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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.
By Francesca Hangeior
The All Progressives Congress has congratulated the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election in the just-concluded governorship election.
Aiyedatiwa won the election, having polled a total of 366,781 votes across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
He defeated his closest rival — Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, who got 117,845 votes.
In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Sunday, and made available to PUNCH Online, the party described Aiyedatiwa as a “clear attestation” that his administration’s policies “resonated deeply with the electorate.”
The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) heartily congratulates the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election.
“Your Excellency’s resounding victory in the just-concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election is a clear attestation that your administration’s policies and programmes and campaign message of hope and consolidation have resonated deeply with the electorate.
*** says 163 victims saved between July, November
By Francesca Hangeior
The Nigerian in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has successfully facilitated the rescue and repatriation of 13 trafficked Nigerian women from Ghana, bringing the total number of victims returned over the past five months to 163.
This was revealed in a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols.
The operation, executed through collaborative efforts, involved the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit, Rescue Live Foundation International, NIDO Ghana, and NiDCOM.
The latest group of rescued women, aged 19 to 30 years, hails from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna, and Rivers States.
It was gathered that they were lured to Ghana under false pretenses of employment but were subjected to exploitative conditions and coerced into secrecy oaths while their traffickers profited from their ordeal.
NiDCOM’s Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed her gratitude to key supporters, including Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, for their roles in ensuring the safe return of the victims.
She also praised Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman of Rescue Live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana, and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit for their commitment to prosecuting the traffickers.
Dabiri-Erewa reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes combating human trafficking and safeguarding citizens’ rights.
Upon arrival in Nigeria, the women were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, for rehabilitation and reintegration.
NiDCOM representative Akinboye Akinsola, who accompanied the women, noted that they willingly sought assistance after learning about previous rescue efforts in Ghana’s Kpone Katamanso and Tema regions.
Chief Callistus Elozieuwa highlighted the support provided to the women in Ghana, including temporary shelter, before their return to Nigeria.
Valentine Okike Uzo, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ebonyi State, commended Governor Nwifuru’s dedication to supporting indigenes both at home and abroad. He assured that measures are in place to ensure proper rehabilitation for those returning to Ebonyi State.
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#OndoDecides2024: APC congratulates Aiyedatiwa, applauds Ondo electorate
NiDCOM rescues 13 trafficked Nigerian women from Ghana
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