News
Court sacks Kano electoral chair ahead of LG poll
Barely four days to the Kano Local Government election, a Federal High Court in Kano, on Tuesday, disqualified Prof Sani Malumfashi as the chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission.
The presiding Judge, Simon Amobeda, in a ruling in a matter filed by Aminu Aliyu Tiga and the All Progressives Congress, held that the chairman was a political party card-carrying member.
The court also sacked five members of the commission for their ties with a political party in the state.
The plaintiff had alleged that the commission chairman and the members were card-carrying members of the New Nigeria People’s Party.
Following the ruling, there was anxiety over the likely conduct of the local government election on Saturday, October 26.
The electoral body had fixed October 26 to conduct the council polls in the 44 local government areas of the state.
Efforts to reach the sacked chairman through his telephone by The PUNCH failed as of the time of filing this report, as his telephone line was switched off.
Also, attempts to get the reaction of the state government, the NNPP and even the All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party on the development were not fruitful.
The defendants in the suit are KANSIEC, Kano State House of Assembly, the Attorney General, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Director, Department of State Services, Commissioner of Police, Kano command, State Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kano State Command, Anas Muhammad Mustapha, Mukhtar Garba Dandago, Isyaku Ibrahim Kunya, Kabir Jibril Zakirai and Amina Inuwa Fagge.
The court ordered that the ninth to 14th defendants, being card-carrying members of the NNPP and in partisan politics, contrary to Section 197(1)(b) and Section 200 (1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 4 of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2001, were not qualified to be the chairman and members of the first defendant.
The court restrained the first defendant from conducting the 2024 local government election in respect of 44 local governments in Kano State until and unless qualified persons were duly and legally appointed as chairman and members of the first defendant.
It ruled that the ninth defendant, not being an officer in the Kano State Civil Service not below the rank of director before he was appointed secretary of the first defendant, was not qualified to be appointed to the position, under Section 14 of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2001.
“That, the 1st defendant, whose composition of members was made in contravention of constitutional provisions of section 197 (1) (b) and section 200 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 4 of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2001, cannot validly and Competently conduct Local Government Election 2024 in respect of 44 local governments in Kano State until and unless qualified persons are duly and legally appointed as chairman and members of the commission in line with relevant extent law,” the court ruled.
“That, whatever the first defendant did or has done or is doing in preparation for the 2024 local government election in Kano State, such as issuance of election guidelines, circulars, screening of candidates, sale of nomination and expression of interest forms, whichever and howsoever, are null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
“That the 9th-14h defendants are forthwith disqualified and removed from their positions as chairman and members of the defendants.
“That the first defendant is forthwith restrained from conducting the 2024 local government election in respect of 44 local governments in Kano State, until and unless qualified persons are duly and legally appointed as chairman and members of the first defendant,” the court further ruled.
Justice Amobeda also ruled that the fourth defendant was forthwith directed not to release/issue register of voters or any electoral material or materials in respect of the 44 LGs in Kano State to the first defendant for the purpose of conducting 2024 LG election in the state until and unless the provisions of sections 197(1)(b), 199(2) and 200(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Sections 4(b) and 14(1) of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2001 are fully complied with in appointing qualified persons as chairman and members of the first defendant.
“Similarly, the court ordered that, where the fourth defendant has already released or issued a register of voters or any electoral material or materials in respect of the 44 LGs in Kano State to the first defendant for the purpose of conducting 2024 Local Government Election in the state, the fourth defendant shall forthwith recall or retrieve such register of voters or electoral material or materials from the first defendant, and custody same until the first defendant is properly constituted in full compliance with the provisions of sections 197(1)(b), 199(2) and 200(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Sections 4(b) and 14(1) of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2001,” he added.
News
NBS to include commercial s3x, other illegal activities in GDP calculation
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
To unveil rebased GDP, Consumer Price Index this month
•Proposes 2019 as new GDP base year
•Proposes 2024 as base year for inflation computation
The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, yesterday said that illegal and hidden activities like prostitution and drugs peddling will now be included in the calculation of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.
Meanwhile, NBS has proposed 2019 as a new GDP base year and 2024 as new base year for inflation computation.
NBS disclosed this at a sensitization workshop on GDP and Consumer Price Index, CPI Rebasing organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).
According to the bureau, 2019 was proposed as the new GDP base year because economic activities were relatively stable during the year, compared to subsequent years disrupted by the impact of COVID and policy shifts..
The bureau added that the rebased GDP is expected to capture new segments such as the digital economy, activities of pension fund administrators, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSTIF), activities of modular refineries, domestic households as employers of labour and coverage of illegal and hidden activities.
Elaborating on the inclusion of illegal and hidden activities in the classification of economic activities for computation of the GDP, Head of National Accounts, NBS, Dr. Baba Madu, said: “Illegal activities will be in line with the national best practices, that is System of National Accounts, SNA 2008.
“If you are into, for instance, drugs, there are some countries, it is this drug that is driving their economy. It is illegal here because there is no legal backing. Also prostitution, they also earn income. Some even live bigger than those in the formal sector. The SNA does not say no to these, it is we. But the challenge is the legal backing and how do we get the data.
“And then, of course, the hidden economy. If I ask you, how much do you earn in a month, you will lower your income. Or if somebody is selling provision in a store, and before you know it he started selling India hemp. Those are the things we are seeing. There are challenges all over the world. But the beauty is that they are less than 3.0 to 3.5% of the GDP.”
Highlighting the importance of the GDP and CPI rebasing exercise, Statistician General, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, said: “The rebasing is a vital exercise that ensures our economic indicators are current and accurate reflections of the economic realities on the ground. As economies evolve, new industries emerge, and consumption patterns shift, it becomes imperative to update our statistical measures to capture these changes. Rebasing our GDP and CPI allows us to align with these transformations, providing a more precise and relevant picture of Nigeria’s economic landscape. This process is foundational to informed policymaking, strategic planning, and effective governance; hence, it is one exercise that NBS is conducting with significant importance and professionalism.
Highlighting the benefits of GDP rebasing, Chief Executive Officer, NESG, Dr. Tayo Aduloju, in his welcome address, said: “Accurate data enhances credibility. Our debt-to-GDP ratio, a critical indicator of fiscal health, dropped from 19% to 11% after the 2014 rebasing.
“This improved Nigeria’s creditworthiness, making us a more attractive destination for foreign direct investment. Investors are drawn to transparency and growth potential, and rebasing sends a clear message: we understand our economy, and we are open for business.
“Second, rebasing sharpens policymaking. It provides a detailed map of our economic terrain, enabling governments to identify high-growth sectors for scaling and low-growth sectors that require targeted interventions to drive impactful and balanced development. For example, after Ghana’s 2010 rebasing—which resulted in a 60% GDP increase—its policymakers could better plan for infrastructure and social investments, fueling sustained growth.”
Vanguard
News
Man walking from Ibadan to Abuja to Meet Tinubu Stranded, Begs for Help
A young man known as Mr. Nigeria101, who embarked on an ambitious mission to trek from Ibadan to Abuja since December 1, 2024, has issued a heartfelt plea for assistance after becoming stranded.
His journey, which he described as a demonstration of loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is aimed at delivering a letter he claims represents the collective voices and concerns of Nigerian youths. Despite reportedly covering over 600 kilometers, his efforts have gone largely unnoticed by both the government and the public.
In a series of emotional videos shared on his TikTok account, Mr. Nigeria101 detailed his struggles and called on Nigerians for help. The videos, which have since garnered significant attention, reveal the extent of his frustration and exhaustion.
Speaking directly to the camera, he said:
“Nigerians, please come to my aid. I need your support. Have mercy on me. I have been on this trekking mission since December 1st last year from Ibadan to Abuja to meet Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to read out this message to him that Nigerians are suffering.
Nobody wants to attend to me; nobody wants to pay attention to me. I have trekked to the extent that my spirit has almost left my body.”
The young man’s plight has drawn mixed reactions, with some applauding his determination while others question the effectiveness of such actions in addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
Mr. Nigeria101’s journey has taken a more desperate turn as he vows to continue his trek to Abuja, even if it means wandering indefinitely or sacrificing his life. He has expressed his intention to protest until President Tinubu acknowledges his efforts and the message he carries on behalf of struggling Nigerians.
The contents of the letter, according to him, highlight the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens, particularly the youth, amid the prevailing economic hardships in the country.
Observers note that his actions reflect the growing frustration among young Nigerians, who often feel unheard and overlooked by those in power. Whether his efforts will result in an audience with the President remains uncertain, but his story has sparked conversations about the lengths citizens are willing to go to make their voices heard.A determined young man known as Mr. Nigeria101, who embarked on an ambitious mission to trek from Ibadan to Abuja since December 1, 2024, has issued a heartfelt plea for assistance after becoming stranded.
His journey, which he describes as a demonstration of loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is aimed at delivering a letter he claims represents the collective voices and concerns of Nigerian youths. Despite reportedly covering over 600 kilometers, his efforts have gone largely unnoticed by both the government and the public.
In a series of emotional videos shared on his TikTok account, Mr. Nigeria101 detailed his struggles and called on Nigerians for help. The videos, which have since garnered significant attention, reveal the extent of his frustration and exhaustion.
Speaking directly to the camera, he said:
“Nigerians, please come to my aid. I need your support. Have mercy on me. I have been on this trekking mission since December 1st last year from Ibadan to Abuja to meet Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to read out this message to him that Nigerians are suffering.
Nobody wants to attend to me; nobody wants to pay attention to me. I have trekked to the extent that my spirit has almost left my body.”
The young man’s plight has drawn mixed reactions, with some applauding his determination while others question the effectiveness of such actions in addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
Mr. Nigeria101’s journey has taken a more desperate turn as he vows to continue his trek to Abuja, even if it means wandering indefinitely or sacrificing his life. He has expressed his intention to protest until President Tinubu acknowledges his efforts and the message he carries on behalf of struggling Nigerians.
The contents of the letter, according to him, highlight the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens, particularly the youth, amid the prevailing economic hardships in the country.
Observers note that his actions reflect the growing frustration among young Nigerians, who often feel unheard and overlooked by those in power. Whether his efforts will result in an audience with the President remains uncertain, but his story has sparked conversations about the lengths citizens are willing to go to make their voices heard.
News
MEET Ibrahim Mahama’s footballer son who is set to join a club in Germany
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Amer Mahama, the son of business mogul Ibrahim Mahama, is an emerging talent reportedly set for a move to Europe after impressing in Ghana’s lower-tier league.
Amer is an attacking midfielder who plays for the lower-tier side Nice Ibrahim Sporting Club, based in Tema.
Known for his technical abilities, Amer is an exciting prospect with immense potential to become a top player.
Speaking to MO TV on YouTube, he confirmed drawing interest from an unnamed German club and stated he is set to join at the end of the current campaign.
“Hopefully, by the end of this campaign, I will go to Germany. Hopefully, I can make a name for myself,” he said.
The youngster also expressed his desire to represent Ghana, but indicated that his progress will determine.
“It depends on my progress. Yeah, maybe (I’ll play for Ghana).”
Amer Mahama’s strengths include his passing and vision, combined with his dribbling skills and ability to create chances.
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