2023 Presidency: The Manoeuvres In The North By KUNLE ODEREMI

With the seeming non-committal of the main parties to power rotation as the journey to 2023 progresses, different forces in the North intensity move to secure presidential tickets. KUNLE ODEREMI writes on the moves and permutations across the North. THERE are frenzied movements across the three geopolitical zones in the North in the bid for the seat of the next president of the country. Several power brokers are leading consultations, discussions and meetings to build bridges of cooperation and understanding in the quest by the North to consolidate in power in the next dispensation. In the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), there are varying permutations as the power brokers attempt to outwit one another, with the hawks capitalising on the prevalent crevices on the wall of the party across board. While President Muhammadu Buhari, the de facto leader of APC, is keeping many party faithful guessing on where he stands on power shift, a few of his close allies and associates are being linked to lobby groups working for certain interests in the contest for the presidential ticket of the party.   Power shift With a clear signal that both PDP and APC are non-committal to power rotation, major power brokers are stepping up consultations across the three geopolitical zones in the North in the quest to retain power in 2023. At one level, the permutation is to evolve a consensus candidate for the contest; at another level, the discussion centres on the possibility of a zone in the North producing two strong candidates to guarantee that power goes to their zone; the third level is about the determined individual bid by some presidential hopeful to lobby influential groups and individuals in certain zones. Checks indicate that series of consultations have been lined up for the next few days by the leaders, especially in PDP, though similar consultations have been held across the three geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. There is a strong push for the possibility of consensus presidential material from the North, but the effort is yet to gather momentum among the power blocs due to individual ambitions.   Widening cracks Schism or cracks are also manifesting over the vice presidential slot, especially among the governors of the ruling APC in the North. Governors of Kaduna, Kano and Borno are on the radar of some prominent groups and individuals as possible choice as vice presidential hopefuls. But, major stakeholders, especially Borno elders have refused to buy into the attempt to make Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum run for the vice presidency. According to sources, the elders prefer he be allowed to continue and concentrate on the good work he has started in the insurgency-ravaged North-East zone. But the pro-Kaduna governor group wants him to run with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo if the latter eventually throws his hat into the ring. Another group is said to favour that Governor Abdulahi Ganduje runs as vice to former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Tinubu. A plethora of groups is campaigning that Tinubu contests as possible successor of President Muhammadu Buhari.   Zonal plots For the main opposition, PDP, the governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal appears the major contender for the PDP presidential ticket so far from the North-East. The bid by other PDP stalwarts from the zone is still within the realm of speculation. In the North-West, loyalists of a former governor of Kano State, Dr Musa Kwankwaso are promoting his speculated presidential bid, Generally, in the PDP, the camps of a former president of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and current governor of Sokoto Honourable Tambuwal and former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar are abuzz with activities in their efforts to secure the presidential ticket of the party. Suffice it to say such activities are characterised by varying permutations, consultations and strategies designed at getting the presidential ticket. For example, leaders of the North-Central zone, across the various parties, are said to be making conscious move to forge a common front in bid for the presidency, with the mantra of their campaign being the need for justice, equity, and national unity. According to sources, top-level meetings are being held in the federal capital, Abuja, as well as Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger and Kogi states, with the campaign being handled at different levels with members of the National Assembly from the zone. Those behind the push include former members of the National Assembly, present and past governors from the zone, as well as speakers of the state Houses of Assembly, retired top military brass, business moguls and traditional rulers, all of whom have been mandated to propagate the North-Central agenda to their colleagues, friends, and associates from the other geopolitical zones, because their belief is that this time, their counterparts in the North West and the North East zones should support their agitation to produce the next president. The North Central leaders are set to start sending emissaries to all the other geo-political zones where they will meet other leaders and persuade them to help make the idea of a Nigerian from the North Central zone possible the way they did in 1999 when the entire country was made or persuaded to elect a Nigerian President from South west. The gains of the unity, strength, and vigour built during that time show it was still the best since the return to democracy. According to them, their agitation is supported by historical facts, the principle of justice and equity, that since 1960 when Nigeria became independent, the zone has solidly been resolute on the oneness of Arewa. The bid by the zone is against the backdrop of the strategic role it played during military interregnum. The North Central was pivotal in sustain the corporate existence of the country following the 1966 putsch that aborted the First Republic. One of the leaders argued: “From Shagari to Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan and Buhari, this our zone decides who becomes the President. We are tired of being kingmakers. We want to produce the King because we have numerously qualified, experienced and connected individuals given its heterogeneity or diversity.” Another argument of the area is that it is the only zone that has neither produced a president nor vice president since the advent of the country. This fact, they stated, placed them in a worse situation than that of the South East which between 1979 and 1983 produced the late Vice President Alex Ekwueme, and the thinking is that the current agitation was inspired by the success of the South-South zone which ended up producing a vice president and president in Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who served as vice president for three years and as president for five years. Thus, a leader in the North Central zone said the success of the South-South in producing a president has imbued confidence, the spirit of nationalism, and patriotism in the north-Central. It is against this backdrop that the leaders are encouraging all those qualified to be president to join the race in their respective political parties and provide solid backing for the zone’s bid. According to some observers, the battle for the presidential slot has just begun. How the second phase would be is a matter of weeks as the parties step up preparations for other critical stages meant to produce standard-bearers for the 2023 presidency.

APC chairmanship and Buhari’s men in the race

Before last week, there was growing scepticism in some circles in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) about the sincerity of interim national leadership to hold a convention. Some had insinuated a purported hidden plan by the leadership to railroad themselves to substantive national officers. But the announcement of February 2022 has rekindled hopes across board of an opportunity to elect a new executive that will succeed the Ma Buni-led interim leadership. The announcement has led to frenetic moves by chairmanship hopefuls, with their loyalists and foot soldiers lobbying major stakeholders in the party for their principals. Drawn from different backgrounds, each of the eight contenders for the position have a date with history in February, going by the ongoing intense scheming and politicking ahead of the convention. There are reports of consultations and discussions for possible alignment and re-alignment of forces by different forces ahead of the convention. Pundits are saying both internal and external factors might determine APC national chairmanship. In fact, one of the issues many are talking about is the possibility of integrity and transparency of the contestants, especially on their record of service at higher levels in both public and private capacities.  And so far, former governors, serving senators and other categories of high profile are in the race. The list includes: Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who served as the governor of Nasarawa State from May 29,1999 to May 29, 2007; and his successor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, between 2011 and 2019; as well as Senator George Akume, who is a former governor of Benue State and ex-Senate minority leader; he hails from Benue State. He is regarded as dogged fighter. The other contestant is Mohammed Sani Musa, the senator representing Niger East in the Senate; and Danjuma Goje, a former governor of Gombe State and also a Senator. Also in the race are Mallam Saliu Mustapha, a former governorship candidate and chieftain of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC); Ali Modu Sheriff, former governor of Borno State; and Abdulaziz Yari, former governor of Zamfara State. Thus, some candidates are believed to have a record of being with President Muhammadu Buhari from his days in the All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (ANPP) to the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and now in APC. According to observers, these men may enjoy some degree of favour by their positions as the presidents’ men. Among those considered to be the president’s lieutenants are people who worked with him and believed in his vision from his days as an opposition politician struggling to win elections into the exalted seat that he now occupies. Among those jostling for the position, three candidates stand out as the President’s allies in ANPP through CPC and now APC. They are Tanko Al-Makura from Nasarawa State; Saliu Mustapha from Kwara State; and Muhammed Bello Mustapha from Taraba State.

BREAKING: FG asks UK to rescind travel ban over OMICRON variant by Abiolapaul

The Federal Government has asked the United Kingdom to review its decision to impose travel ban on Nigerians because of Omicron variant of COVID-19 . It said the UK’s decision was “unfair, unjust, punitive and discriminatory because it does not follow science.” The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed made the position of the government known at a briefing in Abuja. He said: “As you are aware, Britain has put Nigeria on its red list and banned foreign travels from our country. ” This is as a result of the discovery of Covid-19 cases, Omicron variant, in Nigeria. Britain now joins other countries, including Canada, which have taken a similar action against Nigeria over Omicron. ” Let me say straight away that it’s up to the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) to respond to this action by the British government and others, and I have no doubt that the Committee will respond appropriately. ” However, as the Spokesman for the Federal Government, I can say, without mincing words, that the decision by tye British government to put Nigeria on the red list, just because of less than two dozen cases of Omicron which, by the way, did not originate in Nigeria, is unjust, unfair, punitive, indefensible and discriminatory. The decision is also not driven by science. “We sincerely hope the British government will immediately review the decision to put Nigeria on its red list and rescind it immediately. Nigeria has handled the Covid-19 pandemic with utmost responsibility and based on science, and has rightly earned global accolades for its efforts. “Nigeria does not belong on any country’s red list.”

Omicron: UK, Canada tighten noose on Nigeria

Omicron Covid-19 not in Nigeria yet; we’ve ramped up surveillance — FG •UK suspends processing of visitor visa applications from Nigeria •Asks residents travelling from Nigeria to pay £2,285 for 10-day quarantine •We can no longer accept result of COVID test from Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, others – Canadian govt •FG decides on UK’s ban on Nigerian travellers this week •Health professionals differ over UK travel ban By Chioma Obinna, Victoria Ojeme, Omeiza Ajayi & Gabriel Olawale The United Kingdom and Canadian governments yesterday tightened the noose on Nigeria, following her link with the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Recall that the Uk government had weekend included Nigeria on its ‘’red list’’ of countries placed on travel ban. UK suspends processing of visitor visa applications from Nigeria As though that was not enough, British High Commission said yesterday it would “pause making decisions” on visitor visa applications from all red list countries, including Nigeria. The decision, announced in a statement issued by the commission yesterday, came hours after the UK added Nigeria to its travel red list. “To support the UK government’s aim to protect public health from COVID-19 and associated variants of concern (VOC), UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) will pause making decisions on visitor visa applications in all red list countries, including Nigeria, until travel restrictions are lifted,” the high commission said in a statement. This is even as the Canadian government said also yesterday that it would no longer accept result of COVID test from Nigeria, Egypt, South and seven other countries on the continent. UK residents travelling from Nigeria to pay £2,285 for 10-day quarantine The UK government also yesterday came up with fresh conditions for Nigerians and its citizens travelling to the UK.from Nigeria It said British citizens and residents travelling from Nigeria to the UK should expect to spend £2,285 on hotel quarantine for 10 days. According to the UK guidance on quarantine arrangements for persons who are travelling in from countries on the red list, British citizens or residents coming in from Nigeria are required to quarantine for 10 days on arrival at a government-approved hotel at a cost of £2,285 for an adult. There is an “additional rate for adult (or child over 11)” at £1,430, while an “additional rate for a child aged 5 to 11” is £325. Quarantine costs do not apply to children under five, according to the document. However, the UK said it would consider an arrangement for persons who have financial challenges. “The price includes: transport to and from your quarantine hotel; accommodation, food and drink for the whole of your stay; any COVID-19 tests you need to take while you quarantine. “If you believe you will suffer severe financial hardship if you have to pay the full cost of your managed quarantine or testing fees before you travel, then hardship arrangements may be available to you,’’ the guideline read. Meanwhile, a petition by Dalia Elbeih, a UK citizen, to the British parliament seeking to allow fully vaccinated people coming from red list countries to isolate at home had exceeded 78,000 signatures at the time of this report. “The hotel quarantine is very expensive and non affordable. I believe that there should be an exemption for fully vaccinated people and who had a negative PCR to isolate at their place of residence,” the petition read. The petition, which the UK government had responded to on July 6, had a deadline of December 10 and will be considered for debate in the UK parliament if it reaches 100,000 signatures. We can no longer accept result of COVID test from Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, others – Canadian govt Similarly, the Canadian government said it would no longer accept results of molecular COVID tests done in Nigeria and nine other African countries. The other affected countries are Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. READ ALSO: COVID-19: UK govt restricts foreign travellers from Nigeria over reported cases of Omicron Canada had, on November 30, banned travellers from the 10 countries over concerns about the spread of the Omicron COVID variant. In the “quick facts” section of its travel advisory, the government said Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and people with status under the Indian Act who had been in the affected countries are allowed entry into Canada. It, however, added that they would be required to obtain proof of a valid negative COVID test from a third country. This implies that such travellers would need an in-transit PCR test result for entry into Canada. “Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and people with status under the Indian Act who have been in these countries—Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe—in the 14 days before travel to Canada will be required to obtain, within 72 hours of departure, a valid negative COVID-19 molecular test in a third country before continuing their journey to Canada,” the statement read. The statement noted that travellers from the aforementioned countries would also be expected to complete testing upon arrival to Canada, regardless of their vaccination status or having had a previous history of testing positive for COVID-19. ‘’They will also be required to complete a test on Day 8 after arrival and quarantine for 14 days, while those arriving by air will be required to stay in a designated quarantine facility while they await their arrival test result. “They will be permitted onward travel once they have received a negative arrival test result. Those arriving by land may be allowed to proceed directly to their suitable quarantine location. “If they do not have a suitable and robust quarantine plan—where they will not have contact with anyone with whom they haven’t travelled with—or do not have private transportation to their place of quarantine, they will be directed to stay at a designated quarantine facility. “There will be increased scrutiny of quarantine plans for travellers from these countries and rigorous monitoring to ensure travellers are complying with quarantine measures. “Further, PHAC is contacting travellers, regardless of their vaccination status or having had a previous history of testing positive for COVID-19, who have entered Canada from these countries in the past 14 days to direct them to be tested and to quarantine while they wait for the results of those tests,’’ the statement read further. However, the Presidential Steering Committee, PSC, will be .meeting within the week to come up with a robust response. This is as health professionals differed yesterday over the travel ban by the UK government as some asked the government to come up with appropriate retaliation to the ban, while others said Nigeria had no reason to complain because the federal government failed to do its job. Head, Technical Secretariat of the PSC, Dr Mukhtar Muhammed, could not be reached on yesterday as he rejected calls placed to his known telephone line, while also failing to respond to a WhatsApp text message. But, a top source in the PSC said despite Nigeria’s principle of reciprocity, the decision to counter the UK would not be unilaterally taken by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF. “There is a lot of politicking and diplomacy involved in taking such decisions. There is a summit slated for Monday (today) and Tuesday. The issue is likely to come up. ‘’The PSC will meet and take briefings from relevant organs like Foreign Affairs, Aviation and others before it can come up with a robust response to the UK,” said the source. On her part, spokesperson to the Geoffery Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Esther Sunsuwa, said the ministry will respond at the appropriate time “We will respond at the appropriate time, but for now, we have no official statement on that,’’ Sunsuwa told Vanguard on phone last night. Health professionals react Reacting to the UK ban yesterday, health professionals expressed divergent views on the issue, as the Omicron variant spread to at least 38 countries. In his reaction, President of the Nigeria Infectious Disease Society, NIDS, Prof. Dimie Ogoina, said the addition of Nigeria to the UK red list was unnecessary and not proportionate to the current threat of the omicron variant. Ogoina, who noted that the UK government’s justification for this decision was based on the 27 cases of the Omicron variant in the UK linked to travel from Nigeria, said the variant had already spread to more than 38 countries. According to him, there is likely already community transmission in most of the countries where the variant has been found He said: “Consequently, instituting travel ban for a few countries does not stop the virus from spreading. With over 120 cases already reported in the UK, it is probable there is already community transmission in this country. “It seems the institution of travel ban by most countries is out of panic and not necessarily based on science. Travel ban has never stopped international spread of any variant and the same applies for Omicron. “Nigeria should continue to strengthen its surveillance, especially at all points of entry. We must ramp up our genomic surveillance capacity, so we can detect all variants of the virus in Nigeria, including Omicron. ‘’When detected, we ought to determine the peculiarity of the variant in Nigeria, with regard to transmissibility, severity and clinical outcomes.” Corroborating his views, a renowned medical laboratory scientist & public health Analyst, Dr Casmir Ifeanyi, said the UK’s decision was a misplaced decision and condemnable, asking the federal government to reciprocate the ban. He described the situation as worrisome in the sense that when the whole world was supposed to work together as a global community, some were on a mission of building walls. He said singling out Africa countries for ban was condemnable and unacceptable. “It’s very unfortunate that Omicron variant has elicited diplomatic dimension. It’s of public knowledge that the virus did not originate from Africa, singling out African countries for ban is condemnable, unacceptable and a misplaced decision. ‘’But if we continue to build walls because of Omicron variant, it simply means that the entire globe is falling under the virus. “I expect leaders of Africa countries, particularly the Presidents of Nigeria and South Africa, to speak up and also recall diplomats from those countries. We need to show them that as a continent, we may not have advance technology, but we are resilient in nature,’’ he said. Ifeanyi said some other countries would follow the UK example, if the federal government failed to act now. ‘’This makes it important for the country to explore some other diplomatic options as well as a response to this approach in managing a global challenge. “We need to ban flight coming from United Kingdom as well as United State of America. If we do not do that, we will not come to round table to discuss and we would always be at receiving end.” On the allegation that Africa countries were cutting corners, Ifeanyi said such accusation was baseless, “Did we all recall that The Netherland came out a day after South Africa’s declaration to claim that they already discovered Omicron before South Africa? Why did they keep silent until South Africa alerted the entire world? “So who is not transparent in the entire effort to combat COVID-19 virus? The person that discovered and keeps it secret or the person who finds the variant and makes it public? If there is any reason to cut corner, it’s because they are making access to technology difficult for our people.” Also, in a chat with Vanguard, the Chairman of Bio-vaccine Board, and a Board member of the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation, GAVI, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, said people needed to look at it from the point of growing cases in those countries and the need to take proactive measures. “For instance, England has recorded over 27 cases and still counting. Significant numbers of those cases are linked to travel with Nigeria. So tell me who should be angry? “When you lie, cheat, falsify lab results of those travelling out of Nigeria, and you are caught at the other end, you should be ashamed and not angry. “Until we address this disgrace, they will continue to ban us. We need to get our house in order and stop this anger. We need to be expecting more ban. As to the implications of the ban, ask South Africa. It has affects movements, trade, holiday travels, among others, negatively.” Also reacting to the issue yesterday, President of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Prof Innocent Ujah, said countries had right to protect their citizens, adding that if Nigeria felt strongly about the UK ban, the country should update its travel restriction According to him, the ban should be seen as a protective strategy and not retaliation. “We can do the same if we feel strongly about it but unfortunately, the circumstances are not favourable to Nigeria. They have to defend and protect their people. It is no longer a question of if they are right or wrong. ‘’The reality is that they discovered Nigerians who have the Omicron variant, and they ban Nigeria just like they did to South Africa. “I cannot say country should retaliate because it is a clear policy issue. Nigeria can also ban other countries and that is not the first time they have done that. ‘’I advise that the Nigeria government should continue to investigate cases and for Nigerians to observe safety protocols.”

Obi Akaeze, the 15-year-old who became ruler of a kingdom in Nigeria’s Delta State

15 years old Nigeria's Delta State ruler All teenagers are not the same. But apart from studying, many enjoy doing things like watching movies, going to parties or the beach, shopping, being with friends, and not bearing the weight of a community on their shoulders. Five years ago, Noah Chukwuka Ofulue’s life changed when his father was kidnapped and murdered by gunmen. At just 15, Ofulue, a secondary school student and first son of the late king, Obi Edward Ofulue III, had to take over his father’s throne in the Ubulu-Uku Kingdom, a community in the Delta State of Nigeria. Installed as king on February 20, 2016, after the traditional rites were performed, Ofulue took the title of Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze. A prince, he was now king, bringing an end to his teenage life. Crowned as king by the kingmakers of Ubulu-Uku, he was first presented to the members of the royal family before his presentation to the council of elders at the palace as the new ruler of the kingdom. Prominent people attended the ceremony, including the President-General of Ubulu-Uku Development Union and a member of the House of Representatives representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency. Also present were traditional chiefs and titleholders, the Chairman of Aniocha South Local Government Area, religious leaders, women, young people and other stakeholders in the kingdom. People of the Ubulu-Uku Kingdom were at the time mourning the murder of their former king but the installation of his 15-year-old son as the new king brought joy. At the time, the Secretary of the Palace, Joseph Obazei, described the ceremony as “wonderful”. “This is a young man who was not even looking up to this position because his father was young and vibrant. Unfortunately, this bad event occurred. He has now been thrust upon the throne taking up the mantle of his late father. Ubulu-Uku people are very happy that we have somebody who has taken up the throne because the king never dies,” Obazei said. In other words, according to the custom and tradition of the people, a king can only be said to be dead only when a new one is installed. Obazei further explained to the Punch that per Ubulu-Uku tradition, there were not too many rites to the installation of a new king. “By our tradition, you can wake up in the morning and see the heir apparent sitting on the throne and issuing commands which will be obeyed. That will tell that something happened in the night and something has happened now. “So, this young man has taken over the stool of his father, and now he can begin to give direction to the town.” Young monarch Akaeze appealed to his subjects to give him the support he would need to make the kingdom grow. During the ceremony, it was revealed that a regent would be appointed to manage the stool while the boy-king paid attention to his education. And that is exactly what Akaeze did. In July 2019, as his father’s immediate younger brother continued to act for him as a Regent, Akaeze was conferred with a law degree at the University of Exeter, England, Vanguard reported. He was 21. Being a constitutional democracy, Nigeria elects its representatives, however, the hundreds of ethnic communities scattered across the country still acknowledge their own traditional rulers. In most communities in the northern Delta State, including Ubulu-Uku where Akaeze is king, primogeniture is practiced, where the firstborn son succeeds his parents, according to reports. Ubulu-Uku, also known as Ubulu-Ukwu, is an Igbo town that shares boundaries with Ogwuashi Ukwu to the east, Obior to the west, Isselu-Ukwu to the north, and Ubulu-Unor to the south. Farming is the main occupation of the community, with its major produce being yam, cassava, cotton, cashew, maize, and palm produce. Men are usually palm wine tappers and hunters while women are known for their cloth weaving. Security became a major issue in the town of about 10000 people but during his installation, Akaeze assured the people that he would do all he can to ensure that security is enhanced in the kingdom while attracting the needed development to it.

“My goal is to keep APC in power beyond 2023”, says chairmanship aspirant

Malam Saliu Mustapha Malam Saliu Mustapha, a frontline aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairmanship position, has said that his major priority is to keep the party in power beyond 2023 if elected. According to a statement issued by Mr Dapo Okubanjo, Head of his Media Office on Sunday in Abuja, the aspirant said this at a meeting with APC and social media influencers. He said he would tap into his network and goodwill to achieve his desire. He added that he would rally a vast majority of Nigerian youths to support the APC ahead of the 2023 general elections and beyond if he is elected as the party’s next national chairman at its forthcoming national convention. Mustapha, former Deputy National Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), said his greatest priority as APC national chairman would be achieving an overwhelming win for the party in 2023 general elections. “And this we plan to do by building on what we have as well as bringing in new ways of doing things to continue the party’s winning streak. “An extra advantage would be my ability to mobilise youths within the party’s vote banks across the country. If we are able to achieve this, the sky itself will be the starting point for the party,” Mustapha added. He commended APC social media influencers for what he described as their struggles and sacrifices for the party over the years and assured them of a different approach to their welfare when elected as the party’s next national chairman. He called for the support and partnership of the media, especially APC social media influencers, adding that their support is critical to his success if he is voted as the party’s next national chairman. The aspirant promised to do things differently, vowing that he will keep his promises. “But I cannot achieve this without your support, that’s why I welcome this level of partnership. I will do all my best to sustain it. “The new media will have a pride of place in the party secretariat with me at the helm of affairs so that we won’t have to be running from pillar to post at the approach of every election cycle,” he said. The statement quoted Mr Olusegun Dada, one of the social media influencers and one of APC’s youth leaders, as saying that Mustapha is a real bridge builder. He commended the aspirant for his foresight and doggedness, and urged him to take his aspiration to a logical conclusion. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved February 2022 as the month for the conduct of the APC National Convention to elect National Working Committee (NWC) members to manage the party’s affairs, currently being managed by the Gov. Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC). (NAN)

How Gov Ganduje May Be Affected With The Void of Emir Sanusi's Banishment From Kano

The political situation in the camp of the incumbent Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, may be considered awful as his political camp suffered what could be taken as a shocking political setback with the nullification of the banishment placed on the dethroned Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi by a court. The nullification of the banishment placed on the dethroned Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi could be described as the heaviest political defeat that the Gandujiyya political camp may have suffered, in he recent time.

It could be recalled that a Court has recently voided the banishment placed on the dethroned Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, by the administration of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. The banishment had restricted the dethroned Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, from entering Kano. Remarkably, about two years ago, the administration of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje commenced activities to dethrone Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who was later banished from entering Kano, after he was successfully dethroned. The dethroned Emir Sanusi chose to challenge his banishment, the case which he won with the court ordering the Kano State Government to tender an apology and pay him N10 million as compensation. How Does This Seem As Setback For Gov Ganduje?

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi Actually, the primary motive that led to the dethronement and banishment of Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from Kano could not be, totally, separated from the political rift between the dethroned Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, ahead of the 2019 Governorship election in Kano State. It could be recall that Governor Ganduje was, then, seeking for his second term election in Office as the Executive Governor of Kano State. Considerably, the dethronement and banishment of Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from Kano could, hardly, be unconnected to an attempt to reduce the growing political influence of the dethroned Emir Sanusi, in as much as Kano State politics is concerned. With the banishment, the political influence of the dethroned Emir could be considered checkmated because he would not have enough communication with his supporters and he may, possibly, lose out the political influence with time, if he had failed in his litigation which challenged his banishment by the Kano State Government.

Abdullahi Umar Ganduje Considerably, the nullification of the banishment placed on Emir Sanusi by the court could be seen as a great political setback for Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, reasonably, because the dethroned Emir Sanusi may return to Kano to reawaken those who shared the same political ideologies with him and this may, immensely, affect the political camp of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who will be completing his second term in office in 2023.