Politics

By Mukhtar Jarmajo

Great leaders not only have vision, they also share it with others and inspire many others to create their own. Leadership is simply about understanding present problems as they affect the future and taking concrete steps to solve the problems in such a way that the future will be better and brighter. And in the annals of Nigeria, many visionary leaders, who Nigerians are still enjoying from the fruits of their visionary leadership, have come and gone. Talk about Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nnamdi Azikwe, Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Michael Okpara, J. S. Tarka, Sir Kashim Ibrahim and a host of their contemporaries, they are remembered for their struggle for Nigeria’s independence as well as laying the country’s foundation in its journey to nationhood.

After them, many others have followed their foot steps. In the cause of time, Nigeria has had leaders whose footprints on the sands of time are indelible. The late Gen. Murtala Ramat Mohammed and the late Umaru Musa Yaradua are, respectively, remembered for both their anti-corruption posture and drive for national unity. In the same vein, Mallam Isa Yuguda, an economic czar, Nigeria’s former minister of transport and aviation respectively, and erstwhile Bauchi state governor, is celebrated for making immense contributions in the development of Nigeria’s banking sector, transforming the nation’s transport and aviation sectors as well as raising Bauchi state to a higher threshold of development.

Last Saturday, 16th December, 2023, in its maiden combined convocation ceremony, the Sa’adu Zungur University, Gadau, Bauchi state, awarded Mallam Isa Yuguda an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Management. At the ceremony, 7,543 graduates from six academic sessions were presented for the award of graduate and postgraduate degrees. At this juncture, it’s instructive to note that the point of interest is not that Isa Yuguda received an award or that the university has thus far graduated more than seven thousand students. Rather, what is most fascinating is the fact that Mallam Isa Yuguda established the University back in 2010 when he held sway as Bauchi state governor. Thus, through his visionary leadership, the erstwhile governor established what has become a prestigious center of excellence in learning.

At the time the University was established, there was the problem of many Bauchi state indigenous students not being able to gain admission into federal universities largely because of quota system and distance, especially for female students. But education is so important that at whatever cost, it must be gained. And given that one of the primary responsibilities of government is to ensure the security, safety and well-being of the citizenry through upholding law and order as well as providing healthcare services, education etcetera, the Isa Yuguda administration thought of building the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, a new Specialist Hospital and the Sa’adu Zungur University.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees at the convocation ceremony, Mallam Isa Yuguda noted that the University is a beacon of hope that will not only prepare the youth for future challenges but will also cause rapid socioeconomic development in Bauchi state. This is how visionary leaders shape the future of a nation. Mallam Isa Yuguda’s visionary approach in leadership is an example to present and future leaders and his Honourary Doctorate award by the Sa’adu Zungur University is a testament to his remarkable impact on education in not only Bauchi state in particular but also the entire nation in general.

Jarmajo wrote from Wuse 2, Abuja.

By Abbas Datti

In this political landscape, a legislator’s success is defined by the number of bills he sponsored and his contributions during plenary sessions within the hallowed chamber. Also, the impactful work he does in his community reveals the true character of a public servant. In this regard, the former Member of the House of Representatives, Fagge constituency, Rt Hon Aminu Suleiman Goro, stands tall as a shining example of dedication and selflessness as we compare his accomplishments to those of the incumbent Rep Member, Barr. Muhammad Bello Shehu.

Aminu Suleiman Goro served well as a Fagge Member of the House of Reps, and during his time, he left an indelible mark on our community. His commitment to the welfare and prosperity of Fagge’s constituents was unwavering, from improving infrastructure to advocating for better educational opportunities and carrying all constituents along when making decisions.

One of the most notable achievements during Aminu Goro’s tenure was the successful chairmanship of the House Committee of Tertiary Education and Services, which saw the establishment of numerous Universities, federal Colleges of education, and many more tertiary institutions. 

Goro’s massive empowerment programs supporting women and the vulnerable with small businesses, promoting job creation, and investing in infrastructure projects helped breathe new life into Fagge communities. Unemployment rates fell, and new businesses flourished, bringing economic stability to Fagge constituents.

Education was also a top priority for Aminu Suleiman Goro. He fought for increased funding for universities and tertiary institutions, ensuring our children had access to quality education. Fagge constituents benefitted immensely from the federal government scholarships and educational programs, providing opportunities for Fagge youth to thrive.

In a bewildering contrast, Barr. M.B Shehu has failed to carry the torch of progress set by his predecessor. Key initiatives initiated during Goro’s term have been left in limbo, and we have seen a noticeable lack of enthusiasm for addressing the issues that matter most to Fagge constituents.

Despite Aminu Suleiman’s legacy, M. B Shehu has not shown the same commitment to improving lives and schools or ensuring job opportunities. Constituents have felt the difference, and it’s time we reflect on what we’ve lost since the change in representation.

Goro served the Fagge constituency with dedication and a genuine desire to improve the lives of the people he represented. His legacy shines brightly when compared to Barr. Muhammad Bello has not been able to continue the trajectory of works that Goro established. 

Abbas Datti writes from Kano via abbasdatti448@gmail.com.

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

Zamfara State has a sweet-bitter story: massive reserves of mineral resources, including gold, iron ore, granite, limestone, chromate, etc., but illegal mining of gold and other minerals has led to making the state and its neighbours one of the hotspots of banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria.

Zamfara occupies a very important spot in the history of northern Nigeria, being one of the regions in the old Hausa Kingdoms and one of the roots of the Usman Danfodio Jihad of 1804, but its current story is mostly associated with senseless insecurity and bad news.

Zamfara has produced some prominent people who have served Nigeria and humanity well, but nowadays, one cannot talk of misgovernance in northern Nigeria without also pointing at Zamfara state as well.

One cannot talk of the rich culture and important towns in northern Nigeria without mentioning Zamfara. Zamfara hosts some prominent towns in northern Nigeria: Gusau, Kauran Namoda, Anka, Gummi, Talata Mafara, etc.

Some 12 years ago, Zamfara State began to have its fair share of banditry and poverty in Northern Nigeria. There are 8.33 million out-of-school children in northwest Nigeria; when Governor Dauda Lawal took over the state’s affairs, Zamfara accounted for a significant number of this figure. Insecurity, kidnapping, and school closures are some of the factors responsible for the increase in the number of out-of-school children.

In the 2023 gubernatorial election, the people of Zamfara boldly moved away from the past—it was not only surprising, but it shocked the polity. In the presidential election, the Zamfara people voted for the All Progressive Congress (APC), and President Bola Tinubu won the state, but in the gubernatorial election, Zamfarawa voted against the ruling APC in the state; they voted for something entirely new.

But why did the Zamfara people, for the first time in 24 years, massively vote for something outside their traditional trajectory? And why the unnecessary distraction against Governor Dauda Lawal by former Governor Bello Mutawalle and co.? First, let’s look at the man, Dauda Lawal: He is a new-breed politician but an experienced technocrat—someone who is completely outside the ‘system’ borrowing from the language of politicians.

Governor Dauda twice contested the Zamfara PDP gubernatorial primary election and won it twice with a wide margin, beating all his opponents. He is the only gubernatorial candidate whose election was challenged twice in the court of law, but he prevailed. Dauda Lawal spent over 25 years in banking, reaching an Executive Director position at the First Bank. He has over 26 years of post-qualification experience, which covers commercial and public sector banking.

So why the distraction Governor Dauda is facing now when he is trying to tackle insecurity, poverty, out-of-school children, misgovernance, etc.? Recently, there were some shocking revelations from the Zamfara state government: the Zamfara cargo airport and the uncompleted governor’s lodge in the 14 local government areas of the state. Documents released by the Zamfara state government showed that former Governor Bello Matawalle approved the release of over one billion naira for the fencing, landscaping, and furnishing of the governor’s lodge in 14 local areas even before the projects began.

Similarly, the Zamfara state government also released some documents showing that Matawalle has also embezzled over N4.5 billion from the abandoned Zamfara Airport Project, describing the project as a scam and citing what it called dubious transactions. However, Matawalle has denied all the accusations and said that he inherited the Cargo Airport Project from the previous government, saying all the allegations against him were nothing but calculated mischief and diversionary tactics by Governor Dauda Lawal’s government.

In every story, there are three sides: the two sides of the story and the truth, but the truth must be from one of the two sides. But questions need to be asked. Why did the Zamfara people opt for something new and someone ‘fresh’ in the 2023 gubernatorial election? Why did misgovernance and insecurity stay in Zamfara before now? Why is the current government of Zamfara State facing unnecessary distraction? Why is the opposition to the current Zamfara government oiled from the outside of the state, but the masses are supporting the government? The answer to all these questions is likely one: Governor Dauda Lawal seems to have found the silver bullet to solve Zamfara’s headaches: insecurity, poverty, misgovernance, and corruption. If Governor Dauda Lawal succeeds, many people will not only be out of politics but will also be out of the sights and minds of the Zamfara masses, thus the needless distraction to stop Governor Dauda Lawal.

A look at what happened and is happening in Zamfara State: it is obvious that the Zamfara local people’s worldview on governance has changed; they are thirsty for a new beginning free from banditry, corruption, poverty, and mismanagement of the state’s resources, but they also value accountability, inclusivity, responsiveness, and transparency in their aspirations and needs.

Governor Dauda Lawal promised them during his campaign that he would leverage his experience as a technocrat, technology, and people for efficient service delivery and prioritise sustainability and immediate local needs, not white elephant projects. He also promised to face the bandits head-on while protecting human rights and addressing the challenges that birthed insecurity. Thus, many public analysts are of the view that former Governor Bello Mutawalle should have used his current position as Minister of State Defence to work with Governor Dauda Lawal to tackle the security challenges in the state, not unnecessarily distracting the Governor.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja via zaymohd@yahoo.com.

By Bilyamin Abdulmumin

When the former president Muhammadu Buhari’s praise singer Dauda Adamu Abdullahi Kahutu (Rarara), held a media conference some time ago, he stirred up the hornet’s nest. A press conference that initially appeared to lament about being sidelined in the current government ‘that they work hard to enthrone’ took an unexpected turn. Rarara would veer off the course to make damning allegations about the administration of his former boss. 

One of these damages, which sent shockwaves in social media, was that President Buhari did not leave the office until he brought every part of the country to a grinding halt, stating, ‘sai da ya yi dama-dama da kasar nan’. A journalist immediately posed the question that many Nigerians would be wondering: You were in the administration for eight years but haven’t raised a finger until now. Why? Rarara’s response was typical; he claimed he had been hopeful that something positive would happen, so he remained aloof during the eight-year tenure. 

However, sceptics, who don’t take things at face value, could argue that the president had an eight-year mandate. Within those years, how long would have been enough time for Rarara to raise the alarm? This was not to mention the apparent romance Rarara had had with the government during those years. This reminds me of one scandal that occurred during the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) government, and upon the pressure from the public, GEJ appeared determined to leave no stone unturned, so he gave two two-week ultimatum to the committee he set up to finish the investigation to bring the culprit to book.

However, to the most awe and shock, the person indicted for corruption would join the then-presidential foreign tour immediately after the order. A typical case of saying something, but body language says another. When considering the complete picture of the scenarios, the questionable timing and an unconvincing response led almost everyone to dismiss Rarara’s claims with a wave of the hand.

Rarara also launched another salvo, asserting that the 100 days of Bola Ahmed Tinubu were better than the entire eight years of Muhammadu Buhari. While the general view is that Buhari didn’t meet the messianic expectations set for him, drawing a parallel between eight years and 100 days for two different governments is like judging a sprinter’s performance in the first few meters of a marathon. For Rarara to make this shallow comparison, he must be among the Nigerians who thought 100 days was enough for the government to make substantial development. Ever since the United States president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, coined “first 100 days”, the gesture kept going wild; Nigerians have since imported and made it a ritual.

Because the mainstream media has amplified it and become embraced by the public, the newly elected Nigerian officials have become desperate to show that they could lift Zuma rock in the first 100 days in office. Assuming the new government has no serious court litigations to contend with, and the previous administration has little influence on their government, when did the busybody officials finish digesting the thousands of pages of the transition document handed over to them to decide on the administration trajectory? It is even the previous government budget that is already running. When they started to make their own, when were the projects conceived and implemented and matured for the public’s admiration? The speed at which a project is untimely executed to impress the public would go down the heel with double the speed.

In another arsenal that Rarara unleashed, he claimed to have contributed more to Buhari’s success than Buhari did himself. Following the historic dethronement of the incumbent in 2015, people pondered on the key figures that played the most significant role in paving the way for this landmark event: Rarara, President Buhari, and the Card Reader. Including Rarara in this list is a testament to his significant contribution to President Buhari’s success. However, that is not the complete story. All successful people have a tale to share; one crucial factor that defines them is consistency. They persistently push forward until circumstances align for success. So, in that moment of triumph, who rightfully claims the bragging rights?

Two theories were put forward to explain Rarara’s controversial media conference. One theory suggested that Rarara was acting based on the consent of the current administration, an indirect way of informing the public about the status quo of the country they inherited. Masses were already a block of ice waiting for an opportunity to rupture, no thanks to the ever-increasing prices of goods and services. This gave the ruling APC a conundrum: Should they give themselves excuses by condemning the previous administrations, or should they avoid self-sabotage and keep quiet? Therefore, Rarara, lacking a political appointment but commanding a Northern audience, became a strategic mouthpiece. This theory is plausible enough because, beyond the surface, the government could employ several manoeuvres to shift the public’s focus during hard times to avoid citizens’ wrath. 

The second theory shared by many, including Prof. Abdallah Uba Adamu, was that Rarara is a typical gold digger; his loyalty is not through thin and thick. He has consistently known to forsake one boss at a time of scarceness and identify with another where the abundance is emerging. From praise songs to invective ones; from Saraki Sai Allah for Shekarau to Malam yayi rawa da alkyabba, from dawa ta bare for Kwankwaso to Tsula tsilla tsilla, from uban Abba for Ganduje to hankaka.  But despite that, the nation was surprised to wake up with Rarara’s latest bombshell.  Because Rarara seems to have gone aboard when it comes to Buhari and his government, he goes all out against the critics of Buhari not only in his songs but also in several interviews he offered. 

As Rarara now courts new relationships with incumbents like Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, Dikko Umar Radda, or Bola Ahmed Tinubu, caution is advised. His track record of shifting loyalty raises questions about the depth of his commitment. These figures and their supporters should be wary of potential shifts and assess the sincerity of the newfound alliances.

Bilyamin Abdulmumin wrote via bilal4riid13@gmail.com.

By Kamal Alkasim

Atiku Abubakar, former vice president and perennial presidential candidate, has long styled himself as the “Unifier” of Nigeria. Yet, recent events raise questions about his ability to live up to this label.

Internal Divisions and G5 Exodus:

Atiku’s party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has been plagued by internal divisions. The G5 group of five aggrieved governors, led by former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, have publicly parted ways with Atiku and the party leadership. This exodus has significantly weakened the PDP’s chances in the 2027 presidential election.

Lost Allies and the Rise of New Political Alliances:

Further complicating the picture, two major figures who ran for president in 2023, Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have left the PDP. These departures have deprived Atiku of potential allies and created a new political landscape with the emergence of a possible merger between the PDP, Labour Party, and New Nigeria People’s Party.

Unifying Action Needed:

While the details of this potential merger remain unclear, it presents a fresh challenge for Atiku. Should the merger materialise, it will demand exceptional unifying skills to navigate the competing ambitions of Obi, Kwankwaso, and other stakeholders within the new entity.

Unification Through Action, Not Words:

The question remains: when will Atiku be a “verified Unifier”? While words are persuasive, concrete action will ultimately determine his ability to bring together disparate political forces and forge a unified front.

Negotiations and the Struggle for Power:

Atiku faces a tough road ahead. He must navigate the complex negotiations with Obi, Kwankwaso, and other influential figures while overcoming internal party divisions. Ultimately, his success in securing the presidential candidacy and uniting the disparate political forces will be the true test of his unifying credentials. 

Kamal Alkasim is a freelance writer. He can be reached via kamalalkasim17@gmail.com.

By Mansur Hassan, PhD

In a shocking turn of events yesterday during a peaceful gathering for Maulud in Kaduna State, Nigeria, the unthinkable unfolded as the Nigerian army allegedly dropped bombs on the assembled crowd, resulting in a devastating loss of innocent lives.

What makes this tragedy even more horrifying is the apparent repetition of the attack, casting serious doubts on the claims of a mere mistake.The sequence of events, where the army reportedly first unleashed destruction and then returned within a short span to inflict more harm, raises profound questions about the true nature of this incident.

Can such a grave error be repeated in the same location, with devastating consequences, all within a span of 30 minutes? The assertion that this was a mistake demands thorough scrutiny and a comprehensive investigation.

It is imperative that the Nigerian government takes swift and decisive action to probe this incident thoroughly. The loss of lives and the trauma inflicted upon those who survived demand justice, accountability, and reassurance for the affected community. The international community should also pay close attention to ensure that the investigation is transparent, impartial, and free from any influence.

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for reforms and increased accountability within the military and security forces. The government must ensure that those responsible for this appalling act, if found guilty, face the full extent of the law. Only through a transparent and unbiased investigation can trust be restored in the institutions meant to safeguard the welfare and security of the people.

In these trying times, our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We stand united in condemning this senseless violence and urge the government to prioritize justice, transparency, and accountability in the pursuit of truth regarding the Kaduna State tragedy.

Dr. Mansur Hassan is a Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano and can be reached via mhassan@yumsuk.edu.ng

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar is reportedly gearing up for the 2027 presidential race while simultaneously working to solidify his influence within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). 

However, internal tensions have surfaced as Atiku and his allies express discomfort with the current acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum. 

Accusations have been raised against Damagum, with Atiku’s faction claiming his allegiance to the G-5 axis of the party, led by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Despite various attempts, including the unsuccessful and forceful return of National Secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu, efforts to remove Damagum have fallen short. 

The crux of the issue lies in Damagum’s perceived support from Wike, the G-5, and key members of the PDP Governors Forum, headed by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who harbours presidential ambitions for 2027.

Atiku and party leaders are rallying behind the suspended National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, advocating for his reinstatement through a legal battle, viewing it as the last resort to rescue the PDP from Wike and the G-5. 

Notably, Dr. Bukola Saraki, a former President of the Senate, has resisted calls to assume the role of the next national chairman.

Sources indicate that Saraki is wary of presiding over a party embroiled in internal strife, opting to observe the unfolding PDP crisis before making any definitive decisions.

The cold war within the party and the ongoing court case involving Ayu have created an atmosphere of uncertainty, influencing Saraki’s reluctance to take on a leadership role at this tumultuous juncture.

Appeal court confirmed the candidate of the opposition party Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, of All Progressive Congress (APC), as the winner of the March 2023 gubernatorial election.

But if we can recall, immediately after the first announcement of the election results in the radio stations and some social media handles, we heard the voice of the opposition candidte,Dr. Nasiru Gawuna saying that he is Muslim and for that; he accepted everything that happened to him with good faith. But later, the leadership of the party coming out with a lot of controversies, rising issues of invalid votes, rigging of election and many other sinister ways of usurping power. Later we heard that the tribunal has deducted 165,663 votes from Engineer Yusuf’s total votes as invalid votes, stating that the affected ballot papers were not stamped or signed and therefore declared invalid.

The verdict comes nearly two months after the Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, on September 20, sacked Yusuf, declaring the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, as the winner of the March 18 election. Abba Yusuf, who contested on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), was declared the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the polls in March, 2023.

But remember what is currently going on in Kano is as a result of a clash or misunderstanding between the Kwankwasiyya and Gandujiyya political movements which started some years back in the year 2016, and these misunderstandings continue until 2019 election when the same issues like this occurred, which led to inconclusive. And from that time to date there is no sign of reconciliation between these two political movements.

The leaders of both movements; Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje are very prominent people in the politics of Kano and even Nigeria as large. Without mentioning these two names, the politics of Kano in this 21st century will not be complete. What I want to say here in essence is that, before this quagmire, Kwankwaso was the boss to Ganduje, who was first governor in this dispensation, while Ganduje was his deputy. And after the tenure of Kwankwaso ended, Ganduje was the successor of Kwankwaso. Therefore, the duo had worked together for long, but selfish interest, envy and the devil crept in between them.

After Abba Kabir Yusuf become the governor of Kano State, he started his tenure by demolishing of what his government described as illegal structures in Kano. This reckless demolishing raised tension and made many people from the opposition to redouble their hatred towards his government. It was also alleged that after the incident, Abba lost some of his fans or supporters but believe me you upon all the demolishing, the majority of Kano people are still with Abba, and this is simply because, most of the demolished properties are genuinely illegal and they were all erected on the public places.

Finally we all know that the Kwankwasiyya movement is with the poor masses. If you can see the last four years of Kwankwaso, one can understand a clear view of what I am saying. There are so many developmental projects, like the issues of empowering youths and women, healthcare, education, scholarship scheme which is unprecedented in nature, among many other goodies to the good people of Kano, which Abba continues from his boss.

Kwankwasiyya or Gandujiyya; I appeal to both parties to leave politics aside in order to rescue Kano and to develop Kano and its environs or else even the existing development will automatically decay. I believe reconciliation will only happen if actually Kano is in their minds, before they allow their dirty politics to take Kano down.

Haladu Muhammad, writes from Maiduguri, Borno State.

By Sani Umar Adamu

It’s said “An injustice to one is an injustice to all”. The cursory in justice would be an insincere simulacrum that spells the rogue society, but only to who knows must say the least. Going by the saying ‘what the heart thinkenth the tongue speaketh’ with all viable indications the awaiting judgement would not serve and do away with stud whom were racing to twist the world known mandatory, just on the floor of pristine judgement which by the way would be the Nigeria’s biggest justice robbery.

Abba was returned elected and officially declared winner by the INEC, the election which was supervised by both the internal and external observers was believed to be freed from any howl, in fact; it was an afflatus to stimulate by other states. Only greedy and depredator would cease the rectitude of the election and thinkenth to reverse the will of millions. We have known that the only substitute to the lies and unfairness is shaping the mendacity to bring in seizing, itch and threatening of the democracy. 

We became tootles in reticent the voices of our concern are in taciturnity where we no longer feel the pain in others; the pain of my neighbor is no longer threatening, as if telling the truth is synonymous to being a workshy. The naked truth has become something invisible – that which can not be seen simply because the ambitions and hopes are tied to president’s apron string. To cleanse the Augean stable – we definitely need to voice up our concern learn from the history of Hercules who was to clean the stables of Augeas King of Elis in which were 3000 oxen and which stables had not been cleaned for thirty years. Hercules performed the task in a single day by leading the rivers Alpheus and Peneus through the farmyard… this is to show how quality of trusting and voicing the concern is. So on no account we should lay out our hands, our voices and our fortitude to this least moiety-imballlance  we have received from the judgement of the Kano state governor. With menacle or co-adjutor, with wantonness or pride we all have to coalesce to break the unspeakable inept trench drawn between justice and injustice. 

To secret or not to do the Injustice is lethal and apparently we shouldn’t live in negation to it’s very existence, the wrath horror would summon the every existence of our survival. And when the fury unleash it wouldn’t spare the opulents or the one in abject poverty we all be the receiving edge and in the midst the pollutants disseminate the unity in our lands and finally mock the affirmation of our peaceful coexistence. 

A close shave to this prospicience is to replete the almost will of justice towards its impartial equilibrium. That’s the Justice must be served in no conjunction or appeliation to party membership, it should be served on the ground of impartiality. The crooked or inanimate cupidity to topple the incumbent and democratically elected Governor will be checked  and stopped on the spot. It’s truly beyond comprehension to figure out why all this hatred in the name of polity? Comparisons are odious, and an empty bag will not stand upright. Decisively this justice miscarriage sensed the intended failure to oust the duly elected Governor. At length the plutocracy is in sight and this will bring the collapse of our youngish democracy and it’s an injure to the prescribed rule of law and when this happens just wait for the time to commiserate the down fall of the entire system at large.

Sani Umar Adamu (Kawun Baba) can be reached via umarhashidu1994@gmail.com.

ReplyForward

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano state has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the decision of the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. 

The tribunal had declared Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the March 18th, 2023 election, deducting over 165,000 votes from Yusuf’s tally due to alleged lack of proper endorsements on the ballot papers. 

In a notice of appeal filed by his lawyer, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Yusuf argues that the tribunal made a significant error in its analysis of the evidence presented by the APC. 

According to the appeal, the analysis conducted by the APC’s own witness only identified 1,886 ballots without proper endorsements, a stark contrast to the 165,616 deducted by the tribunal. 

The appeal argues that the tribunal erroneously deducted over 165,000 votes from Yusuf’s tally due to a misunderstanding of the evidence presented. 

It claims that the analysis conducted by the APC’s witness identified only 1,886 ballots lacking proper endorsements, significantly less than the number deducted. 

The appeal further clarifies that even among the ballots flagged, many had partial endorsements like signatures or stamps, not justifying their complete removal. 

The appeal emphasizes that all the disputed ballots carried official markings like the INEC logo, coat of arms, and serial numbers, confirming their legitimacy. 

Governor Yusuf’s legal team is confident that the Supreme Court will recognize the errors in the tribunal’s decision and restore his rightful victory.

The outcome of this appeal will have significant implications for the political landscape of Kano state and could set a precedent for future election disputes. 

The Supreme Court is yet to schedule a hearing for the appeal.

Both parties will present their arguments to the justices, who will then issue a final ruling on the matter.