Local

By Kabir Musa Ringim

Since the return of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, Jigawa state has been governed by three governors: Sule Lamido, Ibrahim Saminu Turaki and the incumbent, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar. They all did their best to change the face of a once castigated state that used to come last in all human capital developmental indices. But Sule Lamido stands tall among them and marks his name as ‘the Father of Modern Jigawa’.

Lamido’s eight-year reign oversaw what many described as aggressive transformation in human, economic and infrastructural development. He changes the face of Jigawa from the poorest, least attractive and least-known state to one of the prettiest states where humans live a decent life. To use his own words, Lamido described Jigawa, under his leadership, as a state with new human species where things are done differently.

Lamido’s administration from 2007 to 2015 transforms every sector, ranging from education, agriculture, infrastructure, economy, etc. Hence, the administration was ranked as one of the best, if not the best, ever seen in any state in Nigeria since 1999.

In 2015, when the All Progressives Congress (APC) overtook power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the federal level down to every elective position in Jigawa, Lamido and his men were left in ruins, crying over their downfall. The worst of it was the defeat of Aminu Ibrahim Ringim, the PDP’s and Lamido’s gubernatorial candidate in the election, and the victory of Muhammad Badaru Abubakar of the APC as the governor.

In 2019, as the incumbent, Badaru Abubakar, sought re-election, Aminu Ringim reemerged as PDP and Lamido’s gubernatorial candidate to wrestle power from the APC led administration. Aminu Ringim lost again, and things started to get rough between him and Lamido. Blames were traded between the two camps, and allegations became severe. The once amicable relationship got frosty. But, there was no love lost between the two in the end.

As the 2023 elections draw nearer, Aminu Ringim and his supporters have decamped to the new and fast-growing party, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). This has left the main opposition party, the PDP, under Lamido incapacitated as several supporters have followed Aminu Ringim to NNPP.

One of the allegations made by Aminu Ringim’s camp before their defection was that Lamido planned to impose his son, Mustapha Sule Lamido, as the gubernatorial candidate. They claimed that Lamido never really wanted Aminu Ringim to govern Jigawa. According to them, Lamido deliberately scuttled Aminu Ringim’s ambitions to prepare for his son’s candidature at the end of Badaru Abubakar’s tenure in 2023.

As the saying goes, whatever is covered up will be brought to light. Aminu Ringim left PDP for NNPP, and Mustapha Sule Lamido bought nomination and expression of interest forms to contest for 2023 gubernatorial elections under PDP. PDP’s prospects in Jigawa have dwindled with the departure of Aminu Ringim and the strength of the ruling APC. Lamido’s ambition heats the atmosphere of Jigawa politics. People felt insulted, maligned and downgraded by the Lamido family.

Moreover, Mustapha Lamido is an inexperienced man with no single record of public service or political experience. He knows close to nothing about the state he aspires to lead, and people accuse him of having no human relations and lacking respect for the elders, especially the poor. It is well-known that he is just a spoilt kid who got extremely rich when his father was the governor. He has never held an administrative position in local, state or federal governments. Neither has he ever held any position in any political party. His only political experience is that he contested for Senate in 2019 and lost.

In another twist, recently, former Jigawa state governor Ibrahim Saminu Turaki joined forces with Lamidos to revive his diminishing political enterprises. The trio were spotted recently at a political gathering, and it was gathered that Turaki is eyeing a return to the Red Chamber. Whatever the calculation, Mustapha Lamido’s gubernatorial candidacy will not be sold to the Jigawa populace. Turaki is already past his glorious days, as Jigawa people see him as a drowning man trying to get his relevance back. Therefore, his addition to Lamido’s camp will never convince the average person in Jigawa to rally behind, support or vote for Mustapha Lamido as the next governor.

The worst of it all for Lamidos is that the Jigawa people consider their (Lamido’s) dynasty as another face of modern-day slavery. They are condemning Sule Lamido’s moral decadence, from being the champion for the emancipation of the poor and downtrodden under the tutelage of late Mallam Aminu Kano to a dictator trying to impose monarchy in democracy by making his son a governor. Perhaps, after Mustapha’s reign, Lamido will choose another son to succeed him, and the cycle will continue with the Jigawa people under the permanent leadership of Lamido’s family.

But the burden is on the shoulder of all the Jigawa people. The state is not under monarchy or dictatorship; we’re under democracy, and leaders will emerge through our votes. So we should fight for our rights and the freedom of our children, remain true to ourselves and take better actions that will bring about a better tomorrow for the next generation.

We will fight this imposition and keep Jigawa under true democracy where a son of nobody can be somebody. We will neither relent nor surrender because no one else can mislead us and trump upon our liberation. Our choice is clear: we can’t allow monarchy in our democracy. We have several competent people with good character and track record of public service coupled with experience and exposure, capable of leading our state to greater heights.

Kabir Musa Ringim wrote from Hadejia via ringimkabir@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Kano State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Shehu Na’Allah Kura, has resigned to join the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

A statement signed Thursday, March 19, 2022, by the state commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammadu Garba, disclosed.

The NNPP has continued to record success as other party members, particularly APC, who felt slighted, flooded to join the party (NNPP).

The statement reads, “One of the commissioners nominated for appointment by Senator Ibrahim Shekarau into the administration of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in the lucrative ministry of finance and economic development, Shehu Na’Allah Kura, has resigned and joined his boss.”

Although Kura has yet to publicly announce his defection from the APC to NNPP, he is believed to have joined his boss, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.

Senator Ibrahim Shekarau officially joined NNPP on March 18, 2022.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Another political crisis is rocking the Kano chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) as the endorsed deputy governorship candidate, Murtala Sule Garo, is reportedly mulling over defection to the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje endorsed Garo to pair with the current deputy governor, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, as governor in the 2023 gubernatorial election.

However, Garo was said to have felt slighted following a peace parley between Governor Ganduje and his political arch-enemy, Senator Barau Jibrin.

Recall that Ganduje had reconciled with Barau and agreed to step down for him for the Kano North senatorial ticket after the senator abandoned his gubernatorial ambition. 

According to a source who preferred not to be named, Garo plans to discuss the issue with his associates for a final decision.

He said, “he is planning to meet with his associates and make [a] concrete decision, but he is still very sad about the development (Barau back in the fold), but he has not defected or abandoned the ticket,” one source, who asked not to be named, said.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Kano State Government has clarified the fake news on explosion. An explosion rocked Kano at the early hours of Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

It was earlier reported that it was a bomb blast on many social media platforms. However, the State Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, has dismissed the erroneous claim.

On the other hand, the Kano State’s Police Commissioner, Sama’ila Shuaibu Dikko, said it was a gas explosion.

“It was a gas explosion. There was a welder around the area and his gas cylinder exploded just very close to a private school… we have recovered four casualties, including the welder and a female. No child was affected,” Dikko told journalists after the incident.

While cautioning people to desist from sharing unsubstantiated stories, the Commissioner added that further investigations were underway.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Police in Sokoto have gunned down one protester and left many others injured as the angry youths demanded the release of two suspects connected with the killing of Deborah Samuel, who was accused of blasphemy.

The Daily Reality reported how Samuel, a Student of Shehu Shagari College of Education,  faced the wrath of death by her fellow students following her blasphemous utterances against Prophet Muhammad (SAW) Friday, 13 May 2022.

The protesters took to the major streets of Sokoto state metropolis on Saturday morning, demanding the release of the two suspects arrested.

 The Daily Reality gathered that the protest was initially peaceful and was started at the Zabirah Mall roundabout.

The incident that took place around 9 am on Saturday had many youths in attendance holding placards that read “Release our Muslim Brothers,” “Muslims Are Not Terrorists”, among others.

Our reporters learned that the protesters headed to the palace of Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III.

However, they were blocked by a team of joint security operatives who used tear gas canisters to disperse them.

As for now, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of the state has imposed a curfew to mitigate violence trying to emerge. 

By Uzair Adam Imam

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state has imposed curfew on the state to mitigate violence, as protesters demanding the release of the two suspected youth over the killing of Deborah Emmanuel roamed the state’s streets.

Emmanuel, a student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, has allegedly blasphemed the prophet of Islam, Muhammad peace be upon him, the development that led to her killing Friday, May 13th, 2022.

Tambuwal said in a statement, “Following the sad incident that happened at the Shehu Shagari College of Education on Thursday and sequel to the developments within (Sokoto) metropolis this morning till afternoon, by the powers conferred on me by Section 176 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and Sections 1 and 4 of the Public Order Act; and, also Section 15 of Sokoto State Peace Preservation Law, I hereby declare, with immediate effect, a curfew within (Sokoto) metropolis of Sokoto township for the next 24 hours.

“I appeal to the good people of Sokoto State to kindly continue to observe law and order and calm down (on the) restiveness currently pervading in the metropolis.

“Everyone should, please, in the interest of peace go back home and observe this measure, with a view to reestablishing peace, law and order in the state.

“It is not in the interest of anyone for us to have a breakdown of law and order. I, therefore, appeal for restraint; and for people to observe and respect the rule of law. Thank you very much,” he stated.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Kaduna State Government has banned all forms of religious protests in the state.

The State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, made this known on Saturday, May 14, 2022.

According to the Press Statement signed by the Commissioner, violators of the ban will be prosecuted.

“The Kaduna State Government, in consultation with security agencies under the umbrella of the Kaduna State Security Council, has placed a ban on protests related to religious activity throughout the State with immediate effect,” part of the statement reads.

Mr Aruwan argued that the ban becomes imperative owing to security reports that some unpatriotic elements want to thwart the peace of Kaduna State by organising a series of protests in support of and against a recent happening in one of the Northern Nigerian States.

The ban is coming after a protest organised in Sokoto State for the release of the alleged murderers of one Deborah Yakubu turned violent.

The terse statement further warns that the security agencies in the state will not condone any protest wearing the garb of religion.

“Security agencies have thus resolved that any attempt by individuals or groups to disrupt the peace and stability of the State, by way of religious protests, will not be condoned. Such protests will be promptly halted and conveners prosecuted.”

By Murtala Uba Mohammed

Governor Ganduje’s romance with capital project is too obvious and apparent. Only a bias mind can deny him his love for billion of Naira capital projects such as construction of some urban roads, underpasses and flyovers which qualify the city to lead in terms of transport infrastructure all over the country. Governor Ganduje’s interest in commerce and revenue drive is quite vivid considering his bias towards conversion of every available inch of land in the metropolis into commercial property. This is in addition to the proliferation of shops created in over ten markets in Kano Metropolis. In his zeal to generate revenue, Baban Abba has transformed Kano Road Traffic Management Agency (KAROTA) from law traffic enforcement to tax collection agency!

History of Kano would definitely remember this government of converting some of the most sacred spaces such as prayer grounds, cemeteries and historical places into commercial plots. While, Colonel Idris Garba has found it wiser to relocate Kano City Animal Market from its old location to accommodate the increase demand for bigger Kano Central Eid Ground and to give the ancient city a kind of Eid ground it deserves; Ganduje felt it is necessary to downsize it to nearly one fifth of its original size in order to make way for his dearest commercial land use. In fact, governor Ganduje’s romance with commerce qualified him to have national honour award of commercial order for Niger (CON)!

It is also obvious that governor Ganduje has given Kano more than what it requires as centre of commerce by converting the remaining open spaces, green areas, blue ecosystems and city’s recreational gardens into commercial plots, leading to the emergence of multi-million plazas in all parts of the already gentrified city. The case of destruction of the last phase of the city wall along BUK road, the Freedom pond along Gwarzo Road, the Dan’agundi on BUK Road and many other smaller water bodies are just tips of Ganduje’s land conversion icebergs. A case of city garden along Maiduguri is another justification for his romance with commerce.

Also, many waste collection centres were either allocated to Ganduje’s political lieutenants to develop it for commercial use or sold to a highest bidder. No thanks to irrational desperate attitude of Kano people to land acquisition which Bandirawo capitalized upon and coupled with the creation of plots on many state’s parks located in peri-urban local government under the forestry department of Ministry of Environment. Ganduje would have converted city’s Zoological Garden to commercial plot if not for the outcry and serious pressure from good sons and daughters of the State.

While, expanding the commercial land use and (possibly) enlarging what goes into supposedly state IGR, the government action is negatively affecting the environment. The governors love for the building of commercial areas at the expense of other landuses affects the functioning of the ecosystem there by distorting the near equilibrium state of the environment. A city without parks and green areas is just like child whose nose was covered or severed; suffocation is inevitable and death is the end point. Our governor (whom the law saddled with responsibility of land protection) should be reminded that the green areas are not just for decoration, they are carbon sink meant to absorb harmful air like Carbon dioxide, Sulphur oxides, chlorofloro carbons and other pollutants which are hazardous to human health. They also help in moisture retention, groundwater recharge, check soil erosion and ecosystem stability. The importance extends to social and economic contribution by providing revenue, connecting people with past and providing shades. Kano City is already noisy, building more roads and destroying greens which this administration is supporting and encouraging, make people to own more cars and reduce the functional attenuation city’s noise. In a city where transport is not regulated and left at the mercy of highly informal private individuals, one will just end up with a growth that is going in a reverse way. Today, only God knows the number of tricycles in Kano that pollute the air and colliding with peoples’ vehicles.

Nowhere, water and blue infrastructure is as important as dryland, however, unfortunate the protector turns destroyer. The city therefore is witnessing urban drought due to water table dwindling. The city dwellers now buy water from cart-pusher, whose hygienic condition is terribly bad, at the rate of 50 to 100 naira per 25 litre jerrycan. The state’s own water supply is just a nightmare.

Kano city now witnesses intrusion of newly emerged hills, not of lava, rather of refuse. This is a clear pointer to the problem of rush in privatizing the long-time government’s REMASAB to a very little-known private company. Surprisingly, rather leasing the formal areas (where pilot testing were done through Franchisee System), the government decided to include the informal areas where residents are overwhelmingly poor and unlikely to afford commercial waste service. The government had successfully improved its revenue by not shouldering part of its social responsibilities, but it had traded-off the health and well-being of the public for worthless amount of money. The city-folk now pay the price through living in the mid of waste.

No matter how crucial it is, revenue is not in any way akin to destruction of environment. One can get good revenue without depriving the environment its decency. This can be achieved through verticalization of buildings where shop demands can be met without losing open and green areas. Also, city’s green and open spaces can be privatized in their natural state to generate more revenue. The recent proliferation of Event centres and sport Centres can utilize the city’s ponds and open spaces without necessary building up permanent structure.

While the state makes a lot of noise on domination of public transport by Adaidaita sahu tricycle where revenue was difficult to generate, not much was done to introduce more formal public mass transit such as Bus Rapid Transit and Bus Mini Transit that would fetch more revenue to the government with less damage to the environment. It is still not late for the government to reverse and rethink of best ways to manage the waste generated. Commercial, industrial and formal areas can be made to pay for waste services, but not slum and shanty areas. Let the state engage radically in educating and reorienting the citizens, this will make people to be more formal in their businesses, and which will eventually boost the state’s revenue.

It is important to note that for every city to be liveable, certain ecological services and resources must be retained at all cost. Failure to keep them is tantamount to exhibiting nonchalant attitude to nature despite that Nigeria is a signatory to most environmental treaties. It implies that one is at war with descent living. I am afraid, history will judge this administration for destroying the little it inherits of environmental heritage in the name of foolhardy capitalism. I hope His Excellency was not punishing us for someone’s faults. Other individuals might have done some wrongs to him, but let him remember that he has no place like Kano. Let us give Kano a descent ecosystem, not only for us but for the yet to be born generations.

Murtala teaches Geography at Bayero University, Kano.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

A father of a four-year-old girl, Khadijah Abdullahi, popularly known as “Ilham” has recounted the traumatic incident of how his neighbour allegedly connived with some people, kidnapped and killed his daughter after collecting ransom at Tilden Fulani, Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi state. 

Speaking to The Daily Reality, the father, Abdullahi Yusuf, said the girl was abducted during the Ramadan fasting period on April 11, 2022. But according to the Nigeria Security & Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), they received this shocking information on Saturday, 23rd of April, 2022.

Yusuf narrated how the suspect mercilessly strangled the little Ilham to death and later buried her in the kitchen of his house, and kept on demanding more ransom.

The prime suspect, identified as Alhaji Kabiru Abdullahi, was said to have sympathized with the victim’s father and joined a group of people who trooped out in search of the innocent Ilham before the investigation pinned him down. Though, another suspect, Alhaji Yawale was apprehended by the NSCDC officers of Toro Division.

The incident has left the Tilden Fulani community in great fear, as parents were left in the dark.

A source, Hussaini Narabi, confided in our reporter that they took to their social media platforms to announce the mysterious disappearance of the little Ilham and post her pictures.

He said, “However, Ilham was not found, but the alleged abductor was arrested by the security personnel.”

My last moment with little Ilham – father

Recounting the traumatic experience, Abdullahi Yusuf, the father of the murdered innocent girl, said he had a joyous moment with his little kid before he finally made for the market where he was running his business. 

He said, “It happened one Friday when Ilham went out in the company of her little friends to school. In the early hours of that day, before I went to the market, Ilham came to me with excitement asking me to buy her biscuit. 

“Sadly enough, on that same day, I was called by her mother around 5 pm to inform me that Ilham was missing. I didn’t hesitate to run back home.

“We trooped in search of Ilham, unknown to us that we will never see her again. Despite an exhaustive search for her, we went back home hopelessly as the search was fruitless. 

“A few days later, the abductors contacted me demanding for N1million ransom. They resolved to accept N150,0000 after a serious bargain.

‘Suspect spying on me’

Yusuf said he began to suspect his neighbour, Alhaji Kabiru, when he sent his son to spy on him every morning. 

He said, “One day when the boy came in early in the morning, I threatened to break his legs if I ever saw him again in such hours. 

“Two days later, my neighbour packed to another area without informing me. Since then, I began suspecting him. So I went ahead to tell the police who came to investigate the matter. 

“On seeing them, the man, to the surprise of anyone, began to yell for help atop his voice. They arrested him. And after a thorough investigation, the man confessed to both kidnapping and killing my little Ilham. 

Yusuf described his neighbour as ruthless when he saw IIlham’s corpse as she was unburied. 

Speaking, the Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakili, confirmed the incident but said the case is yet to be brought to the command.

He said, “The case is with Bauchi State Civil Defence. I watched it on TV news. But they are yet to bring the case to the police.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

Amidst Sallah (Eid-el-Fitr) celebration, when people jubilate the end of Ramadan in new clothes and different sorts of delicious dishes, civil servants in Kano have seen their 4th day of a new month without salaries, the development they said has thrown them and their families into dilemma.

Reacting with dismay, the workers said the government has failed to keep to its promise of paying the salaries on the 25th of every month.

The Daily Reality learnt that some workers had to hide because they could not make any provision to welcome and host their friends and relatives as usual.

The workers who bitterly complained about the government’s carelessness towards their wellbeing said they remained indoors on the Sallah days because they were economically depressed.

Eid-el-Fitr is the period when the Muslim faithful happily celebrate the end of Ramadan. The days are usually welcomed with beautifully sewed clothes, different sorts of delicious foods, and meats of all kinds provided they are Islamically lawful, and relatives from all walks will call on their family and friends to celebrate the day.

Salary delay leaves a big hole in our minds

One of the civil servants who spoke to our reporter said that he went ahead to embrace his old craft of sewing for a living. The civil servant, who our reporter found busy sewing in a tailoring shop, said this delay has left in their minds a very big hole.

He added, “I can not do what I used to do on Sallah days. I couldn’t afford to buy a single chicken for my family. We did not cook anything nor did we have any new clothes to wear.”I used to sit with friends after Eid to exchange greetings and share pleasantries. But this time around, as I was depressed, I remained indoors until 4 pm when I came out to pray,” he added.

Another source, Ibrahim Shu’aibu, decried the experience as horrendous as they largely depend on their monthly income for a living.

Shu’aibu said, “The experience is horrendous. The effect is deep. It has affected almost all aspects of our lives as civil servants. More than half of the civil servants rely on salaries to cater for themselves, their families as well as some members of their relatives.”

In the same vein, this incident has deeply affected many businesses in many states in this country, Kano in particular.”

Personally speaking, this Eid-el-Fitr has passed like an ordinary day. I had to hide because I didn’t make any provision to welcome and host my friends and relatives as usual,” he stated.

Also, another source who pleaded for anonymity confided in our reporter that this Sallah is one of the worse situations he ever found himself in. He said, “We didn’t cook anything for this Sallah because I was broke. And I couldn’t afford to buy Sallah attire for my small kids. Here we are living like baggers.”

The worst part of it is that the government keep mute about the issue. I think the government should have addressed us. But sadly enough, what we only hear or see from the government officials is their beautifully snapped pictures at Umara.”

Another worker, Sulaiman Abdullahi, not his real name, said they found it difficult to handle the situation as they mostly live from paycheck to paycheck.

He said, “that’s why most of the workers are indebted beyond settlement. As we receive our salaries, we go ahead to pay the debt. I know you can imagine how hard we civil servants live our lives.”

Kano economy in a chain – Economist

An economist teaching in one of the Kano institutions lamented that the state economy is in a chain, leaving a lot many sectors affected. The economist said the delay in this month’s salary has affected many businesses, leading to the stop in the facilitation of goods and services in the state.

He further stated that “generally, the state economy is the dependent economy. It is dependent because it depends on workers’ salaries. When workers get paid at the end of every month, they will take their income into circulation by purchasing goods and services.

“At the end of this month, workers have not been paid. The facilitation of goods and services from various markets in the state will stop.

“The welfare of workers and their families will be affected. The state economic facilitation and activities are also stopped. And in long run, it will give a gap in which businesses will be dropped. And if it dropped it will create losses,” he said.

Could Kano State Government respond?

In line with balancing this report, our reporter contacted the Kano State Chief Press Secretary, Malam Abba Anwar, to know the cause of the delay in this month’s salary payment. However, all attempts were proved abortive despite huge complaints by the workers about the government’s silence on the issue.