Controversy as Ganduje, Senate Deputy President attend NNPP Senator’s family events in Kano

Prominent members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), such as National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, recently attended a prominent opposition senator’s private ceremonies in Kano, sparking political controversy and speculation.

Prior to the 2023 elections, Senator Kawu Sumaila, who is currently the representative for Kano South in the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), made news when he left the APC after a protracted leadership dispute inside the party.

His recent choice to invite APC members to his family gatherings has drawn criticism, with many speculating about the political ramifications.

On Friday, Jibrin, who led a delegation of federal lawmakers, confirmed their attendance at the wedding of Sumaila’s children, which took place in Sumaila town, Kano State on February 21.

The wedding united Dr. Khadija Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila with Faisal Abdulmanaf Sarina, and Maryam Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila with Bello Ibrahim Ma’aji, in a ceremony officiated by Professor Salisu Shehu, Imam of Sumaila Jumaat Mosque.

Jibrin’s statement also highlighted the attendance of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the APC National Chairman, who joined the festivities and offered blessings for the newlyweds.

“May Allah bless their union and give them patience, endurance, tolerance, and love. Congratulations to the newlyweds,” Jibrin added in his post.

The following day, both Jibrin and Ganduje were present at the first convocation of Al-Istiqama University, a private institution reportedly founded by Senator Sumaila in the Sumaila Local Government Area. This further fueled speculation about the growing relationship between the APC and the NNPP senator.

Within the NNPP, these moves have sparked unease, with many members expressing concern over Sumaila’s increasing openness to opposition figures. There are growing rumors that Sumaila may be contemplating a return to the APC, especially as he continues to distance himself from NNPP leader Rabiu Kwankwaso and Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano.

The senator’s tensions with the state government have been well documented, especially over the controversial reinstatement of the deposed Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, and the repeal of the 2019 State Emirate Council Law, which had consolidated power in five emirates.

The involvement of APC heavyweights at Sumaila’s events, including former Kano governor Ibrahim Shekarau of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has left many questioning the senator’s allegiance.

With his history of disagreements with the state government, particularly over the dissolution of emirates created under Ganduje’s administration, there’s increasing speculation that Sumaila may once again align with the APC.

Should Sumaila make the move back to the APC, he would join a growing list of opposition lawmakers defecting to the ruling party, further shifting the political dynamics in Kano.

The NNPP, which currently holds the title of Nigeria’s fourth-largest party in terms of parliamentary representation, has been struggling to maintain its influence in Kano—the only state it governs.

While NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso managed to secure a victory only in Kano, a potential shift in allegiance by Sumaila could mark a significant blow to the party’s already fragile standing.

“President Tinubu’s economic reforms making positive impacts”

The National Chairman of All=the Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has extolled the ongoing economic reforms being implemented by President Bola Tinubu, saying that they were already yielding positive results.

Ganduje made this statement during an empowerment programme’ organised by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, where 1,200 vehicles and motorcycles were distributed to party leaders on Sunday in Kano.

He lauded the administration’s commitment to restructuring Nigeria’s economy, saying that the reforms have brought about greater stability.

“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, we have witnessed substantial progress in revitalizing the economy.

“These efforts are already yielding results, including improved infrastructure, job creation, and growth across various sectors.

“The recent reduction in food prices, the drop in petrol costs, and the appreciation of the naira are all direct outcomes of these reforms,” he explained.

According to him, the president holds Kano in high regard, which was why he appointed them to key positions.

They included the National Chairman of the ruling party, Deputy Senate President, two Ministers, Director-General of the National Productivity Centre and the Chairman of the Federal Mortgage Bank, among others.

Ganduje commended Barau for his efforts in establishing the North-West Development Commission and expressed gratitude to the president as well.

The national chairman called on the people of the state to support the administration of Tinubu.

He also said that the distribution of vehicles and motorcycles was aimed at enhancing the socioeconomic well-being of the people, particularly party members.

The gesture, he said, was also expected to promote the party’s noble ideas.

Earlier, Jibrin said that the initiative was aimed at empowering the members of the APC to achieve the party’s set objectives.

He stated that the motorcycles would be distributed to all APC ward and local government Chairmen in the 44 LGAs in the state.

The deputy senate president also said that a special package for youths ,women, teachers, students and other stakeholders would soon commence.

He said that it was aimed at ensuring the public benefits from the dividends of democracy.

“We are also planning to empower university graduates who have not secured white-collar jobs.

“Three graduates will be selected from each local government and will receive a loan of five million Naira to start small businesses,” he added

Barau stated that Ganduje’s leadership style had significantly strengthened the party, positing that under his guidance, the party had achieved a remarkable progress.

He also commended the president for his reforms aimed at advancing the country.

Jibrin burged the party’s members to unite in support of the president’s efforts to move the nation forward.(NAN)

Fed Govt raises speed concerns on rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge

The Federal Government has expressed concern about excessive speed by motorists on the newly-rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State.

The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, expressed the concern in Lagos at a stakeholder engagement on the Phase One and Phase Two of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.

He spoke on rehabilitation efforts on key bridges in Lagos State, specifically Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge and Eko Bridge.

The minister urged motorists to avoid excessive speed on the bridge to discourage the government from considering installation of speed bumps.

Umahi said: ` We have to talk to our people. The speed there is terrible. If we put speed bumps, then, it is going to create heavy hold-up on the bridge.”

The minister said that the government had installed Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras on the bridge and under it, adding that they would soon be inaugurated.

He disclosed that officials would be on standby to monitor the footage and enforce speed regulations.

Umahi also said that the government had extended rehabilation of the bridge to Falomo, adding that streetlights and additional CCTV cameras had been installed at Falomo.

He disclosed that all activities on that stretch would be monitored remotely from Abuja.

“Let me also announce that we have also done extension of that bridge rehabilitation, a beautiful sight to behold from that Third Mainland Bridge down to Falomo. We have put street lights and we have also put CCTV cameras.

“Whatever you are doing on that stretch of Falomo to Third Mainland Bridge and the ramps, we are seeing you; it is on camera, and we are also rooting it down to Abuja.

“We will stay in our office and watch, like what we have done on the Second Niger Bridge,’’ Umahi said. (NAN)