Headlines
Ganduje Cuts Emir Sanusi to Size, Splits Kano Emirate into Five
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State on Wednesday signed a bill that sought to split the Kano emirate into four into law.
The state House of Assembly passed the bill earlier on Wednesday less than 24 hours after a petition submitted to the House by one Ibrahim Salisu was read by the Speaker, Alhassan Ruum.
The governor, who signed the bill into law barely eight hours after it was passed by the lawmakers, said, “The traditional institution will now go closer to the people. We are about to make history today, and in the Holy Month of Ramadan.”
He stated that with the expansion of the emirate council, there was a need to bring forth the all-important institution to serve the people better.
According to him, all the necessary requirements needed for the immediate commencement of the new councils are in place.
He stated, “Kingmakers will be known very soon. So also all other processes and procedures will be completed for appointing respective emirs, issuing them with appointment letters up to the coronation stage.”
The proposed emirates will reduce the area of influence of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II.
Reading the report of the House joint committees before the floor of the House on Tuesday, the Majority Leader, Alhaji Baffa Danagundi, said the decision to pass the bill followed wide consultations with stakeholders.
According to Danagundi, the law, if signed by the state governor, each of the emirate council will have their own kingmakers except Bichi.
Bichi, he said, would have its kingmakers from the old Emirate Council, Gidan Dabo, in particular.
Earlier on Wednesday on another occasion, the governor promised to sign the bill into law without hesitation as soon as it was passed by the House.
He said, “We heard about a bill forwarded to the state House of Assembly, requesting them to enact a law for the creation of four more emirs in Kano. We believe those that did this did it with good intentions and they want the development of the state.”
With the creation of more emirates, Ganduje argued that all sectors of society would enjoy improvement.
He stated, “We believe the petitioners did it in good faith. And they want the development of the state. I hope the legislative arm would work on it and forward it to me for assent of which I am ready to sign into law without any waste of time.
“That is the popular wish of our people. This will also go a long way in hastening growth and the development of the state.
“It will also lead to more concentration on our health, education and other equally important sectors of the society. That is why I said there would be no waste of time in signing the bill into law.
“The efforts did not get through many years ago but now we are happy to see that the idea would come into fruition.”
The Punch
Headlines
Abiola Cannot Be Recognised As Former President; He Was Never Sworn-in – Gen Ishola Williams
By Eric Elezuo
One of the prime actors of the June 12, 1993 incidents, General Ishola Williams, has said that much as Chief MKO Abiola wrong was created having won the election, and denied victory, he cannot be recognized as a former President of Nigeria.
Gen Williams made his revelation while speaking as a guest on Channels television socio-political programme, Inside Source.
He maintained that only those who were sworn in that recognised as former presidents, and Abiola was never sworn in.
“Abiola cannot be recognised as former president because he was never sworn in.
The General, who said that he resigned from the army as a result of the wholesome reception given to General Sani Abacha, when he overthrew Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, contrary to expectation, also picked flaws in the narratives given by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, in his recently launched book, A Journey In Service.
Williams rose in the army to become the Commandant of Army Signals, Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, from where he resigned.
Headlines
Breaking: Supreme Court Recognises Martin Amaewhule As Rivers Assembly Speaker, Orders CBN to Stop Releasing Funds to State
By Eric Elezuo
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has in its ruling on Friday recognised Hon Martins Amaewhule as the authentic speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, mandating him to urgently resume sitting with elected members of the assembly.
The apex court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop releasing to the Rivers State government until a proper assembly is constituted.
Details soon…
Tension escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday as impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made a dramatic return to reclaim his position.
Accompanied by heavily armed men, Obasa stormed the Assembly complex in a bold move that has thrown the State’s legislature into turmoil.
In a stunning turn of events, security details assigned to the substantive Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, were abruptly withdrawn on Thursday morning, clearing the path for Obasa’s controversial comeback.
Sources revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered the withdrawal of all security operatives attached to Meranda, leaving her exposed in the midst of an intensifying power struggle.
The Speaker’s Special Adviser on Information, Mr. Victor Ganzallo, expressed concern over the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of personnel.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.
This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” Ganzallo stated.
He further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the State’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order within the Assembly.
“The withdrawal of security personnel has left the Assembly naked and vulnerable at a critical time. Urgent action is needed to restore order,” he pleaded.
With the speakership battle taking a dramatic new turn, political watchers are keenly observing how the crisis will unfold in the coming days.
