News

By Sumayyah Auwal Usman

Ahead of its national convention, youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the 19 northern states under the auspices of Concerned Northern APC Youth Forum has called for unity among members of the party for a hitch-free convention. 

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the Chairman, Concerned Northern APC Youth Forum (CNAYF), Hon. Suleiman Liba said, “the All Progressive Congress must stick to the plan and ensure we get it right through internal party democracy since true democratic tenets entail that a few may have their say, but the majority should have their way”.  

On the 2023 Presidential election, Hon. Liba said, “We must commend the readiness and resolved of the masses, especially within the Northern part of the country, to participate massively in the electioneering processes through to 2023”. 

According to the group, the Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, stands as the worthy successor to President Muhammadu Buhari come 2023. They said, “the man’s antecedents of excellence speak volume, and his achievements in Ebonyi state are there for everyone to see”. 

“CNAYF further throws her weights behind the candidature of Engr David Nweze Umahi for President, as it reflects the wish of the people, especially from the North,” he said.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

A Federal High Court sitting at Abuja on Monday, February 21, refused a bail application brought by counsel to the embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.

Kyari’s Lawyer, Cynthia Ikenna, brought the ex parte application on health grounds. 

Mr Kyari has been held by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on allegations that border on aiding and abetting drug pushing and running his own drug cartel since February 14. 

While ruling on the application, the trial judge, Inyang Ekwo, ordered the defence counsel to put the NDLEA on notice to that effect. He also adjourned the suit till February 24 for a hearing. 

Shortly after court proceedings, Ms Ikenna reportedly told journalists that her client is diabetic and hypertensive.

The allegation by the NDLEA came some months after Kyari was indicted in an internet fraud case involving him and the popular Instagram sensation Ramon Abbas alias Hushpuppi by a U.S. court. The U.S. government had been interested in Kyari’s extradition since then.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Coalition of Concerned Northern Forum (CCNF)  has threatened to occupy all NNPC zonal offices and its subsidiaries if the current persistent issue of fuel scarcity is not being solved.

The group has also called on the NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Mele Kolo Kyari and Engr. Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (MDPRA), to resign.

They added that these people should tender their resignation within 72 hours over the persistent fuel scarcity in the country and their inability to solve the issue.

A statement jointly signed by the group’s chairman and the spokesman, Mallam Ibrahim Bature and Comrade Abdulsalam Moh’d Kazeem, respectively, disclosed.

The group also demanded that the NNPC management should make public genuine and comprehensive names of those involved in the current scarcity of petroleum products all over the country.

The statement reads: “if our demands are not met in the next three (3) working days, we shall occupy all NNPC zonal offices and its subsidiaries across our region and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“The mistake made by NNPC under the current management has caused us a lot as a nation; for instance, they claimed it will cost our nation over N200 billion to mop up and sanitize the adulterated fuel, and at the same time, we don’t have enough facilities, so they will have to evacuate the bad products first before we can have access to the new products.

“As at today, the said products have already damaged many automobiles, generators, machines and other sundry equipment of citizenry nationwide.”

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Kenya High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Wilfred Gisuka Machage died in an Abuja hospital on Saturday, February 19 at the age of 65. Machage’s twin brother, Sopester Magitar who was a Kenya Ambassador to Russia told newsmen of the sad development.

“It is a very sad moment that I have today lost my best friend and confidant” he reportedly said.

It was also gathered from sources close to the deceased that he fell ill and was rushed to the hospital where he died around 1pm.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Police in Ogun State have detained a man named Akinyemi Thomas for impersonating a Nigerian Police Force Inspector.

The 38-year-old Thomas was apprehended on Wednesday while police officers from Sagamu divisional headquarters and the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Godwin Idehai, were on routine patrol in their area.

Under the bridge on the Lagos-Ibadan highway, cops spotted the guy in full police camouflage clothing.

On Saturday, Abimbola Oyeyemi, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police, claimed that the suspect’s actions piqued the patrol team’s interest, and they stopped to question him.

Oyeyemi was quoted as saying, “Immediately the patrol vehicle stopped, the suspect took to his heels. He was then chased and apprehended.

“On interrogation, he confessed being a dismissed policeman, but using the uniform to extort unsuspecting members of the public.”

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Secretariat of the Students Representatives Council (SRC) of the Institute of Administration, Kongo, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was gutted by fire on Friday, February 18.

The secretariat, which served as an office and accommodation for SRC executives, was gutted by fire that reportedly started from a neighbouring shop at about 5:50 pm.

After speaking with the Director of Welfare of the ABU SRC, Comrade Usman Tukur Babangida, the Daily Reality gathered that the fire razed about two rooms down and personal properties of the students’ executives occupying those rooms were destroyed entirely. He also said other rooms of the SRC executives were partially affected.

Mr Tukur noted that if not for the timely intervention of the institution’s fire service, the fire would have razed down the entire secretariat and nearby buildings. 

The Daily Reality also gathered from sources who witnessed the accident that no loss of life or injury was recorded.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The G-7 faction of All Progressive Congress (APC), under the leadership of Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, sweared to have proceeded to the Supreme Court.

The faction said they will proceed to the supreme court over the crisis rocking the party in the state.

Ahmadu Haruna Zago revealed to BBC Hausa Service that their lawyers were studying the court’s ruling for a possible appeal. Zago said, “We will appeal. Abiding by the ruling is quite different from filing an appeal. Our lawyers are studying the court’s ruling.”

The Court of Appeal, Thursday in Abuja, has invalidated the ward and local government congress by the APC faction led by Senator Ibrahim Shekarau in Kano.

The court has rejected the judgment of an FCT High Court, which declared the Shekarau faction victorious.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Niger Republic has sought greater cooperation through the strengthening of students’ exchange programmes and other related issues on collaborations with tertiary institutions between the country and Kano State.

The Niger Republic Minister of Vocational training, Kassoum Mamane Moctar and his counterpart of Education and Scientific research, Dr Mamadou Djibo from the same neighbouring West African country, made the proposal.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Hassan Musa Fagge, in a statement signed Thursday, disclosed.

The minister said many years back, students from Niger Republic came to Nigeria, particularly Kano, to study in various tertiary institutions.

He said, “now we want that students exchange programme to be revived and sustained”.

“Through the partnership, we will promote quality of education and research in both our tertiary institutions, which will be of benefit to all of us,” he stated.

Responding on behalf of the Governor, his Deputy Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna said Kano State is ready to collaborate with Niger Republic in areas of interest and benefit.

Gawuna thanked the delegation from Niger Republic for the visit and assured them of cooperation.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Following a horrific attack on foreigners by criminals, the Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA) confirmed the death of another Nigerian, Nicholas John, in South Africa on Thursday.

Mr. Collins Mgbo, the President of NUSA, disclosed John’s death in a statement to NAN on Thursday.

On February 12, a mob allegedly attacked John, an Ogun State native, at his shop in Kimberly, Northern Cape, South Africa.

Many young Nigerians who immigrated to South Africa to find work have continued to perish.

According to NAN, at least 128 Nigerians have been slain in the erstwhile Rainbow Nation since the beginning of 2019.

On December 12, 2021, a man named Olusola Solarin died after hoodlums attacked him and stole his money.

Mgbo revealed that John’s South African wife had just been married for three months.

On the circumstances surrounding Nicholas’ death on Tuesday, the NUSA president stated that a South African gang assaulted him on February 11 for allegedly purchasing a stolen laptop.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has called on his rivals, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau and others, for reconciliation in order to enhance the unity and stability of the APC in Kano state.

Ganduje made the call a few moments after being declared victorious at the Court of Appeal in Abuja this morning. The governor, who said he was pleased with the judgment, has extended a hand of unity to Shekarau and the G-7 faction of the APC in the state.

The Daily Reality reports that the court of Appeal in Abuja has invalidated the ward and local government congress by the APC faction led by Senator Ibrahim Shekarau in Kano. The court has rejected the judgment of an FCT High Court, which declared the Shekarau faction victorious.

In an interview with the Daily Trust, while reacting to the court judgment, the governor said, “his confidence in the judiciary had been strong since the beginning of the case, and as such he is very happy with the judgment.”

Ganduje, who spoke through Malam Muhammad Garba, the state’s Commissioner of Information, said the judgment would further enhance the unity and stability of the APC in Kano state.