Headlines
Commemorating NEPU’s 70th anniversary – Tanko Yakasai
Today the 8th of August, 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the formation of the Northern Elements Peoples Union (NEPU), the first and only political party in the history of Nigeria, formed solely not only to fight oppression and exploitation of the common man the Talakawa by the ruling class in Northern Nigeria, but also for the unity, freedom and independence of our motherland, Nigeria.
It is in the cause of championing that commitment to liberate the oppressed and promote unity of the people of Nigeria that NEPU entered into alliance with National Council of Nigeria and Camerouns (NCNC), led by the doyen of Nigerian nationalism and first president of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe GCON during colonial era and the First Republic political activism in the history of our country.
The ultimate objective of the NEPU/NCNC alliance was for the two parties to eventually merge into a formidable party that will belong to all Nigerians regardless of their ethnic, sectional or religious background just as the VISION and MISSION of the founders of the National Party of Nigeria, NPN, during the Second Republic.
It was the fear of that eventuality that made the British colonial rulers of Nigeria at that time to incite traditional institutions and reactionary elements in northern Nigeria to subject NEPU and its members to unprecedented harassment, wide spread intimidation of arrests, imprisonment and persecution with the sole aim of scaring the educated elements in northern Nigeria to distance themselves from coming out to support the struggle of the party during colonial era and the politics of the First Republic.
That situation led to the paucity of intellectuals among the leading cadres of the party in large numbers.
The situation also led to the stagnation of progress of the NEPU in its struggle for the emancipation of the downtrodden in the North thereby hampering the efforts of forging national unity and success of progressive politics in our national development efforts.
The outcome was the perpetuation of ignorance and lack of enlightenment in the area which constitutes serious drawback of Nigeria’s march to progress and national development.
Liberation of the Talakawa
But in spite of that, all hopes were not lost as the emergence of NEPU engineered the sprouting of many opposition parties in the north at that time resulting in the emergence of political parties opposed to colonial rule such as Borno Youth Movement (BYM), Ibira Progressive Union (IPU), Middle Belt Peoples Party (MBPP), Ilorin Talaka Parapo (ITP), Katagum People’s Party (KPP) Habe Tribal Union (HTU) and many others during the period under reference – the formation of which resulted in widening the scope of revolt against colonial and feudal domination in northern Nigeria and enhanced the resilience of the peoples’ resolve to liberate themselves from domination and exploitation.
Another achievement associated with the emergence of NEPU was the political awareness among the downtrodden masses of northern Nigeria otherwise known as the talakawa.
All the subsequent political developments in northern Nigeria such as the emergence of United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC), Great Nigerian People’s Party (GNPP) People’s Redemption Party (PRP) and others, were born out of the sacrifices the militants in the NEPU promoted and endured.
As one of the remaining leaders of the NEPU still alive I salute the uncommon courage and fortitude displayed by the political activists in Northern Nigeria in fighting the combined forces of British colonialism and imperialism in collaboration with indigenous reactionary forces in the region in particular and the country in general both fallen and those still alive.
All the political progress made in promoting national unity in Nigeria drew inspiration from the example of collaborative efforts of the NEPU/NCNC alliance and other patriots.
May the souls of the departed comrades of the struggle for the emancipation of the talakawas who paved the way for the political awareness and national liberation in the Nigeria’s political development rest in peace.
I also wish those of us who are still alive to rededicate our resolve to safeguard the unity, freedom and wellbeing of the Nigerian nation and its people.
Long live the struggle for the emancipation of the common man in Nigeria and for our National unity, peace and prosperity.
Tanko Yakasai OFR is a former National Publicity Secretary of NEPU.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has sworn in six newly appointed commissioners, three advisers and 19 permanent secretaries as part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve service delivery in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the ceremony followed the confirmation of the six commissioner nominees by the Kano State House of Assembly on October 26, 2026, after completing the legislative screening process.
The newly sworn-in commissioners are Air Commodore Salisu Yusha’u (retd.), assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security and Special Services; Ibrahim Namadi Dala, Investment; Prof. Sani Lawan Manunfashi, Higher Education; Muktar Ishaq Yakasai, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, Science and Technology; and Idris Garba Mustapha, Special Duties.
In a related development, the governor announced a minor cabinet reshuffle involving the redeployment of two commissioners to different ministries.
Under the new arrangement, Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, who previously served as Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, has been moved to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
Similarly, Hamza Kachaco has been redeployed to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle leaves the Ministries of Information and Internal Affairs, as well as Solid Minerals and Mineral Resources, vacant pending further decisions by the state government.
According to a statement issued by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the appointments and redeployments are aimed at strengthening government institutions, improving administrative efficiency and repositioning key ministries for effective service delivery.
The governor urged the new appointees to demonstrate dedication, integrity and commitment to their responsibilities, stressing the need to prioritise public interest and contribute to the development of the state.
He also charged them to work collaboratively in advancing his administration’s development agenda and delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
Gov Yusuf congratulated the appointees and wished them success in their respective assignments.
Ibrahim Khalil
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has redeployed the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, to the Ministry of Youths and Sports as part of a cabinet reshuffle involving eight ministries.
KANO FOCUS reports that under the new arrangement, Waiya moves from the Ministry of Information to the Ministry of Youths and Sports, while Hon. Hamza Safyanu Kachako has been transferred from the Ministry of Mineral Resources to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle also assigns new commissioners to several ministries.
Hon. Yushau Soja has been assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security, while Hon. Idris Garba Mustapha will oversee the Ministry of Special Duties.
Similarly, Hon. Muntari Ishaq Yakasai has been assigned to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and Hon. Ibrahim Namadi Dala will head the Ministry of Commerce.
Other appointments include Hon. Ibrahim Tsanyawa as Commissioner for Science and Technology and Prof. Sani Lawal as Commissioner for Higher Education.
The reshuffle affects eight ministries, with the changes involving both new portfolio assignments and the redeployment of serving commissioners.
Headlines
Albasu APC ieaders accuse council chairman, state assembly member of anti-party activities
They accuse council chairman, state lawmaker of supporting opposition senatorial candidate
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Albasu Local Government Area of Kano State have petitioned Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the party’s State Working Committee over alleged anti-party activities involving the council chairman, Garba Aliyu Hungu, and the member representing Albasu Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Musa Tahir Hungu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the petitioners accused the two officials of maintaining political relationships with Kasim Ibrahim Bataiya, the New Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate for Kano South, and allegedly working against the interests of the APC and its candidate, Senator Kawu Sumaila.
The petition, reportedly signed by more than 300 party officials and stakeholders across the wards and local government area, urged the governor and the party leadership to investigate the allegations and determine whether the conduct of the two officials violated the APC constitution.
According to the petitioners, the relationship between the officials and Bataiya predated their emergence as APC candidates, alleging that the NDC candidate had played a role in securing their previous political tickets.
They claimed that the relationship had continued despite their current political affiliations, raising concerns about their loyalty to the APC.
The petitioners further alleged that some elected councillors, political appointees and local government party officials had participated in activities organised by Bataiya, including attending his campaign rallies and mobilising support for his senatorial ambition.
One of the allegations was that the local government chairman provided the council’s town hall for political meetings and the launch of Bataiya’s senatorial campaign.
The stakeholders also accused the chairman and the lawmaker of frustrating efforts by party elders to investigate the alleged involvement of some APC councillors and executive committee members in the opposition candidate’s campaign activities.
They said a fact-finding committee was constituted under the leadership of Dr Yunusa Adamu Dangwani to examine the allegations but claimed that the two officials prevented it from carrying out its assignment.
The petitioners also alleged that the local government leadership failed to organise meetings with members of the APC legacy group despite what they described as directives from the governor and the party leadership.
They said one meeting was eventually held through the intervention of the member representing Albasu, Gaya and Ajingi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, but subsequent attempts to convene further meetings allegedly failed due to the chairman’s lack of commitment.
On the distribution of government empowerment programmes, the petitioners alleged that benefits intended for APC members and supporters were often diverted to individuals considered loyal to the NDC senatorial candidate.
They expressed concern that genuine APC members in the area were being marginalised and called for greater accountability in the distribution of government interventions.
The petition also cited the mobilisation of party members for the presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna, alleging that while other local governments provided at least 30 buses for the exercise, Albasu provided only 17.
Another issue raised was the continued participation of the serving Amirul Hajj in NDC activities. The petitioners alleged that the individual had retired from public service about two years ago but had yet to be replaced by the local government leadership.
They argued that the alleged activities could undermine party discipline, unity and the APC’s electoral prospects in Albasu and the wider Kano South Senatorial District.
The stakeholders consequently urged Governor Yusuf, whom they described as the party leader in Kano State, and the State Working Committee to examine the allegations under Article 21 of the APC constitution and determine whether the conduct of the two officials amounts to punishable anti-party activities.
However, they called for a fair and impartial process, urging the party leadership to invite the accused officials to respond to the allegations before taking any disciplinary action.
The petitioners maintained that their action was intended to protect the party’s interests, promote accountability and strengthen its unity at the grassroots, rather than malign any individual or prejudge the outcome of an investigation.
The petition was signed by Hon. Adamu Abdu Fanda, Caucus Chairman; Hon. Wada Ibrahim Daho, Caucus Secretary; former Kano State House of Assembly member, Hon. Sunusi Usman Bataiya; Isyaka Danyaya, Albasu APC Deputy Chairman; and other local government and ward officials.
Efforts to contact Garba Aliyu Hungu and Musa Tahir Hungu for their reactions to the allegations were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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