Kwankwaso sets tough conditions for possible APC defection

Former Kano State Governor and National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has indicated that any move toward the All Progressives Congress (APC) would depend on firm guarantees regarding political control in Kano and the protection of his supporters.

He made this known on Wednesday at his Miller Road home in Kano while receiving party leaders and loyalists from Rano and Dawakin Tofa Local Government Areas, as well as members of various Kwankwasiyya groups who used the visit to restate their allegiance to the NNPP.

“I didn’t say I won’t join APC, but we must first be clearly assured of the future of the Kano State government before we join the APC. What will be the fate of our lawmakers and other supporters before we agree to defect?” Kwankwaso said.

Reflecting on previous political alliances, the former governor warned against repeating past mistakes, recalling how his political bloc once helped to build a government but was later marginalized.

“In the past, we joined and contributed to forming the government, but later we were abandoned. That was why we left the party. Have they now changed their position toward us? Everyone knows the role we played at that time,” he added.

Kwankwaso emphasised that discussions about defection remain premature, insisting that no concrete commitments have been offered to safeguard the NNPP’s hold on power or its organizational framework in the state.

“Up till now, no one has given me a clear assurance that we will be allowed to retain our government and continue with our political structure. I need to know where I stand,” he said.

The gathering drew several senior government and party figures, including Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, Commissioner for Science and Technology Yusuf Kofar Mata, NNPP state chairman Hon. Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, and other prominent officials. All openly reaffirmed their loyalty to Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

Political watchers noted that the visible solidarity from top officials points to growing internal tensions and further underscores Kwankwaso’s strong grip on the party, especially amid rumors surrounding a possible defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the APC.

Analysts believe Kwankwaso’s measured position reflects a broader strategy to secure political structures and protect loyalists as preparations gradually shift toward the 2027 general elections.

Suspected notorious kidnapper linked to multiple kidnappings arrested by Police

The Police Command in Rivers on Wednesday, said it has arrested an alleged notorious kidnapper linked to multiple kidnapping incidents in the state.

The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt, stating that the suspect was arrested on Jan. 10.

She said that the suspect aged 30, was identified as the ringleader of a notorious kidnapping syndicate, that coordinated several abductions for ransom across the state.

According to her, the suspect who is responsible for multiple kidnappings along the Port Harcourt International Airport Road, Omagwa, was apprehended by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit.

“The suspect was planning to relocate his operational armoury and camp to Agbonchia/Oyigbo Road in Eleme Local Government Area before his arrest,” she said.

She said that the recovered items include an AK-47 rifle with breach number 2125 and two magazines loaded with 36 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm live ammunition.

The spokesperson said that during preliminary investigations, the suspect voluntarily confessed to being the ringleader of the kidnapping syndicate.

According to her, the suspect and exhibits are currently in police custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang. (NAN)

Govt suspend Doctors for leaving scissors in patient’s stomach after operation

The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has acknowledged that the death of Aishatu Umar, a five-time mother, resulted from professional lapses at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre, a government health facility in Kano.

According to a statement issued by the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Samira Suleiman, an internal probe initiated by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, revealed that medical staff failed to remove surgical scissors from the patient’s body after an operation, a mistake that proved fatal.

Following the findings, the Board ordered the suspension of three staff members connected to the procedure, barring them from all clinical responsibilities with immediate effect.

The case has also been handed over to the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee, which will conduct a more detailed inquiry and determine appropriate sanctions in accordance with existing regulations and ethical guidelines.

“The Board extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late Aishatu Umar and sympathizes with them over this painful loss. We reassure the public that negligence will not be condoned in any form,” the statement read.

Aishatu Umar reportedly died after complications arising from a surgery in which surgical scissors were allegedly left in her abdomen.

Her husband, Abubakar Muhammad, said she repeatedly complained of worsening health conditions after the operation, but her concerns were not adequately addressed before her death.

The tragedy has triggered widespread anger among Kano residents, drawing attention to systemic weaknesses in supervision and accountability within public hospitals.