TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ganduje

  • Jubilation in Kano as PDP candidate takes early lead ahead APC’s Ganduje

    Jubilation in Kano as PDP candidate takes early lead ahead APC’s Ganduje

    Supporters of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Kano State governorship elections, Abba Yusuf, took to the streets of Kano on Saturday to celebrate an early lead.

    The celebration began for the supporters of the main opposition party’s candidate when news filtered through mobile phones that the party had recorded symbolic victories against Governor Abdulahi Ganduje’s All Progressives Congress in constituencies of his close allies.

    The constituencies included that of the state Deputy Governor, Nasiru Gawuna, and former governor and senator-elect, Ibrahim Shekarau.

    At the Magwan polling unit 056 where the deputy governor, Gawuna, voted, the PDP candidate polled 210 votes to defeat Ganduje, who polled197 votes.

    Ganduje suffered a similar fate at PU 022 at the Giginyu Primary School, where Shekarau voted.

    Results from the unit indicated that the PDP garnered 143 votes to defeat Ganduje who polled 91 votes.

    At PU 029, located at Zango ward in Kano Municipality LGA, the PDP scored 147 votes, while the APC had 70 votes.

  • Presidential poll: I’ll give Buhari 5m votes ‘next time’, Ganduje says after failing on his promise

    …expresses confidence to win governorship poll

    Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano has explained why he could not deliver on his promise to ensure President Muhammadu Buhari gets five million votes in Kano State.

    He also described those doubting the number of votes scored by the president in last Saturday’s election in the state as unserious.

    Recall that Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 1,464,768 votes in Kano to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who polled 391,593 in the state.

    There was cancellation of results in some polling units in 17 local government areas. But the state witnessed no violence during the elections, although some people died in a clash between supporters of the APC and PDP a week before the polls.

    Buhari was declared the overall winner of the election after he polled 15, 191,847, against the 11,262,978 votes polled by former vice president Atiku Abubakar of the PDP who finished as runner-up.

    The Kano governor had at different times prior to the elections boast of giving president Buhari at least 5 million votes in his reelection bid.

    Reacting to doubt by some Nigerians over the votes scored by Buhari in Kano, Ganduje, who was in the Presidential Villa Wednesday to congratulate Buhari on his re-election said, “first of all they are not serious people, they are people who are anti-democracy.

    “If you have seen how the elections were conducted I think everybody will agree that INEC tried very well. Even though there was low turnout of voters because we were expecting to get much more than that, the election was fair and free.

    “Those who say we couldn’t have got that much are ignorant of the politics of Kano.”

    Ganduje said the result of the presidential and the National Assembly elections has put the APC in good stead to win the March 9 gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections. Ganduje is seeking reelection in that poll.

    Asked why he did not deliver on the five million votes he promised the president, the governor said, “Well, I told you it is because of the low turnout of voters. But I promise You next time…let’s look towards the governorship election.“

    Although Buhari scored his highest votes in the 2019 election in Kano, the votes was significantly lower than the about 1.9 million votes he scored in the state in 2015.

    Ganduje, who is enmeshed in a bribery scandal after being caught on tape receiving thousands of dollars from state contractors, also spoke on his chances in the governorship election

    “My chances are very bright and you can see the beginning of it with the presidential election. We gave Mr President the highest number of votes, all the three senators are back, 24 House of Representatives members out of 24 have succeeded. What else are you expecting? That is the foundation. Another thing is that Mr President has done a lot of work in Nigeria and in Kano and as a government we have done a lot in Kano State.

    “If there was negative reaction we would have seen it from the presidential election. That is why I say we are heading for a huge success in Kano both in the gubernatorial and state house of Assembly elections.”

    Ganduje said he was at the Presidential Villa to express his happiness and to also congratulate the president personally.

    He said he also wanted to thank all Nigerians for voting Buhari for a second term, and “for voting the most honest person because he laid the foundation for the development of a new Nigeria, and a man who loves Nigeria more than himself, a man who believes in free and fair elections.”

    “We are forging ahead in terms of getting the right thing done in Nigeria. So, I am here to congratulate him personally before we come as a group from Kano to congratulate him,” he said.

     

  • Ganduje gives conditions to receive Kwankwaso back to APC

    Kano state Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on Friday promised to gladly welcome back his predecessor and political rival, Senator Rab’u Musa Kwankwaso should he decides to return to the All Progressive Congress (APC) after the elections.

    He spoke on Friday while receiving Alhaji Ibrahim Na-Kaduna, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Yalwa Ward in Dala Local Government where Ali Sani Madakin Gini, PDP’s Kano Central Senatorial candidate hails from.

    The governor said: “In APC, we take all as human beings. We treat them with all manner of dignity and respect.

    “That is why we are doing our best to woo new entrants into our fold. Even him (Kwankwaso) we wanted him to come and rejoin our party.

    “When he was planning to come back, he came with a condition that we must support his candidate for the presidency.

    “We told him point-blank that as far as we are concerned there is no vacancy in the Villa.

    “We made him understand vividly clear that we could not support any other candidature apart from that of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

    Ganduje added: “Kwankwaso was only busy doing what he thought were ways to get to President Muhammadu Buhari to tell him that he wanted to stage a comeback.

    “But when he saw the handwriting on the wall clearly, he retreated. This is so because we told our President not to take any serious action and not to even entertain him, until after the general elections.

    “If we accept him before elections, he could beat his chest at the end of it and boast that he made the victory possible.

    “We now said let him rejoin when election is over. That is after the victory come calling.”

    Ganduje explained: “This effort of rescuing Kwankwasiyya followers, which is tagged ‘Operation Tsamar Nama’ is designed to, specifically, help those followers understand the true picture of the predicament they are in. So we are welcoming you for this giant step you have just taken.”

    Na-Kaduna, who was presented to Ganduje by member of Kano representing Dala local Government Area in the House of Assembly, Babangida Yakudima, lamented how Kwankwaso has been insensitive to the plight of his followers.

    According to him: “Kwankwaso is only interested in putting his followers to many troubles and political crises.

    “When such things happen, before you know it, he takes to his heel. How can such a person be a leader?”

    He added: “At a point in time, the North Central Senatorial candidate in PDP, Madakin Gini, had wanted to run away from the Kwankwasiyya group.

    “Plans were on top gear, but all of a sudden, we just heard that he made a U-turn. That he is still with Kwankwaso.”

  • Ganduje orders shutdown of Kano stadiums ahead of Atiku rally

    Ganduje orders shutdown of Kano stadiums ahead of Atiku rally

    Kano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has ordered the closure of the Sani Abacha stadium Kofar Mata for two weeks.

    The State government said that the closure is to pave way for general renovation works.

    The closure is coming five days to the campaign rally of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    According to the directives issued by the office of the state governor, Umar Ganduje, said the proposed general renovation works would last for two weeks.

    A reliable source, confirmed the issuance of the directive to shut down the facility, adding that the proposed general renovation works have inclusive, the installation of a new scoreboard, the running track and provision of sources for steady water supply to all parts of the stadium facility.

    However, a source said that the closure was to ensure that the PDP Presidential Campaign team does not have access to the stadium to seek for votes

  • [Video] Ganduje bribe video technologically manipulated – Buhari

    [Video] Ganduje bribe video technologically manipulated – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari tactically declined comment on the bribery allegations against Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state when the issue was raised during the presidential town hall interactive meeting he attended on Wednesday night in Abuja.

    President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo sat one-on-one with moderator, Kadaria Ahmed, during the programme that held at the Ladi Kwali Conference Center in Sheraton Hotel Abuja and aired on the National Television Authority (NTA).

    The President said he wouldn’t want to comment on the matter because the case is sub juice.

    Buhari however expressed shock that Governor Ganduje could be seen allegedly receiving bribes from government contractors on video tapes, but said he wouldn’t rule out the possibility that the videos could have been manipulated using technology.

    “I don’t know the amount of technology used. Honestly I’m overwhelmed by it, that Ganduje will collect money by himself and even smiling? But I’m relieved that there are processes in place at the state house of assembly and the courts. I hope that by the time I go to Kano for campaign, I will get some answers,” he said.

    In the videos that Instantly went viral when they were released by online news website, Daily Nigerian, Governor Ganduje was seen receiving chunks of dollar bills and inserting them into his ‘baban riga” otherwise called agbada.

    The governor had denied receiving the bribes and even went as far as suing the website and its publisher for N3 billion.

  • I tried to stop release of Ganduje’s bribery videos – Kwankwaso

    The senator representing Kano Central, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, said, yesterday, he was aware of the video which showed Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State allegedly receiving money from some contractors, but did everything possible to stop the release to the public to no avail.

    Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, stated this on a live programme on Aminchi FM in Kano. Kwankwaso Senator Kwankwaso said he pleaded with the Publisher of the online newspaper, Daily Nigerian, which released the video, but noted that they refused to heed his plea.

    His words: “I was aware of the video clips before they were released to the public and I pleaded that they should not be released, but they didn’t listen to me.

    NAICOM restructures, creates 20 state branches “I am not happy that the video clips were made public because it is an embarrassment to the state and its people, including myself.”
    News of release of the video, which was recorded in 2017, broke last October after the governor was accused of collecting $5 million described as bribe from some contractors operating in the state, who were said to have recorded the development.

    The governor reacted immediately, denying collecting money from any contractor, even as he said it was a calculated attempt to impugn his person.

    However, the state House of Assembly summoned the Publisher of the online newspaper, Jaafar Jaafar, to appear before an ad hoc committee set up to investigate the incident and submit clips of the video, which he did. The governor was, thereafter, invited by the committee, after he had threatened to sue the online newspaper.

    Instead of appearing before the committee in person, Governor Ganduje sent his Information Commissioner, Mohammed Garba, to stand in for him. He later sued the online newspaper for N3 billion, despite earlier intervention by the House of Assembly that he should not do so.

  • Ganduje donates N10m to EFCC, ICPC

    THE administration of Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano State, has donated N10 million to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and other agencies organising the National anti-corruption marathon.

    The EFCC is collaborating with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and Athletic Federation of Nigeria, AFN, to organise the programme in honour of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Ganduje announced the donation when he received members of the main organising committee in Abuja.

    He promised that the Kano State Public Complaints and anti corruption Commission would collaborate with the organisers as an official partner to ensure the success of the event.

    Ganduje said: “Before now, people find it difficult to access the services of the agency but we established offices across the 44 local government areas so that the services can be available to the common man.

    “We also facilitated the recruitment of additional personnel and subjected them to training by professional agencies like EFCC and ICPC so that they can deliver.

    “We also ensured cooperation with these agencies and that attracted international organizations to support us in reinforcing our anti-corruption system.”

    The governor said as a result of the renewed vigour of the state’s anti-corruption agency, highly placed individuals such as permanent secretaries in the state civil service and a commissioner were removed and prosecuted for their involvement in fraudulent practices.

    The governor had been under pressure to step down based on the videos where he was seen allegedly collecting bribes from contractors in the state. He had denied the videos, describing them as the handiwork of his opponents.

  • Kano court bans posting of more Ganduje bribery videos

    Following an interim injunction sought by the Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, a Kano State High Court has granted an order restraining Daily Nigerian and its publisher, Ja’afar Ja’afar, from publishing videos of the governor allegedly collecting bribe.

    The online news platform has been under scrutiny following the publication it made of the governor collecting kickbacks from an anonymous contractor.

    The governor has since denied the allegation and has also asked the court to declare the publication as wrongful and a defamation of character.

    In its sitting on Monday, November 19, the court restrained the news platform, its publisher and their agents from “publishing, sharing or spreading videos injurious to the plaintiff/applicant pending the determination of the substantive application slated for hearing on the 6th of December 2018”.

    This development comes a week after the contractor behind the videos had declared that he is ready to testify before the Kano state house of Assembly committee investigating the matter.

    The contractor, writing through his lawyer, Saeed Muhd Twada, offered to testify before the panel that was set up by the House of Assembly to investigate the allegations.

    In a series of videos in Ja’afar’s possession, the governor was alleged to have received a total of $5 million in installments from a certain contractor on several occasions. Six different video clips have gone viral on social media showing the governor accepting bundles of dollar notes from the yet-to-be-identified contractor.

  • Ganduje wins ‘governor of the year’ award

    The New Telegraph newspaper has crowned Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State the Best Governor in 2018 in the areas of health and education despite an unresolved bribery allegation against him.

    The award came at a time Ganduje is facing allegation of collecting $5 million kickback from contractors.

    Meanwhile, at the Telegraph organised award occasion, after eulogising Ganduje, the Managing Director of the newspaper, Funke Egbemode, said “it is good to celebrate those that are making a difference in our lives”, in obvious reference to the governor.

    A statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor quoted Egbemode as saying: “We believe that if we appreciate those that did good things we are at the same time encouraging them to do more in life.”

    She reportedly added that, “Globally, education and health are two significant areas where successful governance and credible development index are often measured and rated.

    “As a consummate politician and administrator par excellence, Ganduje realised from the outset, he had to make indelible impact on the lives of his people. And he truly did with affordable healthcare and functional education.”

    The managing director also acknowledged that, “Ganduje believes strongly in the words of former South African President, Nelson Mandela, that, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

    Presenting the award to the governor on Saturday night at Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, a former minister of petroleum, Don Etiebet, on behalf of the company, acknowledged how Ganduje transformed both the health and education sectors in Kano State, “within a twinkle of an eye.”.

    “The outstanding performance of governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje made him stand out among his peers. While understanding the relevance of education in the state development, Ganduje believes in healthy population. That is why he did it diligently to see that he leaves indelible marks in these all-important sectors.”

    In a three-minute acceptance speech, the governor appreciated the award. He spoke about the multi-cultural nature of the state, saying that “being the most populous state in the country, we don’t want to have a population that will be a liability to us. We want see that our population becomes an asset. Not a liability. That is why we are doing our best in these and all other areas in this administration.

    “We assure you that Kano will continue to excel in all sectors of the state. This honour, as being presented here, is meant to encourage us to continue building a stronger state with viable economy and productive population,” he reportedly said.

    Ganduje added that “We are grateful for such recognition, as you are receiving this intimidating entourage on the podium.”

    Meanwhile, the newspaper listed over 200 achievements recorded in the state’s health sector and others in education under the leadership of Ganduje

    Other governors who received awards as tweeted by the newspaper’s handle “@newtelegraphng” are: governors of Delta Ifeanyi Okonwa (good governance), Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa (human capital development and infrastructure), Dave Umahi of Ebonyi (agriculture), Yahaya Bello of Kogi (security), Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara (youths empowerment) and Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto (man of the year).

    Other recipients are: PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar (political icon of the decade), Senate President Bukola Saraki (politician of the year), chairman of BUA group, Abdussamad Rabiu (man of the year), minister of power, Raji Fashola (most outstanding public servant), and John Basco (humanitarian award).

    On the media, entertainment and sports category, the proprietor of DAAR Communication, Raymond Dokpesi (media icon-broadcast), Ajibola Ogunsola (media icon of the year-print), Esther Onyema (sports person of the year – female), Bolanle Ninalawo (actor of the year) and Shaffy Bello (actress of the year).

    The public and corporate organisations awarded at the event were Bureau of Public Enterprise (most productive government agency), UBA (Bank of the year), Access Bank (sustainability award of the year) and Transcorp Hilton hotel (hospitality brand of the year).

     

  • Bribery video: Ganduje sues Daily Nigerian publisher, demands N3b damages

    Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has instituted a N3 billion suit in a Federal High Court against an online news platform, Daily Nigerian, and its publisher, Mr. Ja’afar Ja’afar, for defamation of character, slander, libel over publications and releases of video clips alleging that the plaintiff was involved in bribery.

    According to a Writ of Summons dated November 13, 2018, the defendants are expected to appear before the High Court 13, sitting in Kano within 14 days.

    Ganduje through his Counsel, Nuradeen Ajagi, prayed the Court to declare that, “the act of publishing and circulating libelous statements, false and doctored video clips attacking and impugning the character and integrity of the plaintiff amounts to defamation of character of the character plaintiff by the defendants and thus wrongful.

    “Outright and unqualified imputation of theft, fraud, corruption and dishonesty which are all criminal offenses by the defendants’ publication against the plaintiff without any conviction by a court of laws, is slanderous, libelous, injurious and wrongful.

    “In order perpetually restraining the defendants, their agents and all persons and entities to whom they shared their libelous documents/records from further defaming the good standing and character of the plaintiff.

    “That the plaintiff is entitled to damages against the defendants for defamation of character by way of libel and slander.

    “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing the said defamatory story and sharing the said doctored video clips howsoever to whichever type of audience.

    “An order compelling the defendants to pay the plaintiff the sum of N3, 000,000,000 (Three billion naira) as damages for the defamation of the plaintiff character and standing.

    “An order compelling the defendants to write a public apology to the plaintiff and broadcast such apology through their online platforms and other news media with global accessibility.”

    The Nation recalls that Daily Nigerian, an online news platform last month, published a story, accompanied with video clips, alleging that Governor Ganduje collected $5 million kick-back.