Home Blog Page 690

Again, Police Stops Emirs Sanusi, Bayero From Holding Sallah Durbar

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
-
0
Emir Sanusi holds Durbar In Kano

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

For the second year running ,the Police authorities on Friday March 28, 2028, formally banned all forms of Sallah Durbar and any procession by any of the two contending factions for the Emirate stool.

The Source reports that since May 23, 2024, Emirs Aminu Ado Bayero and Sanusi Lamido have been  laying claim to the coveted royal throne of Kano Emirate.

Governor Abba  Yusuf, working in tandem with the State House of Assembly had, on Thursday, May 23, 2024, dethroned  Bayero the 15th Emir of the Emirate, and reinstalled Sanusi  as the 16th Emir.

Sanusi had  earlier been  sacked in 2020 as the 14th Emir by the immediate past Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje .

A plethora of Court actions by both parties has since led to two rival  Emirs in the Emirate for the first time in its history.

Presently, the two parties are eagerly awaiting the decision of the highest court in the land -Supreme Court – to know who finally occupies the throne.

In the main, while  Sanusi occupies the main palace in the ancient city, Bayero holds court at the mini Palace in Nasarawa GRA, close to the State’s seat of power.

In 2024, the insistence by both Traditional Rulers to observe the Sallah Durbar, led to Security Agencies banning the ceremony to forstall the possibilities of a breakdown of law and order.

The same scenario is playing out in 2025 with the police once again stepping in .

A statement on Friday by  Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, SP,  the spokesperson for the Kano State Police Command informed that this year’s Sallah celebrations in the ancient city will also be devoid of any procession and/or Durbar.

According to the Police, the measure is to prevent the breakdown of law and order in the State.

But the position of the Police clearly contradicts that of Governor Yusuf, who had on March 18, 2025  directed all Traditional Leaders in the State to commence preparations for the observance of  Sallah Durbar by Emir Sanusi.

Sanusi is strongly enjoying the backing of the State Government, while Bayero has seems to have the support of some Federal forces .

According to Governor Yusuf, his administration will not allow anybody and group of people to deny the people the celebration of their cherished religious and cultural heritage.

He has similarly assured the people that efforts were ongoing to engage security agencies on  how to ensure a hitch free Durbar by Emir Sanusi.

Conversely, the Bayero camp, on Wednesday  March 26 , voluntarily called off  its earlier plan to hold the Traditional Sallah Durbar festivities citing the need to avoid any breakdown of law and order as a major reason

As at the time reporting ,the Kano authorities ,were yet to react to the Police ban of Sallah Durbar for the second time in two years.

Adherents Of Sharia Law Free In The State – Oyo State Gov. Reverses Decision

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Sharia

By Ayodele Oni

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has revised his decision not to allow the implementation of the Islamic Sharia law in the state.

Makinde made these remarks during the 2025 Iftar Programme organized by the Oyo State Government, the sixth such event since his tenure began in 2019, held in Ibadan.

Sharia law has taken off in the South West despite opposition to its implementation by states in the zone.

Governor Makinde had earlier been reported to have vowed to drag those behind the Islamic law practice in the state to court.

The governor has however, addressed the proposed implementation of Sharia Law in certain South-West states, including Oyo, clarifying that his administration will not oppose any initiative that aligns with the Nigerian Constitution.

This statement comes in response to media reports suggesting the Oyo State Government would legally challenge the plan.

Governor Makinde stated that individuals are free to utilize the Sharia Panel as an alternative dispute resolution method.

He emphasized that the courts, as outlined by the Constitution, retain the authority to settle all disputes, and his administration will consistently adhere to constitutional principles.

He affirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering religious harmony and unity in the state, and pledged to prevent any attempts to create discord.

AYCF, Reps Member, Condemn Killing Of Hausa Travelers In Edo, Call For Investigation

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Killing Of Hausa Travelers In Edo

By Ayodele Oni

Tension has gripped Uromi community in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State following the gruesome killing of some travelers by a mob.

Report stated that some travelers, mostly Hausa, from Port Harcourt were waylaid at Uromi on suspicion that they were kidnappers.

The suspicion, it was gathered, was based on the fact that most of the passengers, traveling for Sallah celebrations were armed with guns.

They were reportedly accosted by members of vigilantes in the community that now invited youths to attack them leading to the death of several persons, while others were beaten to stupor among the travellers.

Before security agents could intercede, the victims had been brutalized leading to death of several of them while the vehicle in which they were traveling was set ablaze.

A Member Representing Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Marcus Onobun has condemned the alleged killing of seven persons of Northern extraction in Uromi, Esan North East in a trending online video.

Onobun, in a reaction to the situation, described the Jungle Justice style as alien to the people of Edo State, who he said are hospitable and not hostile.

The House of Representatives Member decried the worsening security situation in the state, which has created fear in the minds of the people of  Edo State.

While stressing that the situation in which the jungle justice was carried out is still sketchy, he called on security agencies including the Inspector General of Police to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident to unravel the  immediate and remote causes of the incident.

Onobun however called on President Tinubu to wade into the security challenges faced by residents of Edo state, adding that the protection of lives and properties should be made very sacrosanct.

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has also condemned the mob killing of 16 northerners in Uromi, Edo state on Thursday.

In a press statement signed by Yerima Shetima, President General, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) said the 16 innocent travellers from the northern part of the country lost their lives due to a horrifying display of mob injustice.

According to the statement, “we stands united in its outrage and condemnation of the horrific events that transpired on Thursday in the Udune Efandion community of Uromi, Edo State, where 16 innocent travelers from Northern Nigeria tragically lost their lives due to a horrifying display of mob injustice.

“These victims, primarily Hausa hunters, were en route from Port Harcourt to Kano to celebrate the Sallah festivities when they fell prey to a brutal and misguided attack, fueled by false accusations and sheer ignorance.

“It is with deep sorrow that we learnt that these individuals were intercepted around 1:30 p.m. by members of the Edo State Security Corps and local vigilantes.

“The subsequent actions of an irate mob, incited by unfounded claims of kidnapping, led to a grotesque act of barbarism that is both regrettable and unacceptable.

“The mob’s actions resulted in the loss of 16 precious lives, with some bodies tragically trapped inside the vehicle that was set ablaze

“We recognize the pain and anger that this incident has caused within the Hausa community in Uromi and beyond.

“However, we urge our brothers and sisters to remain calm and peaceful while also being vigilant. It is essential to resist the temptation for retaliation and instead seek justice through lawful means.

“The AYCF stands ready to support the community in advocating for their rights and ensuring that such an atrocity is never repeated.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and call upon the relevant authorities to act swiftly in bringing the perpetrators of this mob injustice to justice. We must work together to build a society where dialogue and understanding prevail over violence and ignorance.”

“The AYCF remains committed to promoting peace, justice, and unity among all Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic or regional backgrounds.

Billions Of Naira Lost As Fire Razes Onitsha Market

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
-
0

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Officials of the Anambra State Fire Service on Friday March 28 ,2025 ,said they are battling hard to control a fire outbreak at a section of the Onitsha Main Market .

An early morning inferno razed a substantial part of the  Market ,leaving in its wake monumental losses.

According to some eyewitness accounts , the fire which began at about 6.00 am, Friday, March 28, from one of the stalls, was to later engulf many other shops and buildings.

It is estimated that goods worth  billions of Naira may have been lost to the raging fire.

Several shops and buildings  have been affected. Firefighters and other public spirited individuals were battling to arrest the situation.

It is not yet clear what have ignited the fire outbreak, but speculations are strong that it may have resulted from a possible faulty electrical installation.

However, Chukwudi Chiketa, the Head of Media and Public Relations Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, while confirming the unfortunate incident informed that efforts were underway to bring the situation under control .

In a short statement, Chiketa sued for calm. ,as efforts to put out the fire continue.

“Anambra State Fire Service is currently on intervention at the scene of the fire outbreak at Ifejika Street by Sokoto Road Onitsha.

A distress call came at 0620 am today ( Friday ) and our firefighters deployed immediately”, the Fire Service spokesperson stated .

Meanwhile, locals and other concerned persons joined the official firefighters both in puting out the fire and rescue operations

Particularly, concerted  efforts are ongoing to assist in retrieving goods and other valuables in some endangered shops .

Wike Importing Rivers Crisis Into Bayelsa, Gov Diri Raises Alarm,  Minister  Urges Him To Face Governance

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
-
0
Douye Diri and Nyesom Wike

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Governor Douye Diri has warned those planning a mega rally in support of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike to stay away from Bayelsa State as that is capable of breaching the peace in the State.

In response, Wike urged the Governor to stop crying wolf where there is none.

The Source reports that some nebulous groups, in the last few days, have been  drumming up support for a  rally and inauguration of a body loyal to the FCT minister in Yenagoa the Bayelsa state capital.

The planned rally is coming up amidst the tension created in Rivers state, and the entire Niger Delta region by the increasingly unpopular declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers by President Bola Tinubu.

The President had on Tuesday March 18, 2025, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly, after proclaiming an emergency rule.

The action has since turned out to be an albatross of sorts, as it has incurred the wrath of overwhelming majority of Nigerians, and even global  audience.

On personal level ,Wike has unarguably become the biggest casualty as his image has  taken a hit,owing to his role in events which led up to the emergency declaration in his home State, Rivers.

But speaking after the State Security Council meeting on Thursday evening, March 27, Governor Diri warned that such a gathering in the state capital, at this critical moment has the potentials to severely disrupt not just the peace of the State, but escalate tension in the entire Niger Delta region.

Bayelsa  is the only State in the country wholly belonging to the Ijaws whose son, Fubara, is  being hounded by the Wike’s political machine.

Holding a mega rally in the State capital in support of Wike is being perceived by not a few as a  direct confrontation with the already injured Ijaw people.

Governor Diri, expressed serious concern about an alleged plot to cause chaos in the state ,by those behind the mega rally.

He charged security Chiefs, Commanders, community  Traditional Rulers and Youth Leaders in the State to be on high alert, to abort any orchestrated  plan by any misguided group to disrupt the peace and security of Bayelsa.

According to the Governor, staging such a rally at a time the political crisis in neighbouring Rivers is at a boiling point could lead to some serious consequences on the security architecture of Bayelsa.

Governor Diri. noted that the alarm has become highly imperative given that the Wike, had recently vowed to stoke crisis in Bayelsa.

But he also cautioned those harbouring the idea of brewing crisis in Bayelsa to have a rethink as the people are determined to resist any such move.

“Any attempt to import the Rivers State political crisis into Bayelsa will be resisted. I, therefore, urge Security Chiefs in the State to be on the alert.

“Parents and Traditional Rulers should discourage their wards from being used by unscrupulous elements to cause trouble in the state.

“The peaceful disposition of of the people should not be mistaken for cowardice. We will not allow some faceless group to foment trouble in Bayelsa which is the home land of all Ijaw people.

“As you are aware, we have threats from our sister State, Rivers. The political crisis there is threatening us, and we will not allow what is happening there to come into Bayelsa state.

“We have in our party a renegade who has decided to form a parallel PDP in Bayelsa State ,working with an ex-Governor.

“The party in our state suspended him for gross misconduct and for now he is not a member of our party in Bayelsa state.

“He was part of a kangaroo PDP South-south Zonal Congress that was rejected by the National Working Committee, NWC, of our party, and he is threatening the peace of the State.

“Well, this is not Rivers state. Bayelsa is the cradle of every Ijaw man. I have always said that being peaceful is not cowardice.

“We are very courageous, and we can stand up for the truth at all times. Any public facility belonging to Bayelsa state  cannot be used, except with express approval of the State Government”,

Governor Diri said.

However, the Minister of the FCT described Governor Diri’s security alarm as shamefully baseless.

A statement by Lere Olayinka ,his Media Aide, noted that Wike could have contacted Security Agencies personally if actually there was a plan to hold a rally for him in Bayelsa State.

The statement further advised the Governor to pay more attention to the issues of  governance, rather  than dissipating energy and  chasing shadows.

“It is so unfortunate that a Governor with all the security apparatus available to him could go on national television on mere suspicion of people planning a rally which is their right to hold”, Olayinka stated.

Olayinka noted that as a fearless person, the FCT Minister will always show his face in any project or event in which he is interested, rather than hide under any group.

The statement expressed regret that the Governor could call a security council meeting just to discuss rumoured planned rally for Wike.

“Is this how childish governance in Bayelsa state has become? Must he use Wike as a cover up for his failure in governance and politics?”, he queried.

Sanwoolu Walks A Tightrope; Tinubu Furious Over Gov, Atiku’s Dalliance

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0
Bola Tinubu and Babajide Sanwo-olu

The Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwoolu state is in trouble if recent developments in Nigeria’s political space, particularly Lagos, is anything to go by.

The state governor who has managed to shrug off attacks from the State House of Assembly and its Speaker, Mudasiru Obasa, has been accused of sponsoring the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar.

In January, Obasa was impeached by the majority members of the state House of Assembly who accused him of corruption, highhandedness and abuse of office, a move those close to power in the  state claimed may not have escaped the imprimatur of the governor.

The governor has denied that he had anything to do with Obasa’s removal at time time, but the Speaker who managed to return to office though the backing of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, believes that Sanwoolu teamed up with his enemies in the Assembly to impeach him.

“May be it’s the time for the Speaker to fight back at the governor, because the allegation that Sanwoolu gave money to the president’s biggest rival is a weighty one that any politician who know his onions can easily latch on.  Obasa is a very deft politicians if you consider his political trajectory in the state,” a top political source in the ruling party in the state said.

The alleged funds were said to have been funneled through Governor Sanwo-Olu’s ally Aisha Achimugu, a prominent businessman who, according to the rumour mills is having an affair with the governor.

Atiku Abubakar
Abubakar: Alleged To Have Received Funds From Sanwoolu

Apart from Abubakar, the LP Presidential candidate, Peter Obi was said to have also received funding from the businesswoman, who has now been accused, by those close to the president of working with the governor to scuttle Tinubu’s presidential ambition using ‘Lagos Money’.

The magazine reported that Sanwo-olu raised eye brow after he attended the birthday bash of Achimugu last year in one of the Caribbean countries.

Analysts say the governor would be very lucky to escape the current onslaught against him by his traducers, describing the current allegation as a possible way by the speaker and other key interest in the state not happy with Sanwoolu,  to get back at the governor, who was allegedly fingered in Obasa’s impeachment two months ago.

“Considering the weight of the current onslaught against the governor, Sanwoolu may have pinned himself into the conner, if it’s acutally true that he worked against his benefactor, President Tinubu,’ an APC source told the magazine on Friday.

According to close sources in Aso Villa, the president was riled after he learnt that Sanwoolu, his ally had something to do with Abubakar and Obi because he had never thought that the governor who rode oh his wings to office could go behind to stab him in the back.

“The president was furious and felt betrayed when he was informed that this actually happened,” a top administration official directly briefed on the matter told The Gazette this week. “He has absorbed deceptive political tactics all his life, but he was uncharacteristically hurt by this one,” The Gazette reports.

The governor has yet to deny the allegation but Abubakar claimed that he had had no dealings with the governor, whom he has ‘never met”.

In a statement issued by Abubakar’s media aide on Thursday, Paul Ibe the former vice president said President Tinubu is after him and the governor, saying the aim is to destroy their reputations.

In the statement, titled “Halt This Tinubu’s Voyage of Misadventure and Campaign of Calumny Against Atiku Abubakar,” the former vice president noted that it’s unthinkable that he could be linked with Governor Sanwoolu who he had never had any dealings or met closely.

Abubakar said, “The Waziri of Adamawa does not know Governor Sanwo-Olu and has never met him before. The idea that Atiku, who has no connection with Sanwo-Olu, would be involved in a financial transaction with him during the 2023 election is baseless and illogical,

“Since the EFCC has been drawn into this controversy, we challenge the agency to disclose the outcome of its alleged investigation. The Nigerian public, including Atiku and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, deserve transparency. ”

From all indications, Governor Sanwoolu may be walking a very tightrope, as the days ahead will tell if he can successfully escape the trap set for him by his political enemies in the State of Excellence.

Tinubu After Me and Sanwoolu – Atiku Laments

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0
Atiku and Sanwoolu

The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has denied receiving funds from Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu for his electioneering campaign in 2023.

The former PDP candidate said it’s impossible for him to receive money from Sanwoolu whom he has never met.

Abubakar stressed that the allegations is a figment of the imagination of his critics and those of the governor who want to pull both of them down by ruining their well earned reputation.

The former Vice President rebuttal was contained in a statement issued by his media aide, Paul Ibe on Thursday, saying the allegation must be investigated to ascertain the truth of the matter.

The denial comes following the reports that Abubakar and Sanwoolu had a deal during the 2023 presidential election, to support him against incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the governor’s godfather and the political leader in the state.

The PDP presidential candidate was defeated in that election by Tinubu, the APC candidate.

According to the report, the allegation has now become a subject of investigation by the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Abubakar said the allegation undermines his integrity and should be investigated by the security agencies to find out the what actually transpired, adding that President Tinubu was out to destroy him and the governor.

The statement said, “The Waziri of Adamawa does not know Governor Sanwo-Olu and has never met him before. The idea that Atiku, who has no connection with Sanwo-Olu, would be involved in a financial transaction with him during the 2023 election is baseless and illogical,

“Since the EFCC has been drawn into this controversy, we challenge the agency to disclose the outcome of its alleged investigation. The Nigerian public, including Atiku and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, deserve transparency,”

The statement was, titled “Halt This Tinubu’s Voyage of Misadventure and Campaign of Calumny Against Atiku Abubakar.”

“I Kidnapped Murdered Rev. Fr. Because I Needed N200,000” – Housemate

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0
Henry Douglas and Rev Fr Sylvester Okechukwu

By Adesina Soyooye

Henry Douglas, the main suspect in the kidnap and murder of a Kaduna-based Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu, has disclosed why he arranged his kidnap.

Rev. Fr. Okechukwu of the Diocese of Kafanchan, Kaduna State, was abducted from his residence in Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area, at about 9.15pm on March 4, 2025. Sadly, on March 5, his mangled body was found along the road where it was dumped.

Unknown to the late Priest, it was his housemate – his – neighbour, Douglas, who arranged for his abduction.

The cat was let out of the bag when one of those who abducted him, Pate Yau,  was arrested by detectives of Operation Safe Heaven.

Yau confessed that he was  hired by Douglas for the heinous crime.

On arrest, Douglas confessed that he invited his colleagues in crime to kidnap the Priest because he needed the sum of N200,000 to take care of a problem. But he denied he asked them to kill him.

Speaking at the Headquarters of the Operation Safe Heavens, the suspect said: “Fr. Okechukwu is living in our house at Tachira and I masterminded his kidnap because I needed N200,000 to solve a personal problem.

He  narrated: “I invited some guys from other places to assist me to accomplish the mission but I didn’t ask them to kill him.

“I don’t know why they killed him. I was not with them because I later left them with the Priest.”

Yau, in his own confession said: “At first, I refused to be part of the deal, but Douglas insisted. He and I grew up in the same community.

“So, on the said date, I left my place in Warsa-Piti in Lere Local Government and participated in the kidnap of the Priest.

“He contacted other guys from Bokkos in Plateau who came with guns. After we took the Priest and walked  some distance, we left him with them.

“So, we can’t say how and why they killed the Priest.”

The Military is working round the clock to arrest the other members of the murderous gang.

“Humphrey Nwosu Went To His Grave Without Confessing His Atrocities, Deserves No Honour” – Oshiomhole

By
The Source
-
0
Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Humphrey Nwosu

By Gideon Njoku

“Oshiomhole lied. Nwosu acknowledged Abiola’s victory in an interview”

Senator Adams Oshiomhole shocked not a few people when he declared at Senate plenary Thursday that Professor Humphrey Nwosu,  former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission, NEC, cannot be honored because does not deserve it. The shock was not that the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who was kicked out of that office by former President Muhammadu Buhari stood against it, but the reason why not.

Oshiomhole spoke during his contribution at Plenary as to whether Professor  Nwosu should be honored or not.

Nwosu was the NEC Chairman who was in charge of the June 12 1993 Presidential Election which was won by Chief Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, but which was annulled by the Military Regime under General Ibrahim Babangida.

The result was never made public,  and even though it was common knowledge that Abiola won the election free, fair and square, it remained in the realm of speculation until 32 years later, on February 28, 2025, when Babangida, at the launch of his Autobiography,     “Journey In Service”, confirmed that, indeed, Abiola won the election.

Sadly, Abiola died in Military custody while fighting for his mandate.

For conducting that free election, and for the trauma he went through in the hands of the Military, not a few people felt Nwosu, who recently passed on, needed to be honored. Which was why some Senators, especially, from Nwosu’s South-east Zone,  canvassed for that at the Senate.

However, arguing vigorously why Nwosu deserved no such honour, Oshiomhole submitted that Nwosu and Babangida committed atrocities by fooling the 18m Nigerians who voted in 1993.

Granted, Oshiomhole argued, that Nwosu was afraid to confirm Abiola’s victory then, the Professor, he said,  had all the time, since these many years, to speak up before he passed on. Instead, said Oshiomhole, he went to the grave without “Confessing to his atrocities.”

Oshiomhole: “Prof Nwosu and IBB fooled 18 million Nigerians who voted. Therefore, if he was afraid of the gun because we were under a dictatorship, some people might say but there were Nigerians who were protesting under the gun without minding the consequences.

“After the end of Babangida’s tenure, the death of Abiola, the birth of the new democracy that produced President Obasanjo, since then, I would have expected Nwosu to be able to say, either on his birthday or any occasion: ‘now that we are about democracy and there is freedom of speech, even the freedom to lie, here is the result’.

“I would have expected Nwosu to say: ‘I couldn’t display these numbers now in my record; Abiola won the election, but I’m not able to announce it.’

“He died without confessing, and he cannot be rewarded.”

But a number of people have pointed out that Oshiomhole either did not read Nwosu’s interview granted to SaharaReporters, or he deliberately ignored it.

A couple of weeks after he passed on, the interview Nwosu granted to the Online Medium resurfaced again. In the interview he said categorically that Abiola won free, fair and square. He also narrated the trauma he went through while trying to convince both IBB and late Head of State, General Sani Abacha to allow him announce the result, or invite Abiola and reach a compromise with him. He was threatened by Abacha for daring to even say a word.

Following, full text of Nwosu’s interview:

“I was summoned. At the level of the National Defence and Security of Defence Council, Babangida and Abacha were prominent. They summoned me.

“I said that the Committee headed by Abacha should find a solution and I said how do we find a solution.

“I said that we should be permitted to conclude what we started. A Committee was set up.

“I am counting names. Abacha was there, Nyako Murtala, Gen. Aliyu Gusau was in it. David Mark, Minister of Communication, I was in it as Secretary. Prof Dele, National Commissioner representing Rivers State was also there.

“We met in Abacha’s Guest House in Abuja.

“He then set up another Sub-Committee which included myself, Akpamgbo, who is late now and Akilu, Secretary of the Commission and one Adviser on Law.

“When we got to that Sub Committee meeting, I said gentlemen, there is no cause to meet. The Law is clear. Election has been conducted. Results have been released. The only one remaining is that of Taraba. Please allow us conclude. We are a technical body.

“In any case, of you don’t want us to release the result, call Abiola and Tofa or negotiate with Abiola, that is the winner.

“Well, you know the military. They said since I was the Chairman I should make the report. When we got back to Abacha’s Guest House, and I reported that ‘Well Sir, the law that allows us conduct this election does not make provision for this sub committee. You should allow us announce the result and that of Taraba by declaring the winner, or you call Abiola and negotiate with him.

“The next thing Abacha said was: Who are you to tell us what to do? Are you a member of the National Defence and Security Council? You are not.’

“The Council and the Court said that you should not conduct election, that it is illegal, but you conducted.

“You will recall that during Abacha’s regime, his Minister for Information regarded our election as illegal. He (Abacha) said we will go to Aso Rock where all of us will take a decision. Call all your National Commissioners.

“You know that time It was a military regime, because many people did not know what was happening.

“I was told to call my Secretary and invite all the National Commissioners to come to Aso Rock.

“The Minister of Communications used Mobile phone to get across to them. That time Mobil was working.

“Andrew Mana, I am mentioning names, told all the Commissioners that they are needed in Aso Rock.

“We went there it was a full meeting. It was around 18th June that year (1993).

“When we got there, Babangida said NEC, National Electoral Commission what is your position on this election? I answered as the boss that ‘Sir, allow us two minutes to discuss, we the NEC members, so that it won’t be Humphrey Nwosu’s decision but that of the National Electoral Commissioners.

“Babangida said okay. So, we went to one of the rooms, and I said gentlemen, we are not politicians and we don’t dive into politics. They should allow us conclude.”

Sadly, the Senate shot down any honour for Professor Humphrey Nwosu.

The Professor will be buried on 28th March, 2025. An honor would have been a befitting farewell to him.

Kaduna State To  Recruit 1,800 Health Workers

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
-
0
Medical Doctors in Nigeria

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kaduna State  Government, on Thursday  March 27,2025, said it is set to engage the services of no fewer than 1 ,800 health personnel in the days ahead.

The recruitment drive is to bridge the gap between health workers and existing Primary healthcare facilities across the State.

A statement from the State Commissioner for Health, Umma Ahmad, also noted that the exercise is to maintain the pre-eminent position of Kaduna State in primary healthcare delivery.

“It addresses human resources shortages in various facilities, which is crucial for improving healthcare, delivery.

This move is expected to help reduce maternal and child mortality rates while enhancing the overall health of residents”, Mrs Ahmed stated.

To further improve the quality of healthcare delivery, the Commissioner informed  that efforts are ongoing to renovate over 255 primary health facilities across the State.

The renovation, she said, will be followed with the provision of modern equipment, essential drugs, and other medical items.

The 255 Primary Healthcare Centres will be upgraded to level 2 status as part of Governor Uba Sani’s overhaul of the sector, she noted.

According to her, the upgraded primary healthcare centres will provide such services as the management of uncomplicated  diabetes, hypertension, severe asthma resuscitation, assisted delivery and other essential services.

1...689690691...2,965Page 690 of 2,965