Ex-governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has alleged that his successor, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje dethroned Muhammad Sanusi II as emir of Kano due to inferiority complex.
He said the former monarch’s profile made Ganduje jittery, prompting the move to dethrone him.
“We know that Ganduje always feels diminished and inferior in the presence of the Emir, and we know that Gov Ganduje harbours a pathological hatred for the Kano Traditional Institution, that was why he had to dethroned him,” Kwankwaso said in a statement on Tuesday by his principal private secretary Muhammad Ali.
“We also know that Ganduje was madly obsessed with reversing everything that Sen. Kwankwaso did in the state. And we are aware, for these reasons, Gov. Ganduje was set, ab initio, to destroy the Kano Emirate. And Emir Sanusi II was marked to be the first victim.“
“Let me also put on record that Emir Sanusi II was abducted and illegally dethroned by Gov. Ganduje and his cohorts because of the Emir’s progressive ideas on various issues that affect the people of the state.”
Ganduje had boasted at a book presentation on former President Goodluck Jonathan that he dethroned the emir just as Mr Jonathan sacked him (Sanusi) from his role as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The presidency has alerted Nigerians about moves by those it described as ” disgruntled political elements” to launch smear campaign against President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement today, December 23, the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said that such disgruntled political elements have been shopping for pliant online media that will serve as accomplices in their nefarious act.
“The game plan is to launch orchestrated campaign of calumny in the days ahead, in which President Muhammadu Buhari would be portrayed as not being in charge of the country, a narrative already started from a procured offshore medium by the instigators.
“Money and other attractive inducements are being dangled before the online media, and some of them are already complicit, cooking up stories with jejune and unsubstantiated allegations, all to sow seeds of discord and discontent in the country.”
Femi Adesina advised Nigerians to be wary and discerning in what they consume as news and special reports from such online media, as they are in cahoots with agents of destabilization, seeking ultimate political gains.
He swore that President Buhari is ever focused and single-minded in his determination to serve the country to the best of his ability, bringing change to different facets of the national life.
“This is already evident in infrastructure as seen in roads, rail, bridges, airports, and many other strides round the country. Agriculture is another worthy testimonial.
“The fight against corruption, insecurity, and retooling of the economy also proceed apace, and the Buhari Administration will not be distracted, and will continue to serve with heart and might, irrespective of all shenanigans.”
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, Abuja, has closed bars, night clubs, pubs, events and recreational venues for the next five weeks to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
All informal and formal festivity events, including weddings, conferences, congresses, office parties, concerts, seminars, sporting activities, end of year events among others have been restricted to not more than 50 persons.
An emergency meeting today, December 23, chaired by FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello to contain the spread of the second wave of the pandemic ratified the guidelines.
The meeting ratified that all restaurants, except those providing services to hotel residents; takeaways, home deliveries and drive-ins should remain closed.
Also public transportation systems are to carry passengers not more than 50 per cent of their capacity in compliance with social distancing rules while facilities for religious events are restricted to less than 50 per cent of capacity of use during which physical distancing, mandatory use of face masks and hand hygiene are to be strictly enforced.
The meeting resolved that all employees of the FCTA and the six Area Councils of the FCT on GL 12 and below are to work from home for the next five weeks while the heads of the various Secretariats, Departments and Agencies are to be responsible for compliance. All schools in the FCT are to remain on vacation until at least January 18, 2021.
The minister warned that enforcement teams have been mandated to carry out the arrest of violators and prosecute them through the mobile courts system.
The emergency meeting ascribed the surge in coronavirus infections to the lack of compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions by residents especially facial coverings in public, physical distancing and hand hygiene.
The meeting called on the Abuja Market Management Limited and the various market associations to ensure compliance of all the guidelines on facial coverings, hand hygiene and physical distancing.
It said that the administration would not hesitate to close down any market or business premises found in contravention of these guidelines.
The FCT is regarded as one of the epicenters in this second wave.
President Muhammadu Buhari has stressed the need for speedy and strategical access and administering of coronavirus vaccine as the second wave resurfaced in Nigeria.
The vaccine, he said, should be administered in a safe, effective and timely manner.
“This is an important obligation that we owe Nigerians as we go into year 2021 and it must be carried out through an efficient machinery.”
President Buhari, who spoke today, December 23 while receiving the End-of-Year Report of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Coronavirus, said: “recent reports reaching me indicate that Nigeria is now facing a rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide which is similar to the second wave of infections occurring in other countries across the world.
“New epicentres have been identified and the nation cannot afford to lose the gains of the last nine months. I have critically evaluated the situation and remain convinced that urgent measures have to be taken to halt the spread and the attendant fatalities.
“Closely associated with the foregoing is the need to speedily and strategically access and administer the COVID vaccine in a safe, effective and timely manner. This is an important obligation that we owe Nigerians as we go into year 2021 and it must be carried out through an efficient machinery.”
According to the President, who extended the mandate of the PTF on COVID-19 for a further period till the end of March, 2021, the nation is clearly in a perilous situation, given the virulent nature of this second wave and we must act decisively to protect our people.
“I therefore urge all sub-national entities, traditional rulers, religious and leaders of thought to collaborate with the PTF by taking up the responsibility for risk communication and community engagement at all levels. Now is the time for collective efforts to be intensified.
“As the festive season approaches, I urge all Nigerians to remain vigilant and stay safe. Non-essential trips and large social gatherings should be avoided or shelved completely.”
The full-text of President Buhari’s address containing other measures and issues is reproduced here:
The year 2020 has been most challenging for the whole of humanity as a result of the havoc wreaked by the COVID-19 on lives, livelihoods, global and national economies, governance structures, health, social welfare and other systems.
It has consumed an inordinate amount of resources deployed to address it by countries of the world, without abating.
Sadly, the COVID 19 pandemic has also taken and keeps taking, precious lives of our loved ones, leaving several homes, families and associates to mourn. May the Almighty God grant all those that have lost their lives to this deadly virus eternal rest.
Over the last nine months, I received a total of eight Interim Reports along with one Mid-Term Report, apprising me progressively of developments on the COVID-19 pandemic, from the Presidential Task Force.
I similarly approved several far-reaching measures recommended to support the achievement of the objectives of our National Response. I have been in constant touch about the pandemic in all corners of our country.
Let me also add that I have religiously followed the daily national briefings by the PTF which has become the platform for communicating with Nigerians and the most authentic source of information which substantially reduced the space for fake news.
The successes recorded by the PTF in managing the control of the pandemic since March 2020 are largely attributable to the multi-sectoral approach adopted by the government, the proactive steps taken and the commitment of its members.
I wish to acknowledge the immeasurable support received from the National Assembly, state governments, the private sector coalition, the international community, development partners, well-meaning Nigerians who donated in cash and kind and also made sacrifices, the media organisations, security agencies and the frontline workers who toiled day and night as our last line of defence. The list is endless. Our gratitude is endless
On behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, I thank you one and all for your support and contributions to this National Response to a global emergency.
The impact of the COVID-19 on global and national economies cannot even now be fully assessed. No nation of the world has been spared the experience of different degrees of economic downturn as several countries including Nigeria went into negative growth territories.
To mitigate this impact, we developed an Economic Sustainability Plan aimed at cushioning the impact at all levels and stabilizing our economy.
Family businesses, small, and medium scale enterprises and the manufacturing sector were all supported through various windows.
Appropriate support has also been provided through the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Program, as well as the Trader and Market Moni loans. For the very vulnerable, significant steps taken include:
a. Expansion of the National Social Register to 3.6 million beneficiaries across thirty six States,;
b. Support provided to 8, 827,129 households through the 70,000MT food grains released from the Strategic Reserve; and
c. Support to 1,289,405 vulnerable households that benefitted from the Conditional Cash Transfers across 34 States.
The pandemic also revealed the vulnerabilities in our health system which compelled our determination to ensure that its support is given top priority in terms of infrastructure, human and institutional capacities, legislative support, etc.
It must be emphasized that this administration recognizes that an effective and efficient health sector represents a significant component of our security and economic growth strategy.
It is in this regard that I am pleased to note the legacy improvements made in the health sector in the areas of laboratory infrastructure, treatment centres, training of health care personnel, improvement in surveillance and Port Health capacities, etc.
I must again single out and thank those private entrepreneurs who sourced and installed impressive healthcare facilities in some strategic places as their contribution to this National Emergency.
There is still more work to be done in the health sector to help us cater for our citizens and minimize the drain on our foreign exchange and trained manpower through medical tourism. For Nigeria to enjoy a lasting legacy from the huge investment in the health sector, a comprehensive Health Sector Reform that will achieve the following amongst others, must be instituted. The objectives include to:
a. Build the human and institutional capacity to provide a world class 21st century health care system, capable of responding effectively to future pandemics;
b. Develop a viable strategy for our primary and tertiary healthcare system;
c. Re-align institutional mandates and functions within the health sector for effectiveness and efficiency;
d. Distinguish policy and coordination from implementation responsibilities; and
e. Strengthen the statutory and regulatory capacities within the health sector
Recent reports reaching me indicate that Nigeria is now facing a rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide which is similar to the second wave of infections occurring in other countries across the world.
New epicentres have been identified and the nation cannot afford to lose the gains of the last nine months. I have critically evaluated the situation and remain convinced that urgent measures have to be taken to halt the spread and the attendant fatalities.
Closely associated with the foregoing is the need to speedily and strategically access and administer the COVID vaccine in a safe, effective and timely manner. This is an important obligation that we owe Nigerians as we go into year 2021 and it must be carried out through an efficient machinery.
Accordingly, I have authorised the following measures for implementation:
a. The extension of the mandate of the PTF for a further period till the end of March, 2021 bearing in mind the new surge in the number of cases and the bid for vaccines;
b. That the PTF should coordinate the process for planning and the strategy for accessing, delivery and administration of the vaccines using the existing health structures that have worked in the past in vaccine administration;
c. Authorised the PTF to engage with the States for them to assume full ownership of this stage of the response by deploying legal structures and resources, including enforcement to manage the pandemic within their jurisdictions. Details of the advisory measures have already been announced; and
d. Authorised the PTF and the Nigeria Immigration Service to ensure that all in-bound passengers who failed to show up for post -arrival COVID-19 test are sanctioned within the ambit of the law, for breaching the public health protocols.
The nation is clearly in a perilous situation given the virulent nature of this second wave and we must act decisively to protect our people. I therefore urge all sub-national entities, traditional rulers, religious and leaders of thought to collaborate with the PTF by taking up the responsibility for risk communication and community engagement at all levels. Now is the time for collective efforts to be intensified.
As the festive season approaches, I urge all Nigerians to remain vigilant and stay safe. Non-essential trips and large social gatherings should be avoided or shelved completely.
I thank you all for your commitment and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has suspended its nine-month long nation-wide strike.
The union announced the suspension of the industrial action at a press conference held today, December 23 in Abuja.
ASUU President, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, who led other National Executive Committee of the union to the event where he made the announcement, explained that the suspension takes effect from today, Wednesday 23.
The decision to suspend the action, according to Ogunyemi, followed the resolution to that effect by NEC at its meeting held earlier.
The Abuja division of the Federal High Court has ordered the All Progressive Congress (APC) to open its case against Edo State Governor. Godwin Obaseki in the alleged certificate forgery suit.
This was after the court had refused to stay proceedings in the suit as requested by the Governor.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in his ruling, said that the court will comply with the order of the Court of Appeal directing the court to continue with the trial on day to day basis.
The judge said that his court must obey the hierarchy of courts in line with the provisions of the law.
He held that given the order of the Court of Appeal and the nature of the case, the Christmas vacation is not enough ground to stay proceedings.
Accordingly, the court directed the plaintiff to open and close his case within two days beginning from Thursday, December 24 to Tuesday, December 29.
It equally gave the defendants two days to open and conclude their defence effective from Wednesday 30 to Thursday 31 of December 2020.
Earlier, counsel to the plaintiff, Chief Akin Olujimi, SAN, had informed the court about the ruling of the Court of Appeal on December 16, 2020, directing the trial court to proceed with the trial after dismissing the application for stay of execution brought by the governor, Godwin Obaseki.
He urged the court to proceed with the trial in compliance with the ruling of the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal.
But in opposition, counsel to the governor Obaseki, Ken Mozia, SAN, urged the court not to proceed with the trial as his client has entered an appeal at the Supreme Court against the decision of the Court of Appeal, including an application to stay further proceedings on the matter.
He urged the court in the circumstances, to tarry a while and await the decision of the Supreme Court on the appeal.
‘My lord, the first defendant not satisfied with the decision of the Court of Appeal, has filed an appeal against the ruling and the consequential orders to the Supreme Court, which is the final court,’ he said.
‘The notice of appeal has been duly served on the parties in this case. Also, the record of appeal from the Court of Appeal has been duly transmitted to the Supreme Court, where it has been entered as appeal No: SC/C6/989/2020, and copies of the notice of appeal, the application for stay and other reliefs earlier mentioned are all exhibited in an affidavit deposed to by Abraham Olajide.
‘Also exhibited are the enrolled orders to appeals nos: CA/B/128/2020 and CA/B/128a/2020, the Court of Appeal Benin after delivering judgment directed the state High Court to continue with proceedings in suit No. FHC/B/CS/48/2020, between Kenneth Asekomeh and Another V All Progressive Congress (APC), and 3 others, where despite that order, the counsel to the defendant still filed an appeal at the Supreme Court and followed it up to the Federal High Court with an application for stay of proceedings and insisted that the Federal High Court await the determination of the appeal at the Supreme Court.
‘The Federal High Court acceded to that request, they cannot honestly ask this court to proceed having posited that the Federal High Court must wait, they have a duty to continue to maintain that position to say that the Federal High Court is obliged to await the determination of the appeal before the Supreme Court.’
He argued that once a party has taken steps to contest a decision of Court of Appeal by way of a further appeal to the Supreme Court and follows it up with an application for stay of proceedings, the judgment of the Court of Appeal will not be treated as final until the steps taken are completely resolved.
The second leg of his argument was predicated on the fact that the trial cannot be conducted during the Christmas vacation as contained in a circular issued by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
The said circular dated December 18, titled, “Notification of Federal High Court Christmas Vacation for 2020”, stipulated that only matters bordering on national interest, human rights-related issues and release of vessels shall be entertained during the vacation which begins on Tuesday, December 22 and ends on Friday, January 8, 2021.
The lawyer noted that by the said notification, the vacation Judge for the Abuja division of the Federal High Court is Justice Evelyn Maha.
‘Today, being within the period declared for Christmas vacation and this case not being one of the cases listed as those that can be entertained by vacation Judge, including the fact that your lordship is not a vacation judge, the court cannot exercise any jurisdiction on the matter.’
He argued that whether the matter is urgent or not is determinable by the facts contained in affidavit evidence led before the court adding that nothing short of that will suffice.
‘There is manifest non compliance in this case such that the court is not even in a position to contemplate whether this case is urgent or not by law.’
Mozia informed that the defence team has withheld their consent for any proceedings to be done during the Christmas vacation period.
The counsel to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Isilalomhe Razak, aligned himself with the argument canvassed by counsel to Obaseki in urging the court to suspend proceedings and await the outcome of the appeal before the Supreme Court.
But responding, the counsel to the plaintiff, Olujimi, urged the court to discountenance the submissions of the defence team and proceed with the trial in compliance with the ruling and directive of the Court of Appeal.
While noting that the matter is time-bound, Olujimi argued that section 285 (a) of the 1999 Constitution (4th Alteration Act) is a compelling provision that proceedings at the trial court should not be stayed based on preliminary and interlocutory issues.
‘The compelling provisions of section 285 (a) is to the effect that where a preliminary or interlocutory issue is raised, the court shall suspend it’s ruling and deliver it at the stage of final judgment.
‘Secondly, the first and second defendants failed to appreciate that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court has since July 24, 2020, settled the issue of hearing of all categories of pre-election matters in the Practice Direction number two issued by the Chief Judge.
‘What the Chief Judge issued in July was a Practice Direction which is legislation issued by him to regulate pre- election trials.’
He submitted that the said Practice Direction mandates a Judge to hear a pre-election matter pending before his court until judgment is delivered.
‘The Chief Judge did not say the practise direction applies only to annual vacation but includes all manner of vacation in general. A circular is not a rule of court. It is not legislation or law unlike the practice direction,’ Olujimi argued.
He argued further that paragraph two of the practice direction stated that nothing in the Federal High Court shall prevent the hearing of a pre-election matter to judgment.
He submitted that the position of the law, as settled by the Supreme Court is that where time is of the essence in a case before the court, there shall be no stay of proceedings pending appeal.
‘What the defendants are asking the court to do is to go against the directive of the Court of Appeal, which has not been set aside. I urged the court to decline such an invitation.’
The APC, in the suit marked FHC/B/CS/74/2020, prayed the court for an order disqualifying Obaseki from contesting the September 19 governorship election in Edo State on the grounds that he supplied false information on oath to INEC, an act said to be contrary to Section 31(5) and (6) of the Electoral Act, 2010.
The party accused the governor of forging his university certificate presented to INEC in aid of his qualification for the governorship election in Edo State.
The APC also claimed that there are discrepancies in the subject Obaseki claimed he passed in his West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exam.
The governor won the September 19 governorship election in Edo State to secure a second term in office.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has alerted Nigerians about plans by “enemies of state” to unleash terror on vulnerable places, including critical infrastructure, places of worship as well as recreational centres during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
It said that the plot would be executed through the use of explosives, suicide bombing and other dangerous weapons.
The DSS spokesperson, Dr. Peter Afunanya, in a statement today, December 22, however, assured that the security forces had taken measures to thwart the plot, which according to him, was meant to undermine the authority of the government.
He advised patriotic members of the public to remain vigilant during and after the yuletide.
“The Department of State Services wishes to inform the public about plans by some criminal elements to carry out violent attacks on public places including key and vulnerable points during the yuletide seasons.
“The planned dastardly acts are to be executed through the use of explosives, suicide bombing and other dangerous weapons.
“The objective is to create a general sense of fear among the people and subsequently undermine the government.
“Against this backdrop, the service called on Nigerians to be extra vigilant and report strange movements to security and law enforcement agencies.
“On its part, the Service is collaborating with other sister agencies to ensure that adequate measures are put in place for protection of lives and property.”
The Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, David Umahi has made it clear that the Southeast leaders have no hand in the formation of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
This was even as the IPOB insisted that the ESN has come to stay because it is a child of necessity, with Governor Umahi describing such security network as very laughable and should be ignored.
In a statement, the IPOB accused the governors of being against the wish of the masses, describing their disapproval of the outfit as very shameful.
The group claimed that the governors, by their statement against ESN, are only exposing their emptiness and detachment from the people.
The statement read: “At a time when well-meaning individuals and groups from entire Southern Nigeria and Middle Belt are hailing the setting up of ESN, the so-called governors are busy advertising their opposition to the people they claim to be leading. Anyway, they never had the mandate of the people. So, we are not surprised.
“Our message to the treacherous South-East governors and their South-South counterparts is that ‘the train has since left the station’ and can’t reverse its course. It’s pretty too late to have a rethink. The people have got what they long desired which the cowardly governors failed to give them because of selfish political interest.
“May we remind the traitors that the Eastern region cannot be sacrificed on the altar of their political interest. It’s either they key in or shape out! The East can exist without them. They should steer clear because they can’t withstand the force behind ESN.”
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has said that Nigeria is taking its time before banning flights from the United Kingdom which has just witnessed the new version of coronavirus, called mutated COVID 19 strain.
LaiMohammed, who spoke today, December 22 in a Radio Nigeria programme, “Politics Nationwide,” said that Nigerian government would require the concurrence of neighbouring countries for the ban to be effective.
According to him, the government is concerned over the importation of the new COVID-19 strain, saying however that it did not want to take a hasty decision on the matter.
He said that the Presidential Committee on COVID-19 deliberated on the issue at its meeting yesterday, December 21 and decided to watch the development for the time being.
The minister said that the federal government is working with Benin Republic, Togo, and Ghana on the issue.
“We did not want to take a hasty decision to ban flight from the UK into Nigeria only to find out our people are going through Cotonou, Lome or Accra to come into the country.
“What the airlines will do is to transfer Nigerian passengers to these routes and they will enter the country through the land borders.
“This will lead to hardship for Nigerians because if you transfer your economy to other countries you lose a lot of money
“However, if we get the concurrence of these other countries, we will not hesitate to do the needful.
“We are consulting and being very careful in order to take a proper decision.”
Several countries, including Germany and South Africa had on Tuesday banned flights from UK over the new COVID-19 strain.
However, the European Commission has recommended that travel bans imposed by EU countries on the UK to contain a new COVID-19 strain should end, to allow freight and essential travel to resume and for people to return home.
Nigerian army has faulted the Borno state Governor’s accusation of extortion against military personnel at check-points in the state.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters Abuja, Major Generally John Enenche, in a statement, said that the Armed Forces have internal mechanisms that checkmates and sanctions erring personnel.
“The attention of the Nigerian Military has been drawn to the media/air accusation by the Executive Governor of Borno State, that Nigerian Army personnel deployed at checkpoints in Operation Lafiya Dole collects money from commuters.
“While the Nigerian Military is in no way joining issues with the Governor, it is necessary to clarify this generalised statement against the troops who without hesitation lay down their lives for all Nigerians.
“It is worthy of note that the Armed Forces of Nigeria have internal mechanisms to checkmate and sanction appropriately its erring personnel.
“Additionally, reported cases from the public in this regard are investigated and given the desired attention.
“Thus, it will not be correct to rely on media or open-air accusation to tag our gallant Nigerian Army personnel as extortioners at checkpoints in Borno State.”
The Defence Spokesperson said that all personnel of the Armed Forces are patriotic and focused on their call of duty.
He restated the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies to tackling and ending the insurgency and terrorism in the Northeast.
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Ex-governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has alleged that his successor, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje dethroned Muhammad Sanusi II as emir of Kano due to inferiority complex.
President Muhammadu Buhari has stressed the need for speedy and strategical access and administering of coronavirus vaccine as the second wave resurfaced in Nigeria.
The Abuja division of the Federal High Court has ordered the All Progressive Congress (APC) to open its case against Edo State Governor. Godwin Obaseki in the alleged certificate forgery suit.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has alerted Nigerians about plans by “enemies of state” to unleash terror on vulnerable places, including critical infrastructure, places of worship as well as recreational centres during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, David Umahi has made it clear that the Southeast leaders have no hand in the formation of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
