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
World-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua on Monday survived a ghastly road accident in Makun, Ogun State.
Eyewitnesses report that the incident occurred along a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The vehicle carrying Joshua, a Lexus Jeep with the number plate, KRD 850 HN, reportedly collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated.
Joshua reportedly sustained minor injuries, while two persons were said to have died on the spot.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned that any attempt to hurriedly re‑gazette Nigeria’s new tax laws could undermine parliamentary oversight and set a dangerous constitutional precedent.
Atiku’s warning follows public scrutiny over reports that the Tax Reform Acts signed by President Bola Tinubu differ from the versions passed by the National Assembly. Lawmakers, including Abdussamad Dasuki, raised concerns that the alterations could pose serious legal and constitutional risks, noting that they were not backed by any constitutional framework.
In a statement on X, Atiku said the directive to re-gazette the Acts effectively confirms “that the gazetted version of the Tinubu Tax Act does not reflect what was duly passed by the National Assembly,” calling it “a grave constitutional issue.”
He emphasized that under Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution, a bill only becomes law after passage by both chambers, presidential assent, and gazetting.
“Gazetting is merely an administrative act of publication. It does not create, amend, or validate a law,” Atiku said, adding that any post-passage insertion, deletion, or modification without legislative approval constitutes forgery rather than a clerical error.
Atiku further warned that rushing a re-gazetting while legislative investigations are ongoing “undermines parliamentary oversight and sets a dangerous precedent,” stressing that the only lawful approach is “fresh legislative consideration, re-passage by both chambers, fresh presidential assent, and proper gazetting.”
The former vice president clarified that his position is not opposition to tax reform but a defence of constitutional order.
“This is a defence of the integrity of the legislative process and a rejection of any attempt to normalise constitutional breaches through procedural shortcuts,” he said.
The Federal government has denied wrongdoing, insisting the laws will take effect as scheduled on January 1, 2026, while the National Assembly has directed the issuance of Certified True Copies of the Acts to ensure clarity and accuracy.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, is set to formally join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on December 31, 2025.
The development would put to rest months of speculation about where the former Governor of Anambra State would pitch his tent in the coming elections.
Reports claim that Obi would be defecting with serving senators and other lawmakers elected on the platform of the LP, as well as remnants of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the South East region.
Specifically, Obi would be defecting alongside the Senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh; that of Anambra North, Tony Nwoye; Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe; PDP chieftain Ben Obi; and members of the Obidient movement in the region.
It is not clear if the Abia State governor, Alex Otti, is part of the planned movement to the ADC.
The governor was recently approached by the PDP to join the party and re-contest his current position in 2027.
Further reports quoted Obi’s spokesperson, Valentine Obienyem, as confirming the planned defection of his boss to the ADC.
“Yes, it is true,” he reportedly said on Sunday.
Senator Umeh said the event would hold in Enugu, adding that it would involve all Obi’s supporters across the South East region.
“They will come from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo states to join those in Enugu, where this exercise will hold on 31st December,” he reportedly added.
Sources hinted that Obi, who has not hidden his intention to appear on the ballot in 2027, would contest the presidential ticket of the ADC.
On his part, Chief Chekwas Okorie, reportedly said that the expected formal defection of Obi to the ADC is a healthy development that could reshape the thinking and permutations of the 2027 general elections.
“I imagine that he would be defecting along with most of his associates and followers. I believe that a fortified and strong ADC will add value to the opposition and assuage the general fear of a possible one-party option to Nigerians come 2027. The APC, ADC and possibly the PDP locking horns in the 2027 democratic encounter promises a vibrant and robust electioneering campaign that will provide Nigerians the required options to make informed choices in electing their preferred leaders at all levels. I imagine that the APC leadership will return to the drawing table to map out the strategy to confront the emerging challenge. Nigerians are in interesting times,” Okorie stated.
National President of Njiko Igbo Forum (NIF), Rev Okechukwu Obioha, vouched support for Obi to ensure he reaches the pinnacle of his political career. He, however, cautioned that the ADC should not compromise merit and integrity in the choice of its presidential candidate, stressing that Obi remains the “hope for the restoration of the country on the path of greatness.”
