Landmark

The First Class Emirates of Bichi, have applauded the judiciary and security agencies for their steadfast commitment to upholding the constitution and the rule of law amid the ongoing emirship tussle in Kano State.  Recall that the the Kano House of Assembly repealed the law which ex-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje used to dethrone Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi as Emir of Kano in 2020. After signing the repealed law, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf announced the sack of five emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, Karaye and Kano. The Bichi Emirate Stakeholders, in a statement issued to journalists on Sunday, said they appreciate the judiciary for their courageous interpretation of the constitution, which has ensured that the principles of democracy and separation of powers are respected in  Kano State.  The statement was signed by Malam Bello Salisu, Alhaji Uba Kunchi, Alhahi Sule Mu'azu Kunchi, Malam Muhammad Garba Yusuf, Alhaji Mudassir Ado Kunchi,  Alhaji Tukur Sani Kwa, Malam Kabiru Muhamma...

Kano State House of Assembly Members from the All Progressives Congress (APC) have rejected the abolition of the five Emirates in the state by Governor Abba Yusuf. The APC Assembly Members urged Yusuf to respect the separation of powers in the state and stop abusing his powers as executive Governor. This was contained in a statement signed by their leader, Ayuba Labaran Durun, and made available to the press in Kano on Saturday. Durun explained that their constituents have mandated them to reject the abolition of the five Emirates in Kano State. The lawmakers commended the judiciary and security agencies for upholding the rule of law and ensuring peace returns to the state. They also lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to the separation of powers and the role he played in maintaining peace in Kano State and the country at large. The APC Assembly Members noted that democracy only thrives when all three arms of government work hand in hand and respect one another. The s...

The Advocates of Social Justice for All (ASJA) has condemned Governor Abba Yusuf’s decision to dissolve the Kano Emirate and subsequent reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano despite a court order. The group also criticised the governor for issuing an arrest warrant for the deposed Emir Ado Bayero as executive overreach, an assault on Kano’s cultural heritage and a call to anarchy. In a statement signed by Dr Abu Musa, the group described the governor’s actions as a clear abuse of power, a violation of the rule of law, and a threat to the stability and peace of Kano State and Nigeria. “In a shocking display of executive overreach, Governor Abba Yusuf has taken the extraordinary step of dissolving the Kano Emirate, reinstating Emir Sanusi despite a valid court order, and issuing an arrest warrant for the deposed Emir Ado Bayero. This brazen move is a clear attempt to subvert the rule of law, silence opposition voices, and impose the Governor's will through executive f...

A viral video has confirmed the defection of the former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, his deputy, Dumle Maol and others from the People’s Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. According to a letter signed by Maol and read by Amaewhule, their “defection was necessitated by the division in the PDP, particularly, the tussle around who the National Secretary of the party is”. Although, there was no information on the date the letter was written, it appears to be in December 2023 when the lawmakers publicly defected to the APC. Amaewhule had stated that their action was in line with Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which allows serving legislators to defect if there is a division in the party upon which they hold the House of Assembly. However, a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the state capital, has since granted an interim injunction restraining Amaewhule and others from parading themselves as legi...

The Oduduwa Solidarity Network (OSN) has slammed the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and his allies for undermining President Bola Tinubu by violating the Rivers State Peace Accord. The group said the actions and utterances by Wike and his supporters are unacceptable and undermine the dignity of the office of the President. In December 2023, Governor Siminalayi Fubara signed an agreement with his predecessor, Wike, to end the political crisis in Rivers state. An eight-point peace deal was brokered by President Tinubu and other stakeholders at a crucial meeting in the Presidential Villa, Abuja. But in a statement signed by Otunba Gbenga Aremu, the group said Wike has chosen to brazenly violate the terms of the agreement, perpetuating a culture of violence, intimidation, and division. Aremu noted that Governor Fubara, meanwhile, has adhered to all aspects of the deal, including withdrawing all court cases. “The Oduduwa Solidarity Network is utterly dismayed and disappointed by the flagrant dis...

By Paul Thomas  As I stepped into Rivers State, I was bracing myself for accounts of a prolonged and bitter conflict, perpetuated largely through social media and fueled by a dominant narrative that has come to define the state in recent times - one of incessant strife and unyielding hostility. Expecting to witness chaos and turmoil, I was prepared to encounter a state mired in political squabbles and clashes, as sensationalized by the headlines. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find a vastly different reality. Instead of the anticipated disorder, I was met with a transformative landscape that told a more comprehensive and optimistic story, one that is frequently obscured by the din of political theatrics. Under the visionary stewardship of Governor Sim Fubara, Rivers State is undergoing a remarkable renaissance. In a mere 10 months, Fubara has spearheaded numerous projects, effecting a radical overhaul of the state's infrastructure and ushering in an era of peace and securit...

By Paul Dickson As the esteemed Warren Bennis so eloquently articulated, "Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality," a sentiment that finds profound resonance in the transformative narrative of Niger State, a region that once shone brightly as a paragon of progress and development, only to succumb to the ravages of neglect and decay over the course of three decades. Nevertheless, with the ascendance of Governor Umar Bago's administration, the state has embarked upon a truly remarkable journey of redemption, one characterized by a visionary leadership that has steadfastly committed to revitalizing the state's infrastructure, catalyzing economic growth, and enhancing the overall quality of life for its citizens. Through a plethora of innovative projects and initiatives, Governor Bago has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to translating his vision for a resurgent Niger State into tangible reality, thereby embodying the very essence of leadership as...