Local

By Ukasha Rabiu Magama

In preparation ahead for the 11 March 2023 gubernatorial and state House of Assemblies elections and to show their happiness over the victory of Hon. Shehu Buba Umar, Bauchi South Senator-elect, and Hon. Ismail Haruna Dabo, the Representative-elect, Toro federal constituency, the Magama Political Concern Citizens organized a feast in honour of the emerging candidates.

The feast, which took place at the Magama Gumau Central Primary School, was organised under the leadership of Comrade Ahmad Haruna Bamaiyi to celebrate the emerging candidates on their victory as well as pray for them to deliver on their campaign promises.

Bamaiyi said a cow worth N600,000 to enjoy the moment, and the elected representatives were reminded to deliver on their campaign promises, adding that people from different locations were called to enjoy the moment irrespective of religion, ethnicity and political backgrounds.

Highlighting the significance of the feast, comrade Bamaiyi said the victory is from Allah and the massive support offered by the electorates, and therefore, it is good to gather together to eat, drink and thank God the Almighty for the victory of the candidates.

Bamaiyi also called on the attendants to come out en-mass on 11 march 2023 to complete the remaining task waiting for them by voting massively for Air Vice-Marshal Sadiq Baba Abubakar as Bauchi state governor and Hon. Tukur Ibrahim as the lawmaker representing Toro/Jama’a at the State Hous of Assembly.

The feast had in attendance some special dignitaries, among which include; Bashir Musa, the Sarkin Sudan of Toro, Haruna Gidado Tilde, APC local government women leader, youths and women associations, among many others.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The New Nigerian People’s Party, NNPP, has reveal plans by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to rig the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Kano State.

Dr Baffa Abdullahi Bichi, an NNPP cheiftain, made the allegations in a press conference on Monday.

According to Mr Bichi, Plans are underway for the repetition of the 2019 massive rigging of the APC by the Ganduje’s led administration.

Mr Bichi said, as defeat and rejection stare the APC in the face, the Ganduje’s led government is fervently plotting to thwart the will of Kano people.

Mr Bichi alleged that the government is hiring thugs and hunters from Cameroon and Bauchi to distrupt the electoral Process. He also said that the government in collaboration with INEC plan to cause unnecessary delay in polling units where the APC can not win. He added that it is part of their strategy to invade collation centers.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Kaduna Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has endorsed the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Isah Ashiru, for the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

The State CAN Chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, disclosed in a statement on Monday.

According to CAN, they arrived at the decision after reviewing the just concluded presidential and national assembly elections. They added that owing to the Labour Party’s performance in the presidential election, a vote for the party is a complete waste.

CAN also said they have reached an agreement with the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate, Isah Ashiru, on positions he will reserve for Christians in exchange for their votes.

CAN further explained that they are not comfortable with the background and the religious disposition of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Uba Sani. They said he favours the Muslims and the marginalisation of Christians will get worse if he becomes governor.

Part of the statement reads, “That it has been observed that aside being a son of a prominent Islamic cleric in Zaria, the APC gubernatorial candidate is more likely to promote Islam than the current governor. Because he is constantly seen around Islamic clerics and making huge donations to the propagation of Islam in Kaduna State. he also facilitated the disbursement of CBN’s non-interest loans. 80% of the beneficiaries in Kaduna were Moslems. Therefore, Christians should bear in mind that our current marginalisation will only become worse if he is voted as governor!”

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, have raised concerns over the alleged plot by Kano State Governor, Umar Ganduje, to rig the incoming gubernatorial election and supplementary election in the state.

The Chairman of Kano NNPP, Umar Haruna Doguwa, made the disclosure in a press statement on Sunday.

Mr Doguwa appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, the International Community and the Security agencies to foil Ganduje’s plan.

He alleged that Ganduje’s interest goes beyond election rigging, but the total breakdown of law and order in the state is also among his evil machinations.

Part of the statement reads:

“The Kano State NNPP has noticed that some attempts are being made by unscrupulous elements in conjunction with some INEC officials to manipulate the collated results as we also noticed improper conduct by some INEC ad hoc staff. We, therefore, call on Presidency, security agencies, election observers, and the international community to beam their searchlight on INEC, especially on the concluded position to conduct supplementary election in the 15 affected polling units at Fagge. Any shift, either in a number of the polling units or continued cancellation of other polling units, will meet our stiff resistance.

“We are also aware that plans are being nursed and sponsored by the State government to cause a total break down of law and order in the state during the upcoming gubernatorial and state assembly elections. While we call on security agencies to take adequate measures on this, otherwise, we as a party and citizens of Kano State have the capacity to defend ourselves and our votes.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

Ahead of the March 11 governorship election, the Youth Society for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Social Vices (YOSPIS) has commended the FG’s cashless policy towards the election and the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in conducting one of the freest and fairest elections in the country.

The Executive Director of YOSPIS, Zainab Ahmad Nasir, who made the call on Thursday, said, “We would like to commend the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Federal Government for conducting a free, fair and credible Presidential election in Nigeria. We hope and pray the same will happen next week for gubernatorial elections across the country.

“The vote buying was hugely reduced due to the new naira policy implemented by the Federal Government. However, despite its readiness, the commission [INEC] failed to provide some materials on time, like cubicles, among other materials. Many polling units in the State experienced the faults of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), late arrival of INEC officials and materials, change of polling units, absence of cubicles, violence and overvoting in some areas.”

The Director also urged the general public to remain calm and peaceful during the elections process and report any suspicious act to the security personnel.

She said, “We hope the electorates will continue to remain calm, peaceful and confident in the electoral process and report any wrongdoing they witness.”

The Daily Reality gathered that the Presidential elections last week had left many families in deep mourning of their relatives who were burnt to ashes or sustained gunshot wounds on election day in Kano.

Several reports indicated how Alhassan Ado Doguwa, the Majority Leader of the House of Representative of Nigeria, had allegedly shot three people and instructed thugs to set ablaze the Campaign Office of the New Nigerian People Party (NNPP) in Doguwa Local Government Area of Kano.

The development had allegedly led to the death of no fewer than fifteen innocent souls who happened to be inside the building when it was set on fire.

Miss Nasir concluded that “We hope the perpetrators of this dastardly violence will be brought to book and face the consequences of their actions.”

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

A pressure group, Voice of New Fagge, has demanded that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declare the winner of the Fagge Local Government’s National Assembly election held on Saturday.

Dr Muhammad Suleiman Abdullahi Fagge, the spokesperson of the group, made the request in a letter addressed to the chairperson of INEC in the Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State on Tuesday.

According to Mr Fagge, tension and uncertainty are brewing in Fagge over the refusal of INEC to declare the winner in the election on time.

He said: “We write in order to notify INEC about the growing tension, apprehension, anger and uncertainties brewing in Fagge Local Government’s communities over the recently concluded National Assembly elections. We also want to notify all the authorities concerned that the Fagge Local Government’s National Assembly election winner should be declared without wasting time.”

Mr Fagge also alleged that plans are underway by Hon. Aminu Suleiman Goro to increase the number of cancelled votes in order for him to comfortably thwart the will of the electorates.

He said: “There’s an allegation that Hon. Aminu Suleiman Goro, who is the third in this election, is working tirelessly to increase the number of cancelled votes to pave the way for him to rig the election in his favour, and this will not augur well with our democracy and the peace of the people of Fagge Local Government. It is upon this background that we call on INEC to immediately declare the winner of Fagge Local Government’s National Assembly election. This is in order to preserve the peace of the good people of Fagge Local Government and Kano State in general.”

By Muhammad Aminu

At least ten vehicles have been destroyed and many injured as thugs attacked supporters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, in Kano Thursday afternoon on their way to welcome NNPP’s presidential candidate, Rabi’u Kwankwaso.

The vehicles filled with the NNPP’s Kwankwasiya movement supporters have been vandalized, among which three were burned to ashes.

An eyewitness, Tasiu Lawan, said he escaped death as hundreds of thugs attacked them and wounded many people.

Lawan further confirmed that many people had been injured while vehicles were touched.

NNPP’s presidential candidate Rabi’u Kwankwaso was billed to hold his grand finale campaign in Kano, where he enjoys a massive following.

Earlier in the morning, Kano State Police Command, through its spokesperson, Abdullahi Kiyawa, advised the trio of All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party and New Nigeria Peoples Party to put on hold their planned rallies in Kano due to the possible clash between their supporters.

Recalled that in 2019, the Kano Commissioner of Police barred Kwankwaso from holding a political rally in Kano ahead of the general elections, which his members see as clear discrimination and siding with the ruling party in Kano.

By Aisar Fagge

The Dangote Group Tuesday has bagged the First Runner-Up award at the just concluded 44th Kaduna International Trade Fair in Kaduna State.

The group was awarded for its enormous contribution in buoying investment opportunities across Africa through numerous businesses and philanthropic forays.

The Dangote Group made the disclosure in a news release issued to journalists on Monday.

The statement disclosed that Professor Umar Dantsoho, an economist, while speaking to journalists on the event, said the Dangote Industries Limited has been creating investment and job opportunities for Africans through its cement establishments in Nigeria and in Africa.

He said the key to developing the African economy is through the growth of the manufacturing sector, which is a major preoccupation of the company.

The statement added that, “Only recently, Dangote Industries Limited sealed a fresh deal of six million tons per annum with China Sinoma International Engineering which will strengthen local and African production to 57.6 million tons per annum.

“Aside government, Dangote Group is adjudged the biggest employer of labor in Nigeria.

“Speaking also Second Vice President of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA). Alhaji Faruk Suleiman, commended the company for creating opportunities across Africa, adding that the upcoming Dangote petrochemical refinery will change the face of the African economy.

“General Manager, Sales, Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR) North-West, Alhaji Abdulsalam Waya said the conglomerate would continue to provide opportunities for all willing Nigeria to invest as distributors or as investors in the stock market.

“He added that the theme for this year’s Trade Fare: Value Addition for Sustainable Growth and Development is apt, as Dangote Cement exports its product to several African countries, thereby creating jobs and opportunities across the value chain.

“The company is the major sponsor of the 44th annual event.

“Speaking, President of KADCCIMA Alhaji Suleiman Aliyu described the partnership with Dangote as very important for deepening commercial activities in the country.

“He said the support of the Dangote Group towards the success of the Fair cannot be quantified.

“Speaking to newsmen, the Director General of the Chamber Mr. Usman Saulawa said the Dangote Group is a major sponsor of this year’s Trade Fair and has been sponsoring the annual event.

“He said Dangote Group has been playing the role of supporter and partner for many years. It participation has been adding value to the Chamber.”

“The DG described this year’s fair as unique as there would be a Business Roundtable session that will further help deepens business opportunities for participants.

“The companies that participated under Dangote Industries Limited are Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar, NASCON, Dangote Fertiliser, and Dangote Sinotruk West Africa Limited.

“A statement from the Corporate Communication Department of the Dangote Group said participants who seek to do business with any of the company’s subsidiaries can avail themselves of such opportunity through a special help desk at the pavilion.

“It described Kaduna State as one of the biggest markets in the country, given its historical position as the political capital of Northern Nigeria,” the statement added.

By Ukasha Rabiu Magama

In a bid to prevent pre and post-election unrest across Toro and Bauchi during the oncoming elections in Nigeria, Toro Uplift Association commences a sensitisation program across various secondary schools in Bauchi state.

The sensitisation program, which will commence on Monday, 13 February 2023 and end on Thursday, 23 February 2023, has been disclosed by the Union’s chairman Abdulfatah Mu’azu while addressing some susceptible youths in Toro last Wednesday on the consequence of political thuggery.

Abdulfatah said the sensitisation journey, which will be embarked on in three selected secondary schools across the state’s towns, is aimed at discouraging pre and post-election violence in the forthcoming poll.

He, however, admonished the susceptible youths to disassociate themselves from unprofitable politicians who may hire them to disrupt the smooth conduct of elections for selfish interests.

In their respective comments, some of the susceptible youths, Shamsudden Umar and Nabil Saleh, paid allegiance to Toro Uplift and thanked the union for considering them despite their situation and promised not to engage in any political violence no matter the amount of money one will offer them during the election period. 

In his remark, the association’s secretary Umar Muhammad Sani said the Toro Uplift would not fold its hands to allow selfish politicians to use youths to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the exercise. He, however, charges that susceptible youths report any suspicious politicians whose target is to use them as thugs.

He further called on the principals of various secondary schools across the state to give the Toro Uplift Association maximum cooperation to have a smooth sensitisation exercise so that entire societies will be benefited from the program’s outcome. 

By Sumayyah Auwal Ishaq

Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El- Rufai on Tuesday called on the people of Kaduna to ignore calls for massive protests amidst currency swap debacle.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, Gov. El-Rufa’i said “the government is aware that certain individuals and groups have made plans to organize massive protests, seizing on the acute shortage of cash and attendant hardships faced by citizens”.

He further said “The Kaduna State Government wishes to appeal for caution and vigilance by all citizens, amidst the prevailing situation arising from the ongoing cash swap and currency redesign policy.

“Citizens are reminded that care must be taken not to play into the plans of devious elements seeking to create crisis in this crucial period. Citizens are thus advised to ignore these calls for massive protests in the interest of public security”.