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Tag: Ganduje

  • Covid-19: ‘Situation in Kano scary, Buhari-led govt has abandoned us,’ Ganduje finally opens up

    Covid-19: ‘Situation in Kano scary, Buhari-led govt has abandoned us,’ Ganduje finally opens up

    The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has accused the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 of neglecting the state in its current efforts against the coronavirus pandemic.

    Ganduje made the disclosure his displeasure in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Monday.

    He said, “We are in a serious problem. I can tell you the situation is really bad and scary. Because what we solely rely upon in fighting the disease is the testing centre.

    “There is also a shortage of sample collection equipment. It is not common equipment that you can go and buy in the market. Those whose samples were collected are still waiting to know their fate.

    “The problem (is) with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. Even its Director-General was in Kano. He spent a night here but we have not heard from him again. The Minister of Health is also aware that the laboratory is not functioning.

    “There is a serious problem. We have been complaining that Kano needs more than one testing centre, right from the beginning of this (pandemic).”

    When asked whether the state was not getting any support from Federal Government agencies in the fight against COVID-19, the governor said, “Sincerely speaking, we are not getting deserved attention. If these equipment (testing centres) are under our control, we will do our best to make sure it works properly. But we are not getting the needed support and co-operation from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.”

    According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control as of Sunday night, 77 of the 1273 total cases recorded in the country were reported in Kano.

    The state Health Ministry said there has not been any recovery yet, adding that there has only been one confirmed COVID-19 death in the state.

  • BREAKING: Ganduje relaxes lockdown despite alarming COVID-19 cases

    Despite the alarming cases of Covid-19 in Kano, the state government on Wednesday announced relaxation of the ongoing lockdown order from 6 am Thursday to 12 midnight Friday in order to allow people prepare adequately for the forthcoming Ramadan fast.

    While briefing on the lockdown and the coming Ramadan fast at the Government House on Wednesday, Dr Nasir Yusuf Gawuna who spoke on behalf of the Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said the relaxation of the lockdown became necessary so as to allow people to stockpile their houses with foodstuff for the forthcoming Ramadan.

    “In view of preparation for Ramadan period ,the state governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has relax the on going lockdown. Following this the state government has relaxed the on going lockdown, from 6am (Thursday) -12 mid night (Friday) to enable people buy necessary food stuff and items needed for Ramadan period which would commence on Friday,” the deputy governor explained.

    However ,the lock down will therefore continue from Friday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Kano State as at 11:58 pm Tuesday, 21st April has 73 confirmed cases and one death.

    More details later

     

  • Ganduje’s sacked commissioner, Mu’azu Magaji clears air on alleged celebration of Kyari’s death

    Ganduje’s sacked commissioner, Mu’azu Magaji clears air on alleged celebration of Kyari’s death

    Sacked Kano State Commissioner for Works, Mu’azu Magaji has opened up on his sack and denied that he celebrated the death of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.

    Magaji was sacked on Saturday by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje for celebrating the death of Abba Kyari.

    In several, now deleted, FaceBook posts, Magaji gloated over Kyari’s demise, describing it as freedom for Nigeria.

    “Win win… Nigeria is free and Abba Kyari has died in the epidemic… the death of a martyr… if he is a believer, the person is complete,” Magaji wrote.

    In a subsequent post, the commissioner said the office of the chief of staff to the President is too powerful and it should be broken into two.

    “For the good of Nigeria and Mr President… The CoS office should be split… A PPS (principal private secretary) and a humble manager of his office as CoS… It is currently too powerful for a non-elected official.”

    However, he issued a statement on Sunday on his Facebook page, saying he never celebrated the death of Abba Kyari.

    “Assalamualaikum, dear people of Kano and Nigeria at large, I want to sincerely clear up what a lot of people may have misunderstood and set the record straight. As a Muslim and a patriotic Nigerians, I was only misunderstood by people to think that I celebrated Kyari’s death, the truth is I did not.

    “Not only that, I made several posts mourning Kyari’s death on my same facebook account and through my special assistants but the general public couldn’t commend such or claim I did such post, rather tend to capitalize on a full-phrase post that is given another set of definition and direction as well as negativity in other to tarnish my reputable image as a member of H.E. Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje Administration and his loyalist and that of our National Party APC.

    “The use of “win win phrase” is basically an attempt to explain the Islamic Promise on the people that died as a result of any kind of pandemic. The late Mallam Abba Kyari was privileged to die as a result of Covid-19,making him among the beneficiaries in Islam. He is conferred with the automatic privilege of martyrdom.

    “Our Rasul S. A. W assured on the path of martyrdom in Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jihad wal-Siyar. Even Sheik Isah Ali Pantami has taken time to explain more of this..By this, the death of Mallam Abba Kyari is a big win for him, which is almost the dream of every Muslim,” he said.

    He added that “on the other hand, Nigeria equally has the opportunity to restructure the office of the Chief of Staff, where I called Mr President to ensure that we can utilize the pandemic challenges into more strengths, by disintegrating the power of the office for a rapid administrative flow, which over and above anything, our constitutional democracy is meant to achieve and function so often.

    “However, in an emotional reaction to my posting, agents around the office of the Chief of staff misunderstood my whole meaning, infuriated from the loss of their benefactor, as such petitioned my principal His Excellency Abdullahi Umar Ganduje the Governor of Kano State, they twisted the narrative with explanation completely out of context and lacing it with religious and cultural connotations that made it necessary for our Principal the Executive Governor to show leadership and solidarity with the dead by relieving me off my position in Kano State as his Commissioner of Works and Infrastructural.”

    Magaji said he was confident that the governor must make such a difficult decision as a conditional sacrifice to appease the aggrieved individuals who were aggrieved, especially from their loss and that he understood the difficulty of the circumstances, both from misunderstanding his post, to the Governor’s decision and in general the pains of people in Abuja.

    According to him, “Wholeheartedly, I want to use this opportunity to reiterate that as a devout Muslim, I could not have celebrated the death of any human being; because its against my culture, social civilization and most importantly the teaching of my religion.

    “I equally want to appeal to all people, especially those in Kano to give people the benefit of doubts by accepting their explanation on what they actually and truly mean by themselves. I sincerely apologised for any misunderstood action, reaction and inactions, we are all in a difficult times that anxiety, worries and depression makes understanding and misunderstanding becomes difficult.

    “I am so sorry for any pain I may have caused both the families of the late chief of staff and my boss His Excellency Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. I am forever loyal to my boss; the Governor of Kano State and indebted to all the people of Kano state.

    “I want to plentifully remain grateful to His Excellency for the opportunity he gave me to serve my state under his administration and I am pleased to leave not on account of fraud, insubordination, dishonesty, treachery, disloyalty, betrayal, act of incompetence or undermining the government or the people of Kano; but due to this unfortunate misunderstanding and miscommunication of my Facebook post.

    “I assure you that everyone will calmly understand my meaning by revisiting everything I’ve said. I am only humane, perfection is never part of our creation,” he said.

  • Gov. Ganduje, wife test negative to COVID-19

    Gov. Ganduje, wife test negative to COVID-19

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State and his wife, Hafsat Ganduje have tested negative to Coronavirus.
    Abba Anwar, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday in Kano.‎

    ‎“We thank Almighty Allah for this result which shows negative. That is how He (Allah) wishes. All those whose results are positive, we will continue praying for their quick recovery from the illness, irrespective of race, nationality, ethnicity, social status, political or religious affiliations‎

    “We also pray for Allah’s continued protection against COVID-19 in the state, the country and the world in as a whole.‎

    “While we pray for Divine intervention we must make sure that, we always listen to health professionals and work with professional advice,” the statement added.‎

    He urged members of the public to wash their hands under running water with soap or hand sanitisers, keep clean environment and practice social distancing.‎

    “Staying at home is safer, healthier and most appropriate. I also urge Nigerians to strictly abide by directives given by the Federal Government as another mechanism in containing the spread of the disease,” the statement explained.‎

    The governor reiterated government commitment to sustain proactive measures and collaboration with relevant organisations, agencies and stakeholders to prevent spread of COVID-19.

    “It is our responsibility to fight COVID-19 from all angle so as to have safer and healthier society.

    “We thank Almighty Allah that up to this time there is no reported case in Kano. May Allah save those from other states in the country and other affected nations of the world,” he prayed.

    Ganduje added that state government had adopted effective measures to monitor and enforce compliance with boundary closure, warning that defaulters would be prosecuted.

    The governor thanked the state Task Force Committee on COVID-19 and health workers for their unrelenting efforts against Coronavirus.

    “Our thanks also goes to the Fund Raising Committee, under the Chairmanship of Prof. Muhammad Yahuza Bello, and Co-chaired by Alhaji Tajuddeedn Dantata and all those who assisted the government.

    “Others are Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Alhaji Abdussamad Rabi’u, Lee Group of Companies, United Bank for Africa (UBA), among other respectful individuals and organisations,” it added.

  • Sanusi’s dethronement: ‘You’re most notorious public face of disorder’ Soyinka blasts Ganduje

    Sanusi’s dethronement: ‘You’re most notorious public face of disorder’ Soyinka blasts Ganduje

    Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has blasted Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje over his removal of the Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II, from the throne, describing the governor as the most notorious public face of disorder being propelled by the immunity he enjoys.

    Soyinka, while reacting to the dethronement of Sanusi in a statement on Thursday said confidence in immunity has catapulted Sanusi’s tormentor to the ranks of the most notorious public faces of the disorder that the deposed emir Sanusi strove to eradicate.

    The Nobel laureate said Sanusi was a one-man EFCC sanitizations squad in the banking system taking on the powerful corrupters of that institution.

    “Unblinking, he trod on the interests of powerful beneficiaries of a worm-infested sector and, in the process, created permanent enemies. By contrast, confidence in immunity has catapulted his tormentor to the ranks of the most notorious public faces of the disorder that Sanusi strove to eradicate. Obviously, vengeance lay in wait, and he was not unaware of it. The signs were omnipresent and Sanusi acknowledged their imminence.

    “I know this for a fact. Apart from exchanges some mutual associates – we held, not so long ago, a phone conversation during his visit to London, just after the shrinking of his domain signaled the commencement of a systematic attrition of his status. I assured him I would shortly fulfill my long-standing promise to pay him a visit. He sounded very much aware of the impending fall of the axe of vengefulness and power primitivism. I can testify that he remained totally unfazed,” he said.

    He added that “Most important of all, and most pertinently for the nation, Sanusi was one of the early warning voices against religious extremism whose bitter fruits the nation is currently reaping. Those who wish to understand how deeply he had anticipated and explored the potential consequences of this menace should refer to his novelette: The Adulteress’ Diary, a work that exposes and satirizes the hypocrisy of fundamentalist Islamic clericalism from the inside, that is, from the authoritative point of view of an Islamic scholar.

    “This work did not endear him to hard core fundamentalist purveyors of social division, but even those opponents would have been wise to pay heed to his exposition, and its implicit warning. Then perhaps even if Boko Haram still remained inevitable, the nation would have been much better prepared for its onslaught, and those of allied malignancies like ISWAP.”

    Soyinka said it was a pity that Ganduje lacked friends who could have saved him from himself, saying “Insofar as one can acknowledge certain valued elements in traditional institutions, the man he thinks he has humiliated has demonstrated that he is one of the greatest reformers even of the feudal order. That is beyond question, a position publicly manifested in both act and pronouncements.

    “By contrast, Ganduje’s conduct, apart from the innate travesty of justice in this recent move, is on a par with the repudiated colonial order, one that out-feudalized feudalism itself, and is synonymous with authoritarianism of the crudest temper. The record shows, in this particular instance, that it is one that embodies modernized cronyism and alienated pomp and power – never mind the cosmetic gestures such as almajiri reformation. It has proved one of the worst examples of a system that enables even the least deserving to exercise arbitrary, unmerited authority that beggars even the despotism of the most feudalistic traditional arrangements,” he said.

    “Why, I am not certain, but I do have the feeling that the palace gates of the Kano emirate are not yet definitively slammed against this Islamic scholar, royal scion and seasoned economist. It is just a feeling. Closed and bared, or merely shut however, the doors of enlightened society remain wide open to Muhammad Sanusi.

    “As for his current crowing Nemesis, a different kind of gates remain yawning to receive him when, as must, the days of governorship immunity finally come to an end. Those whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad. The list is long, there are comrades in impunity awaiting their day of reckoning. The files remain open, and the nation remains on the watch. The wheels of justice grind slowly, but sooner or later, they arrive,” he added.

  • Buhari ordered Ganduje to dethrone Sanusi – Kwankwaso

    Buhari ordered Ganduje to dethrone Sanusi – Kwankwaso

    Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State, on Wednesday alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the removal of Muhammadu Sanusi as Emir of Kano.

    Kwankwaso made the allegation while describing the removal of Sanusi as a sad incident to both Kano State and Nigeria in general.

    Speaking with BBC Hausa, the former governor who appointed Sanusi as the 14th Emir of Kano in 2014 said contrary to claims Buhari had intervened in the Kano emirate crisis.

    He said: “We believe here in Kano that Buhari interferes where he wishes.

    “Kano state government officials have been saying they were directed to dethrone Mr Sanusi ll. Buhari instructed them.”

    The former governor stated that Buhari “doesn’t interfere where his intervention is needed, but interferes on issues he is supposed to be neutral about.”

    Eulogizing the dethroned monarch, Kwankwaso said: “the emir (Sanusi) is a global citizen.”

    The Kano State Government had on Monday dethroned Sanusi as the former Emir Kano.

    Following his removal, the state government immediately named one of the sons of late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, Aminu Ado Bayero the 15th Fulani Emir of the state.

     

     

  • Ganduje has no right to detain Sanusi – Apostle Johnson Suleman

    Outspoken General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman has reacted to the dethronement and subsequent detention of former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi.

    Suleman said though the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje has the powers to depose Sanusi, but has “no right to detain” the former Emir.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that the Ganduje-led state government had deposed Sanusi as Emir of Kano for what it termed disrespect of authorities.

     

    Following his dethronement, Kano government had named one of the sons of late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, Aminu Ado Bayero as the 15th Fulani Emir of the state.

     

    Sanusi, the former Central Bank Governor was banished from Kano to a town in Nasarawa State.

     

    Reacting, Apostle Suleman in a tweet, insisted that disrespecting a governor was not a criminal offence.

     

    I can understand the dethronment of the former emir of kano.what I dont understand is the detention.over what?a governor has right to depose a traditional ruler but has no right to detain anyone who has not committed an offence.disrespecting a governor is not a criminal offence.

    — Apst Johnson Suleman (@APOSTLESULEMAN) March 10, 2020

    He wrote: “I can understand the dethronement of the former emir of kano.

    “What I don’t understand is the detention, over what? A governor has right to depose a traditional ruler but has no right to detain anyone who has not committed an offence. Disrespecting a governor is not a criminal offence.”

     

  • BREAKING: Sanusi Speaks After Dethronement As Kano Emir, Calls It An Act Of Destiny

    BREAKING: Sanusi Speaks After Dethronement As Kano Emir, Calls It An Act Of Destiny

    The dethroned Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, has made his first official reaction to his removal from office on Monday.

    Mr Sanusi was deposed following a resolution of the Kano State Executive Council on March 9, on allegations of insubordination.

    The Secretary to the Kano State Government, Usman Alhaji, who addressed journalists at the end of the emergency council meeting said the action was based on the governor’s powers under the state’s Emirates Law 2019.

    A son of late Ado Bayero who was Mr Sanusi’s predecessor, Aminu Bayero, was immediately announced as the new emir with the endorsement of the four Kano kingmakers.

    In the video message, which was obtained by an online news platform Premium Times, Mr Sanusi accepted his dethronement as an act of destiny.

    “With almost six years on this throne and (in charge of) our heritage. Today, the Almighty Allah, who gave me the leadership has destined to take it back,” Mr Sanusi said.

    “As I always say, leadership has predetermined tenure, the days Allah destined are numbered. When the days come to an end one must leave.

    “We have accepted whatever Allah decides. We have agreed. We appreciate (God). We are happy and we know it is what is best for us.”

    The video appeared to have been recorded at the Kano Palace on Monday before Mr Sanusi was whisked away into exile by security personnel.

    Towards the end of the video, the blaring of a siren could be heard signaling the arrival of the police commissioner who led the operation.

    The deposed emir called on all titleholders and palace officials to support whoever emerged as the emir.

    “We enjoin everyone to remain peaceful. We have directed our family, our children and those that support us that whoever gets it and is endorsed by the people they should pay allegiance to him.

    “They should follow him (the new emir). They should guard his honour and dignity because that is also the honour and dignity of this palace.”

    In affirming his ties to his grandfather who was deposed in a similar way in 1963, Mr Sanusi expressed happiness for practicing his reign in accordance with that of Emir Sanusi I.

    “It is a thing of pride that made us rule and end in the same fashion as Halifa,” he said using his grandfather’s sobriquet.

    Mr Sanusi expressed his thanks to the people of Kano, titleholders, lieutenants, and friends for their support and affection during his reign.

  • Sanusi’s dethronement, banishment, restriction illegal, Falana tackles Ganduje

    Sanusi’s dethronement, banishment, restriction illegal, Falana tackles Ganduje

    Human rights lawyer and advocate, Femi Falana, SAN on Tuesday said the decision of the Kano State Executive Council presided over by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to try, dethrone, banish and restrict the former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi on Monday without a fair hearing was illegal.

    Recall that the Kano State Government announced the dethronement of the embattled emir to the surprise of many. He (Sanusi) has since been replaced by Aminu Ado Bayero.

    Reacting to the developments, Falana in a statement said the fundamental rights of the former emir to personal liberty and freedom of movement guaranteed in the constitution has been violated by the state government.

    Read full statement below:

    SANUSI’S DETHRONEMENT, BANISHMENT, RESTRICTION OF MOVEMENT AND DETENTION ARE ILLEGAL

    Yesterday, the Kano state government held an executive council meeting presided over by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. At the said meeting the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was accused of having disrespected the Governor by not attending official meetings and displaying utter disdain for constituted authority.
    And without giving the Emir any opportunity to react to the allegations the executive council tried him, found him guilty and announced his removal from the throne. Apart from deposing the Emir without affording him the opportunity to defend himself Governor Ganduje was the accuser, the prosecutor, witness and judge at the inquisition which lasted for about 5 minutes. At the end of the inquisition the accused was convicted and sentenced to dethronement. As if the reckless violations of the Emir’s right to fair hearing were not sufficient Governor Ganduje proceeded to order the indefinite restriction of the deposed Emir’s movement and indefinite detention at Loko, Nasarawa State.

    Thus, the fundamental rights of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to personal liberty and freedom of movement guaranteed by sections 35 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and article 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement Act Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 have also been violated. Since the Kano state government lacks the power to abrogate the fundamental rights of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi without following a procedure permitted by law his banishment and detention in Nasarawa State are illegal in every material particular.

    At the time the British colonial regime engaged in the dethronement, banishment, restriction of movement and detention of traditional rulers who opposed the looting of the resources of the colonial territory of Nigeria the fundamental rights of all colonial subjects were not recognised in spite of the much touted Magna Carta. Hence, some of the traditional rulers who were deposed and banished to remote islands abroad where they were killed. The Britain colonial regime got away with such atrocities because colonial powers at the material time operated outside the ambit of law and civilised standards. But under the current democratic dispensation in Nigeria no state government has the power to remove a traditional ruler and subject him to banishment and detention without following due process. Therefore, the Kano State Government should release Sanusi forthwith and allow him to contest his removal from the throne if he so desires.

     

  • Obasanjo writes Sanusi on his dethronement, tags it ‘Good, bad news’ [Letter attached]

    Obasanjo writes Sanusi on his dethronement, tags it ‘Good, bad news’ [Letter attached]

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has written the embattled Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, following his dethronement by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on Monday.

    In the supposed letter, which was first shared online by Sen. Dino Melaye and presently making the rounds on the internet, Obasanjo described Sanusi’s dethronement as having two sides – the “sad and good”.

    While noting that Sanusi’s removal was “undeserved”, the former president, however, said the former emir had paid the price.

    Obasanjo’s three-paragraphed letter reads: “I woke up this morning and after my morning exercise, devotion and my morning meeting with my staff, I heard the sad and good news of your removal by the Executive Council of the Kano State Government.

    “It is sad because it was undeserved. It is good because you have paid the price. My prayer is that God should give you the fortitude and the courage to continue on the path that you have chosen for yourself in the best interest of our country and humanity.

    “Please accept, Your Highness, the assurances of my highest consideration”

    Following Sanusi’s dethronement on Monday, Governor Ganduje had approved the appointment of Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as the 15th Emir of Kano.

    “I have been directed by his Excellency, the Governor of the state, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje following the resolution of the state Executive Council and recommendation by Kano Kingmakers to announce the appointment of Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as the new Emir of Kano,” the Secretary to the state government announced in a statement.

    Bayero is one of the sons of the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the predecessor of Sanusi.