Politics

By Abdulgaffar Tukur Kalgo

As an aspiring young politician in Nigeria, there are several key lessons you can learn from Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s exemplary leadership and political career.

As a leader, you most likely admire the political and leadership influence of Kwankwaso. His rise through the ranks of Kano politics demonstrates how one can gain political influence through vision, hard work, and perseverance.

Kwankwaso began his political career with his election as a Nigerian House of Representatives member at just 26 years old. His rise from humble beginnings to governor of Kano State and Nigeria’s presidential candidate is a valuable lesson for young leaders to learn to build a meaningful political career.

Kwankwaso focused on grassroots development and empowering youth and women, which gained him a reputation as someone who could get things done.

Though his presidential bids were unsuccessful, Kwankwaso’s accomplishments showcase how vision, courage, relationships, and mentorship can shape a leader. He illustrated that a leader can emerge from anywhere through hard work and perseverance. For aspiring leaders, Kwankwaso exemplifies the dedication and skills needed to lead in Nigeria’s complex political landscape. By learning from his experiences, young leaders can work to shape a brighter future for their region.

Key Leadership Qualities of Kwankwaso:

You must cultivate certain vital qualities to become an influential leader like Kwankwaso.

Vision and Purpose

Effective leaders have a clear vision and a sense of purpose that motivates and inspires followers. During his governorship, Kwankwaso envisioned a Kano State that invested in education and infrastructure and worked tirelessly to make that vision a reality. Young leaders should develop their vision for positive change and pursue it with passion and perseverance.

Integrity and Ethics

Leaders build trust through integrity, honesty and ethical behaviour. Kwankwaso was praised for his incorruptibility. Aspiring leaders must demonstrate strong moral principles and lead by example.

Confidence and Decisiveness

While seeking input from others, leaders must ultimately be confident and decisive in their judgment. Kwankwaso pursued his agenda boldly and took action when needed based on the information available. Young leaders should trust their abilities while also accepting responsibility for their decisions.

Communication Skills

Effective communication is essential for motivating and guiding followers. Kwankwaso connected with his people and groups through charismatic and persuasive rhetoric.

To build a meaningful career, you must develop a vision for progress, take risks, make alliances, and empower others.

I think that’s Kwankwaso’s Political Philosophy.

Abdulgaffar Tukur Kalgo wrote via abdulgaffarkalgo@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed Uba Sani’s victory as Governor of Kaduna State, dismissing the Peoples Democratic Party’s appeal challenging the March 18 election results.

The court upheld the tribunal’s decision, citing the PDP’s failure to adhere to legal timelines and highlighting irregularities in the evidence presented.

With this ruling, Uba Sani’s position is secure, concluding the post-election legal dispute.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reversed the removal of Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, reinstating him as the duly elected governor following the governorship election on March 18. 

A three-member panel of justices, in a unanimous decision delivered on Thursday, invalidated the Nasarawa State Election Petition Tribunal’s prior ruling.

The tribunal’s decision to oust Governor Sule has been nullified by the appellate court.

By Rabi’u Gama

I almost spent a sleepless night reading the Court of Appeal’s judgement on the Kano State Governorship Election Petition. The 72-page document has raised many questions and generated mixed and confusing reactions among millions of people, particularly in Kano, immediately after its release to the public.

After a calm reading of the judgement, it is evident that there is a significant error in the conclusion of the lead judgement. The conclusion of the lead judgement, which “…resolve all the issues in favour of the Appellant (AKY) against the 1st Respondent” and “…set aside the judgement of the Tribunal” and finally “awarded the sum of one million Naira in favour of the Appellant against the 1st Respondent” is just a mistake; a grave mistake, though, in my opinion, not fatal or unpardonable.

If you read the judgement carefully, you will see that the reasoning of the court on the merit of the case was decisively against the Appellant (AKY) in favor of the 1st Respondent (Gawuna). The only error – a very grievous error – is with regard to the conclusion of the lead judgment. This becomes more obvious when you look at the fact that all the two concurring judgements found the appeal to be “bereft of merit” and also (just like the lead judgement) “…dismissed it and upheld the judgement of the Trial Tribunal”.

From the reasoning of the Court, that conclusion is just what it is: a slip of the pencil or a clerical error – so to speak – which can be, in fact, should be, waived aside with a single nod of the head. That mistake alone cannot reasonably change the preceding reasonings and findings of the court. The error is grave. Or was it a Freudian Slip? By the way, a Freudian Slip is an unintentional mistake that reveals a person’s subconscious thoughts, wishes, or desires.

Therefore, in my humble opinion, AKY lost this appeal. The mistake in the lead judgement’s conclusion (a slip of the pencil) will not change a thing. AKY should head to the Supreme Court, as he has already expressed his intention to do so. A clerical error like this should not deter a further appeal to the Apex Court of the land. Otherwise, there will be stories that will surely break and destroy many hearts.

However, there are many questions: how could such a serious mistake go unnoticed? Didn’t my Lord re-read the judgement after drafting it for grammatical corrections and possible typographical errors? In their concurring judgements, the two other Justices on the panel said: “They have read the lead judgement in draft (as it is customary for fellow judges to do) and adopted all the reasonings and the conclusion therein as theirs?”. Does that mean they, too, did not see that serious mistake while “reading the judgement in [the] draft”? What about the Registrar of the Court? Didn’t he also see the mistake before releasing the Certified Copy of the judgment to the world? So many questions to ask.

Rabiu Gama is a student from the Faculty of Law at Bayero University, Kano. He can be reached via rabiuminuwa327@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Rivers State House of Assembly finds itself mired in an ongoing crisis as law enforcement once again took control of the assembly complex on Tuesday.

Tensions escalated as members aligned with rival factions reportedly conducted separate sessions at different locations. 

A notable security buildup included the presence of four police patrol vans at the assembly’s entrance, coupled with restricted movement along the Moscow Road Axis.

An Armoured Personnel Carrier patrolled the area, accompanied by armed operatives strategically positioned.

The specific reasons prompting this surge in security measures remain undisclosed. 

Reports indicate that on Tuesday, House Speaker Martin Amaewhule led a gathering of 25 lawmakers who deliberated on the suspension of the strike by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria.

Additionally, they called on State Commissioner for Police, Olatunji Disu, to launch an investigation into the recent explosion that ravaged the Assembly, causing significant damage. 

In a parallel development, lawmakers aligned with Speaker Edison Ehie expressed staunch support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara during their session on Tuesday.

A resolution passed during this meeting commended the governor for his developmental initiatives and security measures aimed at preserving peace in the state. 

Speaker Ehie, represented by Legislative Aide Ken Uchendu in an official statement, lauded the governor’s visionary leadership and pledged ongoing support for his consolidation and continuity agenda.

This faction vehemently condemned the recent attack on Ehie’s residence and the arson that engulfed the House of Assembly, urging the governor to expedite rehabilitation efforts. 

Furthermore, lawmakers from this faction urged the Inspector General of Police and other pertinent security agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the attacks, emphasising the importance of swiftly bringing the perpetrators to justice.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Sunday shook the political terrain by nullifying the election of Governor Caleb Muftwang in Plateau State.

The three-member panel delivered a unanimous decision, asserting that Muftwang’s candidacy under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not comply with Section 285(2) of the Nigerian Constitution. 

The court, in favor of Nentawe Goshwe from the All Progressives Congress (APC), deemed the issue of qualification a matter both preceding and succeeding the election, citing Section 177(c) of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999, and Sections 80 and 82 of the Electoral Act, 2022. 

In concurring with the appellant, Goshwe, the panel emphasized the PDP’s failure to adhere to court orders, specifically from the Plateau State High Court and the Court of Appeal. These directives mandated the PDP to conduct valid ward, local government, and state congresses before nominating candidates for elective posts. 

The panel rebuked the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal’s judgment, labeling it “highly inconsistent and a breach of fair hearing” for relying on expunged witness statements to dismiss Goshwe’s appeal

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Following the Court of Appeal upholding the removal of Abba Yusuf as Kano state governor, the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, expressed optimism about the party’s success at the Supreme Court.

Ganduje, applauding the appellate court for delivering justice, confidently stated that the APC is prepared to face the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) again in the apex court. 

Addressing the media in Abuja on Friday, Ganduje acknowledged the democratic right of NNPP to pursue legal avenues, saying, “There is nothing wrong for them to go to the Supreme Court. We too, are ready to meet them in the Supreme Court. And Inshallah, we will win in the Supreme Court as well.”

The APC national chairman also commended the judiciary for its impartiality, praising the victories of the party’s gubernatorial candidates in Kano and Zamfara states.

In a statement, APC’s national publicity secretary, Felix Mokar, underscored the judiciary’s independence, emphasizing its role as the bastion of hope for justice in democracy.

Mokar urged the judiciary to remain resilient against any attempts at blackmail or intimidation by self-serving political interests.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Kano governorship saga continues as Abba takes battle to Supreme Court Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, ousted by the electoral tribunal and subsequently denied reprieve by the Court of Appeal, has pledged to contest the ruling at the Supreme Court.

The appeal court, situated in Abuja, upheld the tribunal’s decision, unseating Yusuf and confirming Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the legitimate winner of the March 18 election. 

Governor Yusuf, undeterred by the setback, conveyed his determination in a televised address on Friday night.

“Our lawyers will challenge the Appeal Court judgment at the Supreme Court. We trust that the Supreme Court will restore the mandate entrusted to us by the people of Kano,” he asserted, urging citizens to remain law-abiding amid the legal wrangling, with security measures in place to ensure public order. 

Conversely, the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, hailed the court’s decision as a triumph for democracy.

Expressing gratitude to the judiciary for maintaining a fair administration of justice, Ganduje acknowledged the challenges faced during the case.

“This victory is for all of us. We know what happened during the election, and by the grace of God, we got a fair judgement in favour of our great party, APC,” he remarked. 

Ganduje, anticipating further legal manoeuvres, remarked, “There is nothing wrong for them to go to the Supreme Court. We too, we are ready to meet them in the Supreme Court. Insha Allah, we will win at the Supreme Court as well.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld the Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal’s decision, declaring Nasiru Gawuna of the APC as the rightful winner.

The appeal by NNPP candidate and current Kano State governor, Abba Yusuf, was dismissed.

The initial tribunal ruling on September 20 ousted Yusuf and declared Gawuna winner.

Despite Yusuf’s appeal through counsel Wole Olanipekun, the Court of Appeal affirmed Gawuna’s victory, concluding the legal battle over the March 18 governorship poll.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Appeal Court in Abuja has confirmed Governor Bala Mohammed’s win in the March 18 Bauchi State governorship election.

The unanimous decision dismissed the appeal filed by APC candidate Sadique Abubakar, who failed to provide substantial evidence to nullify the election. 

The appellant’s claim of improperly filled forms and booklets lacked specificity on polling units and failed to demonstrate the impact on election results. 

The court questioned the credibility of witnesses, emphasizing their inability to establish a clear understanding of the contested forms.