Politics 24

The judgement delivered by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman of the Federal High Court on the Emirship Tussle in Kano, on Thursday, 20th June 2024, has raised more questions than provided a final solution to the issues in contention between the two ‘deposed’ Emirs: Aminu Ado Bayero and Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. However, my aim here is to highlight some apparent missing gaps in most of the commentaries so far made on the ongoing debate, in search of a legitimate Emir for Kano.  Certainly, some of the commentators based their opinions on their understanding of the facts or pieces of evidence as presented in the public domain, largely through Court pronouncements or on social media platforms. As professionals, in historical or legal studies, their commentries attracted considerable public attention on what should be anticipated as fair judgement in resolving the impasse.  As a public relations and communications practitioner, I may not be in a position to successfully contest the grou...

  By Aliyu Dalhatu Adamu Department of Sociology, Federal University of Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State. The construction of 85km rural roads was flagged-off by the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Monday 17th June 2024 at Madobi Local Government. The occasion afforded Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections, an opportunity to ventilate his feelings on the forces in political contest in Kano State.  Many people believe that Kano is suffering great abuse in the tight grief of Kwankwaso as an alternate, if not the real, governor in his illegal Third Term. In his emotional outburst, the former Presidential candidate alluded to a number of issues, which many see as pointers to the inner workings of his mind, suggesting his political fortunes in the State are nose-diving or in the least taking a big hit. For instance, from the vituperations of Kwankwaso, one can easily understand that, the NNPP, as...

The Arewa Youths Merger Group has called for the immediate arrest of Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, the National Leader and 2023 Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). This follows his recent statement accusing the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led Federal Government of fostering a new generation of Boko Haram terrorists and insurgents in Northern Nigeria. Kwankwaso's allegations have sparked significant controversy, prompting a strong reaction from the Arewa Youths Merger Group. In a statement issued in Abuja, the association's leader, Musa Mujahid  Zaitawa, condemned Kwankwaso's remarks as inflammatory and detrimental to national security. Zaitawa asserted that such statements could exacerbate tensions and potentially incite violence in the region. "Kwankwaso's unfounded accusations against the federal government are not only reckless but also dangerous. They undermine efforts to combat terrorism and promote peace in Northern Niger...

By Sule Sani Sule   I would like to commend the government of Kano State, under the leadership of Abba Kabir Yusuf, for their neutrality in the upcoming National Association of Kano State Students (NAKSS) National Body election.  It is a refreshing change from the usual practice of state governments hijacking and exploiting students for personal gain, as seen in the previous administration of Ganduje.  As advocates of peace and harmony, we applaud this government's commitment to allowing the students to exercise their rights without interference or coercion. I was impressed by the government's clean record in this regard, and we wish them all the best in their endeavors.  We hope that this attitude of ethics and morality will continue to prevail, allowing the system to function without undue influence.

By Sule Sani Sule I was appalled by a recent news headline: "Reps seek constitutional amendments, want six-year single term for Presidents and Governors." This proposal is nothing but a farce, a desperate attempt to maintain the status quo of political elitism in Nigeria. The bill will never see the light of day because it threatens the interests of the political elite. In Nigeria, democracy is merely a theoretical concept, not a practical reality for the masses. The country is, in fact, an oligarchy, where a select few make decisions for the populace without their input or consent. The government is more concerned with serving its own interests than addressing the pressing issues affecting the masses, such as electricity tariff hikes, fuel subsidy removal, inflation, under payment of civil servant salaries, insecurity, banditry, and inflation. This bill is a perfect example of the political elite's disregard for the people's needs. It is a futile attempt to consolida...

The Arewa Youths Assembly has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the appointment of DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd) as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC). Abdul Danbature, leader of the association, stated in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.  According to him "this appointment is a well-deserved recognition of DIG Argungu's dedication and service to the nation.  He added that the new PSC chairman has a wealth of experience and expertise in the field of law enforcement, and that will undoubtedly enhance the performance of the Police Service Commission. The Arewa Youths Assembly is confident that DIG Argungu's leadership will bring about positive reforms in the Nigeria Police Force and improve the overall security of the country. The association commends President Tinubu for making this appointment and urges DIG Argungu to use his position to promote the welfare and professionalism of police officers, as well as to ensure the safety and security...

By Sule Sani Sule   As I watch the Nigerian governors remain silent in the face of suffering, I am appalled by their self-centeredness and hypocrisy. They reap financial benefits from the removal of fuel subsidies, yet turn a blind eye to the hardship it inflicts on the people.  The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocated a staggering N1,867.808 billion to them in March 2024, but their states remain devoid of meaningful development. Instead, they misappropriate funds or squander them on vanity projects. Their priorities are grossly misplaced. What's more, they put aside their religious and ethnic differences to unite in sharing federal funds, but exploit these differences to divide the masses during presidential elections.  It's staggering that they spent a whopping N968.64 billion on refreshments while claiming they cannot afford to pay workers a meager N60,000 minimum wage. Their actions reek of hypocrisy and neglect. When will they prioritize the peopl...

  By Sule Sani Sule  President Tinubu's leadership poses a significant threat to Nigeria's security and unity, driven by his long-standing animosity towards the North and Northerners. His past actions as Lagos Governor and recent decisions as President raise concerns about his true intentions. Rumors of plans to relocate the Federal Capital Territory to Lagos have been circulating, with some initial actions taken before public pressure forced a reversal. More recently, he shockingly reinstated the old national anthem designed by colonial masters, abandoning our indigenous anthem during a time of widespread poverty, economic crisis, inflation, and insecurity. The proposed bill for regional government restructuring raises further alarm, suggesting a covert attempt to reshape Nigeria's structure without clarity or transparency. We urge President Tinubu to exercise caution, as his actions will have severe consequences. Sule Sani Sule

The Arewa Youths Assembly has lauded labor unions for their unwavering commitment to upholding standards during the recent strike action.  In a statement issued by the association's leader, Amb. Abdul Danbature, the youths expressed appreciation for the unions' commendable efforts in negotiating and reaching an agreement with relevant authorities. However, the Arewa Youths Assembly also issued a stern warning to state governors who have failed to pay the minimum wage.  Governor Dauda Lawan of Zamfara State came under particular scrutiny, as the assembly highlighted that his administration continues to pay a mere 8,000 Naira as the minimum wage—an amount deemed unacceptable by the youths. "We give Governor Dauda one month to rectify this situation," stated Abdul Danbature.  "If he fails to comply, we are prepared to take serious action, including shutting down the state." The Arewa Youths Assembly's stance underscores the importance of fair wages and acco...