Friday, January 12, held that the appeal by Yusuf and his party was meritorious.

    Justice John Okoro, who read the lead judgment, set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal and that of the election tribunal that had sacked the NNPP candidate.

    Read Also: LIVE UPDATE: Supreme Court set to give judgments in eight governorship disputes

    Justice Okoro held that the two lower courts were wrong to have deducted 165,616 votes from the score of the NNPC and that he was not qualified to contest the election because he was not a member of the NNPP at the time of the election.

    The two lower courts had held in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate.

    Details shortly…

  • Yusuf can be Super Eagles’ joker at AFCON 2023, says Garba

    Yusuf can be Super Eagles’ joker at AFCON 2023, says Garba

    Newly invited Super Eagles midfielder, Alhassan Yusuf, could be the joker for Nigeria as the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 gets underway this week in Cote d’Ivoire.

    Yusuf was a last minute replacement for injured  Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi but veteran coach Manu Garba believes the ‘unknown quantity’ of  the Antwerp midfielder can bolster the Eagles’ chances at the AFCON 2023.

    The Super Eagles are drawn in a tricky Group A along hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau and Equatorial Guinea that they will face on January 14 Olympic Stadium Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan.

    Read Also; Huge sporting expectations for Nigeria

    Garba, a two-time winner of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, said the former FC Hearts rookie   who last season won a double of both the Belgian Pro League and  Belgian Cup, is a quality replacement for Ndidi, adding he could  as well be a joker in coach Jose Peseiro-led Super Eagles angling for a fourth AFCON title for Nigeria.

    “Yusuf is a good player and I believe he can gel with the other players because he’s a good ball handler and have endurance capacity,”  Garba, the erstwhile captain of El Kanemi Warriors that won a successive national FA Cup, told NationSports. 

    He added: “Yusuf is just waiting on the wings to contribute in making the team strong since he’s a good ball handler and have endurance capacity to win ball from the opponents.

    “Maybe he will a joker since he hasn’t play any competitive games for the super Eagles before.”

  • Why women should join Army, by Governor Yusuf

    Why women should join Army, by Governor Yusuf

    Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf of Kano state has urged the womenfolk to join the military, especially the army.

    The governor spoke while expressing displeasure over the none presence of enough females at the screening exercise of Kano indigenes willing to join Nigerian Army.

    Yusuf spoke through his commissioner for special duties, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi, who observed the conduct of the exercise held at Bukavu Barracks in the metropolis.

    He vowed to use all the available channels in enlightening the womenfolk across the nooks and cranny of the state on the importance of joining such service.

    Read Also: Tinubu celebrates Kano governor, Yusuf, at 61

    According to the governor, women have been lagging  behind in the scheme of things in the country, especially when it comes to security jobs.

    About 150 young individuals successfully passed the screening, and the governor urged them to persevere through the challenges of the demanding training ahead, assuring them that it was only a matter of time.

    He explained that, in his position as chief executive of the state, would do his best to support them in whatever way possible so as to attain their potentialities.

    Yusuf, who vowed to use his good office in ensuring those that have not met the required criteria do so during subsequent exercises, enjoined those that qualified to protect the good name of the state.

    This, he said, became necessary as according to him Kano  always set the pace while others follow.

  • Tinubu celebrates Kano governor, Yusuf, at 61

    Tinubu celebrates Kano governor, Yusuf, at 61

    President Bola Tinubu has felicitated with the Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, as he clocks 61 years of age.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu recognized the governor’s steadfast climb through the political ladder in his state.

    “President Bola Tinubu congratulates Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State on his 61st birthday.

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    “President Tinubu recognizes the steadfastness implicit in the political trajectory of Governor Yusuf, rising through the political rung from personal assistant, commissioner to governor.

    “The President wishes the Governor success in the discharge of his duties.

    “The President also prays that the Almighty grant the Governor many more years in good health and strength”, the statement said.

  • Yusuf: governor’s  influence in Osun politics gone

    Yusuf: governor’s  influence in Osun politics gone

    • He’s bragging for nothing, ex-House of Reps deputy speaker knocks former minister

    Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Lasun Yusuf has described the recent outburst of ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola, as empty.

    The Nation recalled that Aregbesola, who launched his faction named Omoluabi Caucus, blamed Oyetola for APC’s defeat during the 2022 Osun governorship election.

    Aregbesola bragged that his caucus would make a drastic decision by determining the future of Osun State politically, which no one would have any say over.

    Yusuf, who abandoned APC for Labour Party in 2022 before joining Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, said Aregbesola is embarking on a futile endeavour by struggling to become a political leader in Osun State.

    Yusuf, speaking during a political programme, Oro Oselu (Political Talk), on a private radio station, Rave FM in Osogbo, monitored by our correspondent, said the erstwhile Minister of Interior could only struggle, but he could never become a leader of any political system in the state.

    Read Also: Osun APC blasts Aregbesola, says ex-gov dishonoured agreement by Tinubu, Akande

    He said: “I can’t be happy if any evil thing befalls Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. I always wish him good. We were together; we have come a long way; in fact we spent quality time together in politics, but what I know is that his terrain of influence is gone in the political firmament of Osun; he cannot be a leader of any political system in the state again.

    “Though he tried to ensure that the progressives retain power in Osun while exiting office, what I know is that he is only trying, but it is too late to become a leader in the state as he has been struggling to.

     “I said this because I knew that he became a governor by collective leadership. Just as I couldn’t become a governor as I wished, so also it is not easy for him to become the leader of any political system that he wishes to be. For him to be saying he will let people know where he is going before the end of this year is nothing but a ruse; time has passed by on that; life doesn’t wait for such.”

  • Governors Yusuf, Otti get high rating in governance – survey

    Governors Yusuf, Otti get high rating in governance – survey

    Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state and Alex Otti of Abia state have emerged as standout leaders, garnering robust endorsements and substantial support from their respective constituencies, according to a recent survey conducted by Run to Win’s Democratic Accountability Project. 

    The poll’s results shed light on the public perception of the leadership approaches of both Governor Otti and Governor Yusuf in their first six months and the positive reception of the public regarding the current direction of governance in both states.

    Run To Win’s extensive nationwide survey, launched in partnership with Momentum Africa, provides a comprehensive insight into the first six months of governance for select state leaders in Nigeria. The polls assessed public perception and satisfaction levels, yielding intriguing insights for Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Benue, and Kano States.

    In Kano state, the NNPP governor garnered an extraordinary 82% approval rating. According to respondents, the governor’s emphasis on primary healthcare (80%), advancements in education (78%), and combating corruption (76%) have resonated with the electorate. Notably, an overwhelming 88% expressed affinity for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Kabir’s party, and a strong inclination to retain the party’s leadership.

    Otti’s performance in Abia state was a few percentage points shy of approval from half the survey takers, at a 46% satisfaction rating. His focused initiatives on enhancing drainage systems (67%), the perception that he has displayed strong leadership (66%), and his prioritising road infrastructure (65%) earned him his current standing. Notably, the growing appeal of the Labour Party is evident, with an impressive 74% of respondents expressing a willingness to vote for the party in future elections.

    RtW was founded with the primary objective of assisting young and credible political candidates with the tools and support to build effective political campaigns and win vital political seats.

    As an expansion of its process, the new Democratic Accountability Project will deploy resources towards the mass dissemination of information around governance responsibility. The first edition of the project measures performances across five states, including Akwa Ibom, Kano, Benue, Abia, and Adamawa.

    Remi Ogunkayo, a co-founder of RtW, shared insights into the organisation’s exciting new direction. 

    “The exceptional voter turnout witnessed during the 2023 elections underscores the need to sustain and encourage such active civic participation. Achieving this goal demands impartial assessments of our states’ governance. 

    Read Also: Kano guber: Yusuf, Gawuna know fate as Supreme court fixes date for hearing

    “The Democratic Accountability Project serves as a reliable conduit for the electorate to communicate effectively with elected officials, addressing the imperative for independent evaluations and constructive dialogue.”

    Six months post the recent general elections, voters have emphasised pressing concerns that demand swift attention.

    Chief among these concerns are the soaring cost of living, escalating fuel prices, and widespread perceptions of inadequate governance. A striking 68% of respondents have voiced the urgency of addressing the escalating inflation that significantly impacts their overall quality of life.