Gov Abba Yusuf: Kano People say, “We’re yet to feel your Joseph”
All politics is local and the impact on the economy affects individuals personally. So, like the rest of Nigeria, the people of Kano say they are hurting. The catchphrase on the streets of kano now is, “Governor Yusuf Abba, we are yet to feel your Joseph” Nigeria’s democracy is unravelling very fast. Unfortunately, this is happening at the market square in a global village where citizen journalism has left no stone unturned. The royal rumble in Kano and the river of trouble, red with human blood, flowing freely on the streets of Port Harcourt are two poster images that tell all onlookers that all may not be well with the largest democracy in Africa. While the madness in Rivers State may be a needless fight that has been nurtured to become a monstrous brawl may be, because someone in the corridor of power has a vested interest, the same cannot be said about the festering inferno in the ancestral home of Malam Ibrahim Dabo which must be put out fast before it engulfs the entire metropolis. As it is common knowledge today, Muhammadu Sanusi II dan Chiroman Kano Aminu dan Muhammadu Sanusi I dan Abdullahi Bayero (2014-2020) and Aminu dan Ado dan Abdullahi Bayero (2020–2024), both protagonists in the current tussle for the emirship of Kano, are all grandchildren of Abdulahi Bayero, the eighth Emir of Kano (1926-1953) and a grandchild of Ibrahim Dabo, the first Emir and founder of the Dabo Dynasty. The reign of Fulani rulers of Kano has enjoyed relative peace and growth over the years. This continued until the late 1970s and early 80s when the late Governor of Kano state, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi attempted to balkanize the Emirate Council into five, namely; Gaya, Karaye, Bichi, Rano and Kano. Of course, he paid dearly for it as it caused him his re-election. Being not one known to be restrained by the huge moral demands of his office, former Governor Abdulahi Ganduje embarked on a repeat of this controversial exercise when he split the Council into five same Emirates and went a step further to depose the fourteenth emir of kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II in 2019. Governor Abba Yusuf, like his predecessor Sabo Bakin Zuwo in 1983, has also gone ahead to reverse all that Governor Ganduje did by reverting to the single emirate structure, deposing Alhaji Aminu Bayero and re-instating Muhammadu Sanusi II. Now the dye is caste and there is bedlam in Kano. The clan of Abdulahi Bayero, the Kano populace, the State Government and institutions of the Federal Government have locked horns in an Olympian duel with potentials for massive upset of the peace. Unfortunately, the prospect of an early resolution of the conflict is now being progressively encumbered by the same judiciary that should lead that charge, as courts at various levels give orders and counter orders and judgements without adequate recourse to established cases. Every politics is local and the impact on the economy affects individuals personally. So, like the rest of Nigeria, the people of Kano say they are hurting. The catchphrase on the streets of Kano now is, “Governor Yusuf Abba, we are yet to see your Joseph.” This is an apparent reference to both the Quranic and Biblical reference to the suffering of Prophet Joseph (Annabi Yusuf) before ascending to the position of leadership over his people and the redeemer of Egypt and the surrounding nations from the seven-year famine. Located at the North Western part of Nigeria, Kano, with a GDP of $13.6billion, is the commercial capital of northern Nigeria and the country’s second largest economy after Lagos with a GDP of USD 29 billion as of 2020. Kano, unlike most states in Nigeria is essentially a one city state with Kano city contributing most of the attributes that define the state. Growing at 3.06%, the population of Kano metropolis is estimated at 4.35million as of 2023, while the state population is put at 16.25m. With 415,598 Kano State had the highest Registered Live Births in the country in 2019. The huge population size, coupled with a GDP that is almost the size of the population makes Kano to rank as the 35th state in terms of GDP per capita. Kano also ranks poorly at the 12th position in terms of business environment, being able to list only 1,829,843 enterprises, compared with 3,345,948 in Lagos and 2,133,096 in Rivers states. About 72 per cent of the population of Kano state or 7.1 million people are actively engaged in economic activities and generating $978 GDP per capita. As it is the case with most states in northern Nigeria, most indices of underdevelopment are still looking up. For instance, it is painfully a valid assertion that poverty in Nigeria is essentially a northern phenomenon. As of 2019, 55.1 percent of Kano live below the poverty line. Whereas only 4.5 per cent of the population of Lagos state fall within this bracket. Indeed, apart from Kaduna state with 43.5 per cent more than half of the population of all the states in north western and north eastern Nigeria live below poverty line with Sokoto leading the pack at 87.73 per cent. These figures worsened due to the abysmal economic record during eight years of the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency. Take out of school population as an example, with a national estimate of about 20 million, accounts for 989,234 children out of school. Added to this is the current cost of living crisis precipitated by wrong policy choices, timing and implementation by the Tinubu Presidency. In an effort to spur investment and raise output, Tinubu has enacted measures since entering office in May of last year, including cutting back on gasoline and energy subsidies and twice depreciating the naira. Which, according to him, are measures required to set Nigeria up for sustained growth. However, President Tinubu’s goal of six percent annual economic growth is far too ambitious compared with the economy’s current growth rate, and the changes have increased inflation to a
Rivers Govt Reacts To APC’s Call For Emergency Rule
The Rivers State Government has firmly dismissed recent calls by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state, Tony Okocha, for the implementation of emergency rule in the state. The state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, characterized Okocha’s demands as “Bobo juice,” implying that they were frivolous and unworthy of serious consideration. During a press briefing, Commissioner Johnson expressed that Tony Okocha’s statements were merely “ranting” and did not merit a response. He accused Okocha of being notorious for spreading misinformation and engaging in scaremongering tactics that lack credibility. “Nobody would take such a character serious in the state,” Johnson added, reflecting the government’s dismissal of Okocha’s influence and assertions. The commissioner also referenced a past incident where Okocha had caused a public stir by claiming an outbreak of cholera in the state. Following these claims, a team of medical experts was dispatched to investigate, only to find that the allegations were false. He said: “On Tony Okocha, I don’t think that what Okocha said is worth giving any attention. We should not break our heads over what Tony Okocha said. “The other time, he said there was a cholera outbreak when the medical personnel visited the place they said there was nothing like that. “Another day he (Okocha) said he was welcoming members of the House of Assembly who defected to the APC. What is the position today? “He also said that he was going to ask the members of the House of Assembly to commence impeachment of the governor. What is the position today? “All these talks are what we call Bobo juice, He is talking to himself. He is not talking to anybody, and he is not talking to Rivers people.”
Governor Fubara Orders Audit Of Local Government Accounts
As the political crisis in Rivers State is yet to resolve, the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has called for the audit of local government accounts in the state. He gave the order after he swore in new caretaker chairmen for the 23 local government areas of the state. The swearing-in ceremony was currently ongoing at the Government House in Port Harcourt, amid tight security. The swearing comes a day after the governor forwarded the list to the state House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Victor Jumbo. Earlier, the Rivers Assembly passed the Local Government Amendment bill into law but Fubara failed to assent to the bill. While the governor did not sign the bill, the lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule vetoed him. The amended bill which the governor failed to assent, empowered the Rivers State Assembly to extend the tenure of council chairpersons, their vice, and councillors where it is deemed impossible to hold elections before the end of their three-year tenure. However, the court nullified the amended law, prompting an appeal. The appeal court is set to deliver a ruling on the matter on June 20, 2024.
Gov Fubara swears in Rivers state caretaker committee chairmen
Rivers governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has sworn in new caretaker chairmen for the 23 local government areas of the state. The swearing-in was done on Wednesday at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital. The ceremony comes a day after the governor forwarded the list to the state House of Assembly led by factional Speaker, Victor Jumbo. See the names of the caretaker chairmen nominated by Fubara below: 1. Abua/Odua LGA – Madigai Dickson 2. Ahoada East LGA – Hon. Happy Benneth 3. Ahoada West LGA – Mr. Daddy John Green 4. Akuku Toru LGA – Otonye Briggs 5. Andoni LGA – Reginald Ekaan 6. Asari Toru LGA – Orolosoma Amachree 7. Bonny LGA – Alabota Anengi Barasua 8. Degema LGA – Anthony Soberekon 9. Eleme LGA – Brain Gokpa 10. Emouha LGA – David Omereji 11. Etche LGA – John Otamiri 12. Gokana LGA – Kenneth Kpeden 13. Ikwerre LGA – Darlington Orji 14. Khana LGA – Marvin Yobana 15. Obia/Akpor LGA – Chijioke Ihunwo 16. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA – Princewill Ejekwe 17. Ogu/Bolo LGA – Evans Bipi 18. Okrika LGA – Princess Ogan 19. Omuma LGA – Promise Reginald 20. Opobo/Nkoro LGA – Enyiada Cookey-Gam 21. Oyigbo LGA – – Gogo Philip 22. Port Harcourt LGA – Ichemati Ezebunwo 23. Tai LGA – Hon Matthew Dike
Wike loyalists storm council secretariat, vow to resist Fubara’s caretaker team
There is ongoing tension in Port Harcourt City Local Government Council (PHALGA) in Rivers State as youths, loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, gathered around the council premises amidst a crisis over local government administration. Police presence was heightened around PHALGA and other local council areas across the state to maintain order following reports of unrest. Speaking to Channels Television, Maxwell Enwukwe, a former Council Executive and current coordinator of grassroots development initiatives in PHALGA, emphasized their commitment to ensuring peace and order. “These are youths from Port Harcourt Local Government Council. We have come to ensure peace and order in our local government council because yesterday, we received information that some individuals gathered hoodlums to besiege the council even during a public holiday,” Enwukwe stated. He further explained, “Today, we have come to see why that happened, but fortunately, the police have taken over the local government council premises, and everyone is here peacefully. These are supporters of grassroots development initiatives loyal to the Minister of FCT.” Despite the police presence, the crowd remained stationed at the PHALGA environment, which is near the Rivers State Government House, indicating heightened tensions over the leadership dispute. The crisis was triggered by the expiration of the tenure of local government chairmen in Rivers State on Tuesday, with conflicting claims over tenure extension by the State House of Assembly. Governor Siminalayi Fubara has, however, maintained that there was no official extension of tenure and has proceeded to nominate caretaker committees for the 23 local government councils in the state.
Rivers LGA crisis: No tenure extension for chairmen, Fubara declares
Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has held a crucial meeting with heads of security agencies in the State amidst the ongoing local government succession crisis. Rising from the state council security meeting in Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the Governor warned against what he described as a grand plot to arrest his supporters. He said his administration would no longer allow arresting his supporters on trump-up charges, saying security agents must pass through him before undertaking such action. The Governor assured that he would fearlessly lead the way to ensure peace in the state and also protect all patriotic supporters for their stand on the path of truth. Fubara said no extension of tenure of elected local government chairmen, explaining that the law was unambiguous on it adding that the court also affirmed the position of the law. The Governor said: “Let me also say this. I’m also aware that there is a grand plan to come and arrest some of our supporters. This time around, you have to pass through me to arrest them because I don’t think there is anything that any of those people following us has done. Rather, thy are standing on the side of truth. “If it will cost us our lives to stand on the part of truth, we will do that. And I will be the one that will lead the course”. Governor Fubara further said: “Let me assure everyone, more especially, the great and peace- loving people of Rivers State: the law is the law. The law has said that there is no extension of tenure. “The court said so, and whoever that is assuring anybody anywhere of whatever, I advise them to desist from it because peace is what we need in this State. “I assure everyone of you that whatever it takes to make sure that we maintain peace and order, we are not going back on that”. Fubara explained that the Security Council Meeting was called because of the recent threat to the peace of the state by the outgone chairmen of the local government councils. He said: “You are all aware that the tenure of the council chairmen ended yesterday, 17th June, 2024, and today, we have ordered the Heads of Local Government Administration to be in charge while they await further directives. “It’s really unfortunate that we started hearing some disturbing news from some LGAs of invasion of council secretariats, and it is really unfortunate. So, we have called the Security Council Meeting so that the needful will be done. “We are also aware that our enemy is also planning a lot of things. But we will not fall into that plot. We will not also allow him or them to destroy the peace that we are enjoying in the State,” he added. He thanked the media and the peace-loving people of the state for their support, and urged everyone to continue to remain law-abiding for the unity and progress of the state.
We’ve not slashed subscription prices -MultiChoice
Amid a recent drop in subscribers, MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv and GOtv pay television in Nigeria has denied slashing its subscription fees in Nigeria. This is according to BusinessDay quoting a source in the company on Tuesday. The source said the company only reduced decoder prices but subscription prices remained unchanged. “We only reduced our decoder prices and not subscription prices. Recall that MultiChoice Nigeria is currently in the middle of a legal case as it is challenging a ruling by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, CCPT that mandated it to offer one-month free subscription services and imposed a N150 million fine. The development comes as the company announced that its subscribers in Nigeria dropped by 18 percent in the first quarter of 2024. This is according to BusinessDay quoting a source in the company on Tuesday. Since March 2022, the company has hiked its subscription fee four times. The latest was in April 2024 when it hiked subscription fees by 17 percent.
BREAKING: Police rescue kidnapped Fouani Brothers
The famous Fouani family, recently traumatized by the abduction of three of their members, can now heave a sigh of relief as the Lagos police command has rescued the three abductees. In a brief statement pushed out a while ago, the police listed those released as Abbas Fouani, Youssef Fouani, and Amtal Fouani. It would be recalled that the brothers, who are part of the prominent Fouani Nigeria Ltd family, were kidnapped on June 14 around 6 pm while travelling by boat from their factory.
APC South-South Region Urges Tinubu to Contest Again In 2027
The All Progressive Party (APC) in the South-South region has called on President Bola Tinubu to re-contest for the office of the president in the 2027 election. This was contained in a communiqué jointly signed by the APC Congress South-South Zonal Executive after a meeting in Calabar, Cross Rivers, on Sunday. It commended Tinubu for his policies, projects, and programmes, adding that the economic reforms were targeted at repositioning the country. The committee reaffirmed its unwavering support for the policies and programs of the Tinubu administration in areas of good governance, economic reforms, national security, and infrastructural development. Tinubu had on May 29, 2023, declared an end to petrol subsidies, a move that saw Nigeria’s headline inflation rising to 33.95 per cent in May, according to the latest report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The data revealed that on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 11.54 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in May 2023, which was 22.41 per cent. The NBS report also revealed that the Food inflation rate in May 2024 was 40.66% on a year-on-year basis, which was 15.84 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in May 2023 (24.82 per cent). Despite the rising inflation rate, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has also implemented several money-tightening policies which have been criticised by the World Bank. Different tax policies to increase revenue have also been put in place by the apex bank. As if the inflation was not enough, the Federal Government is currently battling the duo of the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, on a new minimum wage. FG has insisted on N62,000 despite rejection by labour. But the committee has expressed optimism with Tinubu’s reforms and also commended the president for his commitment to the coastal road project, and the commencement of the construction from both ends of the project. The committee said it has resolved to set up a reconciliation committee in the South-South region, to be headed by the Coordinator of the South-South geo-political zone, Senator Bassey Otu. The communiqué said the move is to bridge any existing gap, foster collaboration, and work towards a common goal of strengthening the party’s presence and influence in the region. It also resolved to mobilise available party assets towards winning more states; particularly using the forthcoming elections in Edo State as a test case. “Resolves to mobilise efforts towards the e-registration program of the All Progressives Congress by creating the required awareness to engender inclusivity, participation, and ownership of the party,” the communiqué added. It also passed a vote of confidence on the President of the Senate, Sen (Dr) Godswill Akpabio, as the Leader of the APC in the zone, and on Victor Giadom and the zonal executive members of the party. The meeting concluded with a call to action for all party members, to actively participate in the re-building and strengthening of the APC in the zone.
Why My Brother Is Not Fit To Be The President Of Nigeria – MKO Abiola’s Son, Abdul
Abdul, one of the sons of the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO Abiola), has claimed that his elder brother, Kola is not fit to be the president of Nigeria. Like his father, Kola contested for the presidency on the platform of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in the 2023 elections. However, Abdul stated that Kola failed in his duty to manage Abiola’s empire. He lamented over his brother’s failure to sustain Abiola’s political legacy and unite the family. Abdul stated this while speaking on Seun Okinbaloye’s Podcast, Mic On. According to him, “MKO Abiola’s legacy would have been properly sustained if Kola was in a better position and could have been a voice of better democratic values, but he chose not to. “During the time my father was still in jail, he was having a relationship with Babangida’s daughter. It’s sad, but I’m a little pleased that my father didn’t come out to see what his first son has turned out to become. “I’m unhappy with him, and even Nigerians are unhappy. You can see how many people voted for him when he campaigned for the presidency. I wondered how he thought he could be president when he could not manage Abiola’s empire. How will he manage Nigeria? “This is the problem in Nigeria: people are not showing capacity in their own little sphere of work but want a higher position.”