Politics

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared the winner of the Imo State governorship election, dominating with 540,308 votes.

The announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) came from the state Returning Officer, Prof. Abayomi Fasina. Uzodimma’s triumph extended across all 27 Local Government Areas, setting the stage for his second term, set to commence with the swearing-in ceremony on January 14, 2024. 

Controversy marred the declaration as the State Agent of the Labour Party, Callistus Ihejiagwa, was forcefully removed after alleging result manipulation in favor of the APC.

The PDP, along with the LP, has called for the poll’s outright cancellation, citing rigged results.

Tensions remain high as calls for investigations into alleged irregularities persist.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

After months of rigorous campaigns and preparations, Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States are set to elect new governors today.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reported that 5,169,692 voters collected their permanent voter cards out of the 5,409,438 registered voters across the three states. 

In Bayelsa State, out of the 1,056,862 registered voters, 1,017,613 collected their PVCs, leaving 39,249 PVCs uncollected. Imo State witnessed 2,318,919 collected out of 2,419,922 registered, with 101,003 PVCs still uncollected.

Meanwhile, Kogi State reported 1,833,160 collected PVCs out of 1,932,654 registered, leaving 99,494 uncollected. 

Incumbent governors Douye Diri (Bayelsa) and Hope Uzodimma (Imo) seek re-election, while 18 candidates vie for the Kogi State governorship. 

In Imo State, the APC’s Hope Uzodimma faces stiff competition from 17 candidates, with Samuel Anyanwu (PDP) and Athan Achonu (Labour Party) emerging as top contenders.

In Bayelsa, Governor Douye Diri (PDP) contends with 15 other candidates, notably Timipre Sylva (APC). 

Kogi State sees a race between APC’s Usman Ododo, PDP’s Dino Melaye, SDP’s Muri Ajaka, and ADC’s Leke Abejide, among others. 

Despite confidence from incumbent governors, opposition candidates in Imo and Bayelsa assert that the current leadership has performed poorly. 

Unfortunately, all three states have witnessed instances of violence resulting in casualties. The police and security agencies assure voters of their safety during the election, emphasizing a commitment to maintaining order and safeguarding the democratic process.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ruled to sack Musa Ilyasu Kwankwaso of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and reinstate Yusuf Umar Datti of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as the rightful representative of the Kura/Madobi/Garun Malam Federal Constituency election in Kano State. 

The ruling was made by a three-man panel led by Justice Tunde Oyebamiji Awotoye, who stated that Datti’s appeal had merit and allowed it to proceed.

The panel criticized the tribunal’s decision to count the date of the appellant’s resignation on the day of his party primary, emphasizing that Section 77 of the Electoral Act was misapplied.

They clarified that the matter of membership within a political party is an internal affair, beyond the jurisdiction of the court. 

This ruling marks a significant victory for Yusuf Umar Datti and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, reaffirming the importance of fair electoral processes and adherence to legal procedures.

By Sabiu Abdullahi  

France has announced its decision to return a total of $150 million that was stolen by the former Head of State, the late General Sani Abacha, back to Nigeria.

Mrs. Catherine Colonna, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, made this announcement during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday. 

During the briefing, Mrs Colonna revealed that the fund would be returned to Nigeria in the form of a grant.

She stated, “France will return to Nigeria the assets stolen from the Nigerian people by General Sani Abacha and his family, that have been frozen in France since 2021.”

She further mentioned that discussions would be initiated with the Nigerian government to allocate these funds to development projects that would benefit the population, in alignment with the priorities of the Nigerian government. 

Mrs Colonna, who was in Nigeria to meet with the new government, emphasized France’s commitment to strengthen cooperation with Nigeria in various sectors.

She highlighted the economic partnership between the two countries, mentioning that more than 100 French companies are actively operating in Nigeria, creating jobs, establishing factories, farms, and vocational training centers. 

Furthermore, Mrs Colonna shared France’s goal of increasing investments in Nigeria and promoting reciprocal investments by Nigerian companies in France.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Nigerian Senate has passed the N2.18 trillion 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill, a request for consideration by President Bola Tinubu.

The bill, which was presented to the Senate during Tuesday’s plenary session, received expedited attention as requested by President Tinubu in his letter to the Senate. 

The Chairman of the Senate Committee of Appropriations, Solomon Adeola, laid the report before the Red Chamber on Thursday, leading to the bill’s express approval.

Reports indicate that the Committee on Appropriations had engaged with key ministers heading the agencies outlined in the supplementary budget, including the Minister of Works, David Umahi; Minister of Housing, Ahmed Dangiwa; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Minister of State for Defence, Hon. Bello Matawale; and service chiefs. 

Prior to the bill’s passage, the Senate adopted a harmonised report compiled from discussions in both chambers concerning the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill, submitted by Senator Adeola. Lawmakers emphasised that swift approval was in the best interest of the nation. 

Senator Adeola stated that his committee had meticulously reviewed the budget details with input from relevant sub-committees and heads of the benefiting ministries, departments, and agencies of the government. 

Following a thorough clause-by-clause consideration, the Senate adopted the Committee’s report without any alterations, returning it to the President.

This decisive action underscores the Senate’s commitment to national fiscal responsibility and ensuring the timely allocation of resources for the country’s development projects.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has issued a strict warning against unauthorised attendance at Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings.

Specifically addressing his son, Seyi Tinubu, and other individuals, President Tinubu emphasised the need for adherence to established security protocols during the vital national discussions. 

The president named the only approved attendees, including his Special Advisers and key staff members, stressing that no one else should participate without his explicit invitation.

He directed top officials to enforce this directive, ensuring the integrity of FEC meetings. 

President Tinubu also praised the recent successful bilateral meetings with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and urged ministers to focus on innovative reforms to attract investors.

He noted the importance of creative solutions for enhancing Nigeria’s investment opportunities.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, has appeared again to conduct a press conference in the aftermath of the judgement passed by the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal in favour of President Bola Tinubu. 

Below is the full text of the press conference: 

Protocol. 

Gentlemen of the Press. Someone asked me what I would do if I lost my election petition appeal at the Supreme Court. In response, I said that as long as Nigeria wins, the struggle would have been worth the while. By that, I meant that the bigger loss would not be mine but Nigeria’s if the Supreme Court legitimizes illegality, including forgery, identity theft, and perjury.  

If the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, implies by its judgment that crime is good and should be rewarded, then Nigeria has lost and the country is doomed irrespective of who occupies the Presidential seat. If the Supreme Court decides that the Electoral umpire, INEC, can tell the public one thing and then do something else in order to reach a corruptly predetermined outcome, then there is really no hope for the country’s democracy and electoral politics.  

Obviously, the consequences of those decisions for the country will not end at the expiration of the current government. They will last for decades. I am absolutely sure that history will vindicate me. We now know what the Supreme Court has decided. 

At critical points in my political life, I always ignored the easy but ignoble path and chosen the difficult but dignified path, the path of truth, of morality, of democracy and rule of law.  

I always chose freedom over servitude, whatever the personal discomforts my choice entails. When I joined politics, the critical challenge was easing the military out of power so that civilian democratic governance could be restored in Nigeria. It later became a very defining struggle, and, as one of the leaders of that struggle, I was targeted for elimination.  

In one incident, nine policemen guarding my home in Kaduna were murdered in an attempt to assassinate me. I was also forced into exile for nine (9) months. In addition, my interest in a logistics company that I co-owned was confiscated and given to friends of the military government. As Vice President in the civilian government that succeeded the military, I, again at great personal cost, chose to oppose the extension of the tenure of the government beyond the two four-year terms enshrined in our constitution.  

In response to the official backlash against me, I instituted several cases in the courts, which led to seven landmark decisions that helped to deepen our democracy and rule of law. At the current historic moment, the easier option for me would have been to fold up and retreat after the mandate banditry perpetrated by the APC and INEC.  

But I went to the Nigerian courts to seek redress. I even went to an American court to help with unravelling what our state institutions charged with such responsibilities were unwilling or unable to do, including unravelling the qualifying academic records of the person sworn in as our President and by implication, hopefully who he really is.  

I offered that evidence procured with the assistance of the American Court to our Supreme Court to help it to do justice in this case. I give this background to underscore that what we are currently dealing with is bigger than one or two presidential elections and is certainly bigger than Atiku Abubakar. It is not about me; it is about our country, Nigeria. It is about the kind of society we want to leave for the next generation and what kind of example we want to set for our children and their children.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Adamawa State Governorship Election Tribunal has upheld Umaru Fintiri’s victory in the March 2023 governorship election.

Fintiri, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), secured 430,861 votes, defeating Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who received 398,738 votes.

The tribunal’s ruling dismissed challenges from Dahiru and other contestants, affirming Fintiri as the legitimate winner.

The decision highlights the principles of Nigeria’s electoral process, providing a clear path for Fintiri to continue his governance in Adamawa State.

By Mansur Hassan, PhD

Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Executive Governor of Kano State, has recently shed light on the alleged misappropriation of funds by Nigerian governors, exposing lack of impactful policies.

Over the past eight years, Kano State witnessed a dearth of policies that benefit the less privileged directly. In contrast, the Kwankwasiyya administration, led by Abba Gida Gida, has swiftly demonstrated its prowess in governance within five months, particularly through transformative healthcare and educational ‘revolution’ spanning from primary to tertiary levels.

Under Kwankwasiyya’s leadership, there has been a significant focus on education, including sponsoring first-class graduates to foreign universities—an initiative emulated by other nations. The educational revolution initiated during the 1999-2003 and 2011-2015 periods has left an enduring mark, with numerous scholars benefiting from foreign scholarships.

However, the governors who presided over the state from 2015 to 2023 failed to implement any substantial policies for the state’s improvement. Criticism was leveled against the transformative programs introduced by H.E. Abba Kabir Yusuf, particularly after the mass wedding event known as “auren ‘yangata.” The sponsorship of 1001 first-class graduates further intensified opposition, with the former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, dismissing the program as useless.

This criticism seemingly stemmed from the program’s focus on underprivileged children, contrasting with Ganduje’s past sponsorship of his own children’s education abroad. The clash underscores a debate on priorities and equitable policies in Kano State.

Dr. Mansur Hassan is a Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano

By Sabiu Abdullahi

In a recent press conference held in Kano, the renowned Hausa political singer, Rarara, made startling accusations against Nigeria’s immediate-past president, Muhammadu Buhari.

Rarara, who gained fame for his unwavering support for Buhari through numerous hit songs, publicly voiced his regret over endorsing the former president.

He accused Buhari of leaving behind a crumbling economy for the current president, Bola Tinubu. 

Rarara’s criticisms were not limited to Buhari alone; he also questioned the current administration’s silence regarding what he described as the alleged financial mismanagement during Buhari’s tenure.

He called for transparency and openness, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness in governance.

The singer warned against building the foundation of the current administration on falsehoods, highlighting the potential disastrous consequences such a path could lead to for the nation. 

He expressed deep concern over the destruction he claims Buhari caused to the country and urged the current administration to openly acknowledge these challenges to the Nigerian people. 

When asked about his regret for supporting Buhari, Rarara openly admitted his disappointment, stating that he had supported the former president blindly, hoping that Buhari would address the damage caused by the previous administration.

He emphasized the need for transparency and honesty in governance, urging leaders to be accountable to the citizens they serve. In addition to his criticisms, Rarara highlighted his significant contributions to the success of the ruling party.

He asserted his right to have a say in political appointments, citing his pivotal role in supporting President Tinubu’s victory.

The singer argued that his efforts, particularly in the northern region, warranted recognition, either in the form of a political appointment or the opportunity to recommend individuals for such positions.