Headlines
Buhari goofed on June 12 – Junaidu Muhammad
Nasiru Yusuf
A second republic parliamentarian Junaidu Muhammad has faulted President Muhammad Buhari’s declaration of June 12 as a Democracy day in Nigeria.
Mr Muhammad who represented Kano municipal federal constituency in the House of Representatives during the second republic said this in an exclusive interview with Kano Focus.
According to him both May 29 declared by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Buhari’s June 12 are irrelevant to the attainment of democracy in Nigeria.
“The declaration of June 12 as Democracy day is entirely irrelevant. “The crux of issue is that, the former president (Obasanjo) came and celebrated his own coming to power, and declared it as democracy day.
“Now another President (Buhari) under pressure has now decided to change it to another day.
“Both exercises are irrelevant because they are irrelevant to the attainment of democracy in Nigeria.
“Nigeria was democracy before both Obasanjo and Buhari became president.
“And both of them were involved in truncating our democracy. “Buhari was part of the group who came to power under Murtala, he was the governor of Northeast, later minister of petroleum and chairman of NNPC.
“Obasanjo was also part of that group who came to power in 1975 under Murtala.
“Later both of them got involved in politics, and as a result both became presidents,” he said.
Why not 1st October?
The politician argued that October 1st would have been the best day for celebrating democracy in Nigeria, as it was the day the country got its independence from the British government.
This according to him is more legitimate, as it is not the choice of military or any government in power, but democratically elected representatives.
“But the idea that June 12 is the actual date of election is neither here nor there.
“Because we are talking of June 12 of 1990s, we got independence in 1960.
“That was over thirty years ago when we had a strong measure of democratic governance.
This cannot be denied. It is historically verifiable,” Mr Junaidu said.
June 12 is a fraud
On the candidature of late MKO Abiola and Bashir Tofa in June 12 election, Mr Muhammad described them as military protégés who were installed to enable soldiers continue exercising power from the background after they step aside.
He argued that, the military plan failed, because the election was massively rigged and their favored candidate performed poorly, hence, they annulled the election.
On the proponents of June 12 election agitation, Dr Muhammad said no responsible person will beat his chest and claim to have won the election due to his hard work and political strategy.
He noted that, it is a fruitless effort and a waste of time to engage in counter argument on the validity or otherwise of June 12 election.
“The idea that some group of educated elites like NADECO or whatever they call themselves decided to now claim ownership, and promoted NADECO agitation into some kind of massive political stardom is mischievous and misguided.
“Because once you look at the result of the election, the people who actually delivered the alleged winner of the June 12 election were not the people of Southern Nigeria.
“It is the people from other parts of the country who voted him and enabled him to be claimed as the winner of the election.
“As far as I am concerned only a bloody fool will say oh, we won the election or even celebrate the outcome of the election as a result of their hard work or their agitation or their political maneuvering. “And those who want reply them are also equally wasting their time because the outcome of June 12 annulled election does not in any way confer any legitimacy to any politician or political party now in existence or those who tried to step aside.” Mr. Junaidu said.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has announced that its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) remains unchanged, reaffirming its commitment to stability in Nigeria’s domestic energy market.
In a statement issued by Esan Sunday, Head of Media Relations, Branding and Communication, the company said sustaining the current price reflects its efforts to cushion the broader economy against external shocks. It noted that by absorbing prevailing cost pressures, the refinery is helping to moderate inflationary risks, promote energy affordability, and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply amid ongoing global uncertainties.
The company reiterated its dedication to the steady supply of high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market, while aligning with national objectives of price stability and energy security.
It also urged the public to rely solely on official communications from the refinery for accurate and up-to-date information regarding its operations and pricing.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo on his emergence as the Deputy Governor of Kano State following his swearing-in on Tuesday.
KANO FOCUS reports that Garo was sworn in by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf after being nominated to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former deputy governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Garo’s appointment as a positive step toward strengthening unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State.
The President noted that the 48-year-old politician has held several public offices, including Chairman of Kabo Local Government Area and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the administration of former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. He also served as the APC governorship running mate in the 2023 general elections.
Tinubu commended Governor Yusuf for the appointment, urging political stakeholders in the state to rally behind the administration to ensure stability and progress.
He also called on the new deputy governor to work closely with the governor in delivering effective leadership and accelerating development in Kano State.
The President wished Garo success in his new role.
Ibrahim Khalil
A dramatic political moment unfolded in Kano on Tuesday as former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje publicly acknowledged Muhammad Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and Chairman of the Kano State Council of Emirs.
KANO FOCUS reports that the unexpected gesture occurred during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo, at Government House, Kano—an event attended by top political leaders and traditional rulers.
While delivering his goodwill message, Ganduje addressed Sanusi by his full royal title, drawing immediate attention from dignitaries at the ceremony. The audience responded with loud applause when he greeted the Emir and recognised his position as head of the Kano Emirate Council.
The development is particularly significant given the long-standing rift between the two figures. Sanusi was removed from the throne during Ganduje’s administration, a decision that sparked widespread political and legal controversy at the time.
However, the political landscape shifted following the emergence of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, under whose administration Sanusi was reinstated as Emir of Kano.
Observers say Ganduje’s public acknowledgment signals a possible easing of tensions and may point to broader efforts at reconciliation within Kano’s political and traditional institutions.
The moment has since been described by analysts as a “twist of fate” in Kano politics, where former rivalries appear to be giving way to cautious gestures of respect among key actors.
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