News
Kano emirate: Senate denies alleged emergency rule
The Senate on Tuesday dismissed an alleged plot to declare a state of emergency in Kano State over the emirate tussle between Ado Bayero and Muhammad Sanusi II.
The Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, told The PUNCH that such a motion was not before the red chamber.
The Senate’s rebuttal came as the Nigerian Bar Association disclosed that its disciplinary committee had received eight memos from the lawyers involved in the Kano Emirate conflicting court orders.
Kano has been enmeshed in a crisis since the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano, following the enactment of the new Kano Emirate Council Law and the deposition of Bayero.
The national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, had alleged that the Federal Government was planning to declare a state of emergency in Kano State.
Kwankwaso, who was the party’s presidential candidate in last year’s general election, alleged that the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government was taking sides in the Kano emirate tussle.
“Some people from Kano, who are enemies of the state, are the ones advising the Federal Government on how to take over Kano through a state of emergency. This is madness of the highest order that the good, peace-loving, and committed people of Kano will resist,’’ Kwankwaso said.
Similarly, in an interview with Arise Tv, an NNPP chieftain, Buba Galadima, warned President Bola Tinubu to steer clear of Kano politics.
Galadima warned that the President’s involvement in Kano politics could wreck his administration.
He said, “I want to tell the Federal Government, including my friend, President Bola Tinubu, that he should be mindful of Kano politics, it will destroy his Presidency.
“They never agree on any issue and I have an inherent knowledge of how we dealt with the issue of Kano politics during the NPN when I was the youth leader.
“I know some very powerful politicians in Kano, including some rich men who came to meet the President that they should remove Abba Yusuf and nothing will happen.”
However, the Presidency denied the allegation as a mere rumour.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, affirmed that there was no circumstance to warrant an emergency declaration in Kano state.
“There is no truth in it. It is a mere rumour. The Federal Government cannot declare any state of emergency in any state without the involvement of the National Assembly. There is no such plan.
“The National Assembly is in recess. No President can just wake up and declare a state of emergency in any state,’’ Onanuga said.
Reacting to the alleged plot to suspend democratic structures in Kano State, the Senate spokesperson said there was no point discussing the issue.
Senator Adaramodu said, “Declaration of State of Emergency is not before the Senate, so discussing such is unnecessary. The major assignments before us when we resume work after the Salah break are the consideration of the Supplementary Budget and the minimum wage bill. Equally, the issue of Constitutional review and amendment. Also, the electoral laws shall be attended to.”
Efforts to get the House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, proved abortive as he couldn’t be reached on the phone.
News
Breaking: Wife of former DSP, Ekweremadu, released from UK prison, returns home
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu, wife of ex-Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has returned to Nigeria.
A reliable source on Wednesday confirmed her return to VANGUARD.
It will be recalled that Senator Ekweremadu, his wife, and Dr. Obinna Obeta were sentenced by a UK court over charges related to organ harvesting.
The former Deputy Senate President received a 10-year prison sentence, while Mrs. Ekweremadu was sentenced to six years.
News
18 States Move To Block Trump’s Order Ending Birthright Citizenship For Immigrant Children In US
A coalition of Democratic state attorneys general filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday to block President Trump’s executive order aimed at eliminating birthright citizenship.
Shortly after taking office on Monday, Trump used presidential powers to initiate his long-promised immigration crackdown. His executive actions included an order directing the federal government to stop issuing passports, citizenship certificates, and other documents to many children born in the U.S. whose mothers are in the country illegally or whose parents are not legal permanent residents.
According to CBS News, the lawsuit, filed by 18 states in federal court in Massachusetts, argues that Mr. Trump’s initiative violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which has long been interpreted by the federal government to grant citizenship to those born on American soil.
The cities of San Francisco and Washington, D.C., have also joined the suit.
The 14th Amendment says: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
“The great promise of our nation is that everyone born here is a citizen of the United States, able to achieve the American dream,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement to CBS News.
“This fundamental right to birthright citizenship, rooted in the 14th Amendment and born from the ashes of slavery, is a cornerstone of our nation’s commitment to justice.”
The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction to stop the enforcement of the executive order and ultimately aims to have it invalidated.
The states participating in the suit include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
“The President’s executive order attempting to rescind birthright citizenship is blatantly unconstitutional and quite frankly, un-American,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.
The states are asking the court to immediately block the order from taking effect.
Mr. Trump directed that his order should be enforced in 30 days.
News
Burkina Faso outlaws colonial-era judicial wigs to embrace cultural identity
In a historic attempt to decolonise the country’s judiciary, President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso has formally banned judges from wearing wigs from the British and French colonial eras.
President Traoré emphasised in his announcement the importance of eschewing colonial-era traditions and implementing customs that respect Burkina Faso’s cultural identity.
The action is in line with his larger plan to fortify national identity and declare the nation’s autonomy from outside influences. The colonial wigs, which have traditionally stood for outside authority in African legal systems, are gradually being abandoned.
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