Politics

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Nigerian Senate has turned down the request of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu, to send Nigerian troops to Niger Republic.

President Tinubu, who also doubled as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS), had sought the approval of the Nigerian Senate for military intervention in Niger Republic.

The Senate condemned the coup d’etat in Niger, but advised the President and ECOWAS to explore other options in bringing peace to the country.

The Senate while condemning the Niger coup in totality, commended President Bola Tinubu and other Heads of State of the other States of ECOWAS for their prompt response and the positions taken on the unfortunate development in Niger Republic.

While turning down the request of the president after the meeting, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said that.

“The Senate recognises that President Tinubu via his correspondence has not asked for the approval of the parliament of this Senate to go to war as erroneously suggested in some quarters.

“Rather Mr President has expressed a wish to respectfully solicit the support of the National Assembly in the successful implementation of the resolutions of the ECOWAS as outlined in the said communication.

The Senate calls on the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the chairman of ECOWAS to further encourage other leaders of ECOWAS to strengthen political and diplomatic options and other means intending to resolve the political compass in Niger Republic.”

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

President Bola Ahmad Tinubu has reportedly withdrawn the nomination of Maryam Ibrahim Shettima as a minister in his government. 

According to reports, the 44 -year-old Kano lady, popularly known as Maryam Shetty, has been yanked off the lists of ministerial nominees. 

Maryam Shetty, a famous political and social activist and social media personality, was nominated the President Tinubu on Wednesday.

Sources confirmed that she was told her name was removed from the list upon her arrival for screening in the Senate. 

The reasons for withdrawing Maryam Shetty’s nomination have not been made public. However, former Nigerian Minister of Labour, Festus Keyamo, was added to the new list sent to the red chamber.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A Kwankwasiyya movement, Kwankwasiyya Alheri, has called on the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to relieve all heads of tertiary institutions in the state for dancing to the political tunes of the previous administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The group alleged that some of these tertiary institution heads became the campaign agents of APC during the 2023 general elections and turned the premises of their institutions into APC campaign centres where different political gatherings were held.

This call was made on Wednesday in a statement signed by the Kwankwasiyya Alheri Spokesperson, Isma’il Usman Dan Iya, on behalf of the Chairman, Comrade Abubakar Danladi.

Dan Iya added that there were allegations that some heads of these tertiary institutions compiled names of Kwansiyya staff working in various institutions, willing to sack them if APC won the Kano state gubernatorial election.

The statement reads in part, “Meanwhile, the leadership of this association is passionately calling on His Excellency to relieve all these appointees as they are growing muscles to fight him again in the 2027 General Elections as they did in the previous elections.

“We are reminding His Excellency that some of these appointees still holding various positions laughed at and intimidated those that sacrificed their job and fought for your success.

“Additionally, the sacrifices of these people that support you should not be in vain, while carrying alone your enemies, who leak government confidential information, in your administration.

“Some of these offices include; Head of Service of the State, Head of all Tertiary Institutions, Appointed Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Chairmen, Supervisory Councillors, Education Secretaries, to mention but a few.

“His Excellency should be reminded that Dr Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, the godfather of the Kwankwasiyya movement, will never be happy with the delay in relieving these people [who worked against your victory], let alone his ardent supporters,” the statement reads.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Immediate past national President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, has confirmed joining the Labour Party. 

Akpata on Monday disclosed that he has been a member of the Labour Party since March 2023.

According to Mr Akpata, he deemed it necessary to put the speculations that he has joined partisan politics to rest and hence the announcement. 

“Quite a number of people have called/messaged me to confirm the news, currently making the rounds, that I have joined a political party. Yes…I joined the @labourparty_ng in March this year, and on Sunday, I attended my first Ward Meeting at Oredo Ward 6, in Benin-City, where I was formally introduced to members of the Ward and presented with my Party membership card. This was a major step for me and not one that I took lightly…but I simply got tired of complaining about Nigeria every day and bemoaning her fate, and I decided to take the plunge and to try to be part of the solution rather than agonising continually over the problem. This, for me, is the start of a very important journey, and it is my prayer that I arrive safely at my destination.” He posted on Facebook.

By Ghali Tade

The Former Governor of Jigawa state, Mallam Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, is a distinguished politician in Nigeria’s political space. He is an accountant who applies the knowledge and training of his field of study to politics, which earned him respect that could not be bought. Mallam Badaru, Mai Nasara, as he was addressed by our fathers or Baba Mai Calculator as he is called in Jigawa state, is a personality who understands the need to be God-fearing, honest, transparent, accountable, focused, determined, dedicated, and committed.

How he managed to be what he is today may be surprising to those who do not know him, but we see it as a reflection of the Hausa sayings, “Kyan ɗa ya gaji mahaifinsa & barewa ba ta gudu ɗanta ya yi rarrafe“. I loosely mean he inherited most if not all of his qualities from his parent, a renowned Islamic scholar in his time. These backgrounds have made him see himself as a public servant, not a ruler. A governor who led Jigawa state to a new world with a heart full of passion, compassion, and patriotism.

When I learned that Mai Calculator was leaving office as our governor this year, I worried about who would be like or better than him. Luckily enough, Baba Badaru has handed over power to another copy of Badaru with a workaholic Deputy Governor, Engineer Aminu Usman Gumel.

The present governor of Jigawa state, Mallam Umar Namadi, who served as finance commissioner and deputy governor to Baba Badaru’s administration, is an engine that played a vital role in ensuring that their campaign promises were fulfilled and Badaru succeeded in all sectors. Both Mallam Badaru and Mallam Namadi shared certain things in common. Apart from being the sons of renowned Islamic scholars in the state, they are chartered accountants who performed excellently. They are problem solvers and people concerned about the populace and the best way to sustain the reputation of their families.

Mallam Namadi’s loyalty and zeal to stand firm on justice, fairness, and truthfulness earned him respect and made him the choice of Mallam Badaru and the good people of Jigawa state. The bond between the two state leaders is unbreakable, considering the cement of truth used in building it. I think this is why Mai Calculator’s men are in the new administration serving as commissioners and other roles.

The political twin brothers achieved more than expected of them when they were governor and deputy of Jigawa state. I could vividly recall that in the speech he delivered at a farewell reception in his honour held at Banquet Hall Government House Dutse on Sunday, the 28 May 2023, His Excellency, the Former Governor, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar listed numerous achievements of theirs in different sectors.

Despite inheriting Jigawa State with contractual liabilities of 114 billion naira and all the economic hardships while in power, Mai Calculator left the state with only 711 million naira in debt to pay. Unlike other governors who abandoned the projects of their predecessors, Baba Badaru distinguished himself by completing all inherited projects and focusing on transparency and accountability programmes to ensure the safety of investments.

Recall that ICAN had awarded Jigawa State as the best in Nigeria in Public resources accountability in 2021 and 2022 and the same in Budget transparency. In health, 18 more general hospitals were built to address the needs of the citizens in healthcare services. When he came on board, there were only 12, but he amplified them to 30. Also, three specialist hospitals and one orthopaedic hospital were established. Still on health, the people’s governor provided one comprehensive Health centre in every electoral ward of the state.

The number of hospitals on 24 hrs services increased, addressing the infant mortality rate.

In infrastructure, all the ongoing 700 kilometres of rural roads inherited were completed. Five thousand two hundred seventy-eight hand pumps have been repaired in water resources, 7792 solar water schemes were constructed, and 3500 PHC latrines were built, making Jigawa  State open defecation free. These efforts earned Jigawa number four in safe drinking water in Nigeria and number one in the entire Northern region.

On the other hand, Baba Mai Calculator’s administration witnessed massive federal government projects in the state. Beginning with the power sector, first time in 20 years, the Gagarawa power station project was completed and commissioned under the administration of Former President Muhammadu Buhari. Buhari also awarded four substations in Gwaram, Kazaure, Babura, and Birnin Kudu.

It could be recalled that 164,000 families enjoyed #5,000 monthly stipends from the federal government. This is in addition to feeding a million pupils, which created jobs for 9,200 vendors. My state benefited from Trader Monie, GEEP, Npower, Anchor Borrowers, and other human capital development projects.

On FG’s road projects, the Dutse to Kano, Kano – Danbatta – Kazaure – Gwiwa – Daura – Katsina to Niger Republic roads are practical and visible development. Another road that I will never forget is Kwanar Dimawa- Kanya Babba- Ɓaɓura-Baban mutum road.

I vividly remember Former President Muhammadu Buhari was in Jigawa in 2018 to flag off Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme. Joyfully, he returned to the state to commission the same project after completing its rehabilitation and expansion. The project, an irrigational land of 5,700 hectares, currently provides jobs, food, and economic diversification.

Let me openly state that these are just a few blessings Jigawa state got from Baba Mai Calculator and Baba Buhari’s administrations.

What are Badaru’s contributions to APC and the emergence of President Tinubu?

Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar was the first governor to win from an opposition despite the PDP having control of Jigawa and Nigeria in 2015. His emergence as Jigawa’s governor laid a solid foundation for APC, attracting thousands of loyalists of other parties to APC.

As an APC Leader in governors’ primaries and general elections in some states like  Ondo, Ekiti, Imo, and Bayelsa, Baba Badaru performed wonderfully well. This has made APC stronger in these states; many votes were pulled from them in the last three elections.

Under his watch as Northern Nigeria’s coordinator for Tinubu’s campaign organisation, higher votes were got from his zone -North West with over two million and six hundred thousand in presidential elections. The dedication and determination of Mai Calculator and other APC stalwarts gave President Tinubu more votes from the north-west than the south-west.

Baba Badaru has dedicated his time, energy, and resources to fighting all the propaganda by negative minds on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As someone who comes from the same discipline as the President, Badaru is well-informed about the leadership qualities of Jagaban. These qualities were unknown by some people in the North. Hence enemies tried to paint him black but to no avail.

There was a time when the Former Jigawa State Governor, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, refuted insinuations that the APC Presidential candidate, Ahmad Bola Tinubu, would be a Southern President if he won the election. He assured the presidential candidate’s antecedents indicate he is not a betrayer.

Abubakar, who spoke in Kano during an APC Presidential Candidate meeting with the Muslim Ullamas from Northwestern Nigeria, said all Bola antecedents vindicate him as a non-ethnic and religious bigot”. He even added that everything Bola Tinubu has done in his presidential aspiration, he has done it with the full participation of Badaru, Ganduje, and Nuhu Ribadu, people who are known for their nationalistic outlook.

He stressed that every stakeholder in the Nigerian project chose Bola Tinubu. Talking about his mental health and his fitness, our recent visits to Mecca on Ummara, where Tinubu walked miles without joining a car and his performance of Rituals of Tawaf and Saai shows that he is not only healthy but mentally alert on issues”, Mai Calculator explained.

In summary, Mallam Muhammad Badaru Abubakar is a blessing to Jigawa state, APC, and Nigeria at large. Jigawa is lucky to have an accountant as a President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an accountant as a Governor, and an accountant hoping to be a minister representing the state at the Federal Executive Council. 

Badaru is indeed an APC’s Silent Achiever!

Ghali Tade writes from Ɓaɓura, Jigawa state. He can be reached via tadebusinessr@gmail.com.

By Ukasha Rabiu Magama

To ensure inclusive administration, the member representing the Toro federal constituency of Bauchi State, Hon. Ismail Haruna Dabo, has sworn in 76 aides across the 17 local government wards.

Delivering their oath at the Musa Salma Event Centre Magama, the lawmaker tasked the appointees to work harmoniously with him to move Toro to a greater height.

Admonishing the appointees, Hon. Dabo challenges them to take their duty with a sense of seriousness, adding that they shouldn’t hesitate to inform the problem facing the grassroots populace as his door will always be open for that. He further stated that his core agenda is to transform the lives of Toro citizens. 

“In line with my core agenda of transforming Toro, I want all of us to work harmoniously and closely with one another without hesitation to move Toro to greater heights by feeding me with the necessary information that can add value to the grassroots populace”, said Hon. Ismail Haruna Dabo.

Out of the 76 aides sworn in by the lawmaker, who are mainly youths, include nine legislative aids, six Personal Assistants, 25 Project Monitoring Assistants, ten media aids and 25 Special Assistants. 

Similarly, the event marks the closing ceremony of the first phase of the Haske Care Fertiliser, which was distributed to over 3000 farmers across the local government. The gesture was done to cushion the hardship experienced by the farmers amidst the fuel subsidy and the soaring cost of living.

In their separate remarks, the new appointees promise to work tirelessly and to the best of their ability by positively contributing to formulating policies that would improve the quality of life and standard of living of Toro citizens and Nigeria.

By Abdurrahman Muhammad

President Tinubu has submitted a list of 28 individuals to the Senate for screening and confirmation as ministerial nominees. These are:

ABUBAKAR MOMOH

YUSUF MAITAMA

Umar Dangiwa

Hannatu MUSAWA

UCHE NNAJI

BETA EDU

DORIS ANIETE UZOAKA

DAVID UMAHI

EZENWO WIKE

MOHAMMED BADARU ABUBAKAR

NASIL EL RUFAI

EKPERIKPE EKPO

NKIRU ONYEJEOCHA

OLUBUNMI TUNJI OJO

STELLA OKOTETE UJU

KENNEDY OHANEYE

BELLO MOHAMMED GORONYO

DELE ALAKE

LATEEF FAGBEMI

MOHAMMED IDRIS

OLAWALE EDUN

WAHEED ADEBAYO ADELABU

IMAAN SULEIMAN IBRAHIM

PROF ALI PATE

JOSEPH OTSEN

SEN. ABUBAKAR KYARI

SEN JOHN ENO

SEN SANI ABUBAKAR

The list was submitted Thursday afternoon by Femi GBajabiamila, the Chief of Staff, to President Bola Tinubu.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Nigerian President, Bola Ahmad Tinubu, has reportedly disclosed the names of nominees for the Federal Executive Council, FEC.

In a report credited to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, the list of Tinubu’s ministers would be ready by Thursday, and it includes notable former governors and other distinguished Nigerians.

According to the report, immediate-past governors of Rivers, Kaduna, Osun, and Cross River States have been shortlisted as ministerial nominees. The nominees include Nyesom Wike, Nasir El-Rufai, Gboyega Oyetola, Ben Ayade, and Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso from Kano, who is also the NNPP national leader.

Also in addition to the list of nominees to be presented on the floor of the Senate this Thursday morning are prominent individuals such as President Tinubu’s top aide, Dele Alake; Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; APC national woman leader, Dr Betty Edu; former Lagos State Commissioner for Budget Planning, Wale Edun; ex-Minister of State for Health, Prof. Ali Pate, and former Deputy Governor of CBN, Adebayo Adelabu from Oyo State.

By Uzair Adam Imam

There is growing tension in Niger Republic as soldiers reportedly detain the Nigerien President, Mohamed Bazoum, and deny access to his palace on Wednesday.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Chairman, warned the soldiers that ECOWAS would not tolerate a coup.

Tinubu disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying that ECOWAS would not tolerate actions that incapacitate democratically-elected government in the sub-region.

The statement read: “I wish to say that we are closely monitoring the situation and developments in Niger and we will do everything within our powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well rooted and thrives in our region.

“I am in close consultation with other leaders in our region, and we shall protect our hard-earned democracy in line with the universally acceptable principle of constitutionalism.

“As the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, I state without equivocation that Nigeria stands firmly with the elected government in Niger and equally conveys the absolute resolve of leaders in our sub-region that we shall not waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

Saudi Arabia, often described as the Middle East powerhouse, and Iran have summoned Swedish diplomats to denounce the Stockholm’s permission for protests that meant to desecrate Qur’an, the Muslims holy book, on free speech grounds.

The calls by the two majority-Muslim countries, which came separately, were in statements made available late Thursday.

This is coming amid heightened tensions between Sweden and Iraq over a Sweden-based Iraqi refugee, who last month burnt pages of Qur’an outside Stockholm’s main mosque.

The Daily Reality learned that, in the latest such incident on Thursday, the refugee, Salwan Momika, stepped on the Qur’an but did not burn it.

Monika’s action was considered to be the reason that triggered the renewed condemnations and calls for protest across the Muslim world.

According to a foreign ministry statement, Saudi Arabia, it would hand the Swedish charge d’affaires “a protest note that includes the kingdom’s request to the Swedish authorities to take all immediate and necessary measures to stop these disgraceful acts”

Nasser Kanani, the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, said Sweden’s ambassador to Tehran had been called in to censure the permit granted to Momika’s protest and to warn Stockholm of the consequences of such actions.

“We strongly condemn the repeated desecration of the holy Koran and Islamic sanctities in Sweden and hold the Swedish government fully responsible for the consequences of inciting the feelings of Muslims around the world,” Kanani said.