Headlines
Salihu Tanko: Ganduje playing politics with aides’ sack – Shaaban Sharada
I read with dismay a statement by the sacked media aide of Kano state governor in the person of Salihu Tanko Yakasai that the All Progressives Congress led- government has failed Nigerians while calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign.
It is unfortunate to see such a controversial statement coming from an aide of a governor of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) despite efforts of the APC Extraordinary Convention Committee led by His Excellency Mai Mala Buni.
The statement is uncalled for and smacks of an attempted sabotage to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and it further brings to the fore the ignorance of the said aide on how security architecture works.
Since the abduction of the Jangebe Students, I have spoken with relevant security chiefs who have assured me of efforts they are making to rescue the girls safely.
In defense of Salihu Tanko Yakasai
My relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari – Salihu Tanko Yakasai
Instead of Yakasai to exploit his privilege by praying for the successful rescue of the school girls by security operatives under the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari, he is rather ridiculing their efforts through a series of unwarranted media attacks that are seen as an attempt to instigate fear in the victims’ parents and mislead the general public to tarnish the image of the APC led government.
Buhari has improved security
It is on record that the security situation of the country has improved since the assumption of Buhari as President.
Essentially, the nature of insecurity prior to the Buhari administration is different from the current security situation in the country.
If you could recall, there was a time when our daughters, sisters and wives of both basic and tertiary institutions cannot go to school without going through a thorough search.
The market was a no go place, places of worship became places to fear, while a one or two hours journey became a 10-hour journey due to stop and searches by security men on the roads.
All those measures did not stop terrorists from bombing mosques, churches, markets, and motor parks etc.
A typical example is the 2014 Kano central mosque bomb blast that claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people in a day.
The insecurity was not restricted to the North West and North East alone, as it escalated to the Federal Capital Territory where terrorists attacked the United Nations building in Abuja.
It is a mark of the improved security situation in the country that the recently abducted Kagara Students were released last Saturday.
The process that the government followed in ensuring the release of these students safely will be applied to rescue the Jangebe Students In sha Allah as I’ve been assured by the relevant security agencies and the governor of the state as well.
Yakasai playing Ganduje’s script
Yakasai’s attack is not surprising though, as he might be acting under the command of his principal, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje who is known for speaking from both sides of his mouth.
Ganduje had last year suspended Yakasai over a statement accusing the President of lacking empathy during the EndSARS protest.
Attack on Buhari: Ganduje suspends media aide
It was alleged that the governor planned the suspension like a movie where he promised to reinstate him back. This came to pass some months later.
It is obvious that his current purported sack has a political undertone.
It would be recalled that one of Ganduje’s Commissioners celebrated the death of Chief of Staff Mallam Abba Kyari last year.
The governor in his usual manner of playing to the gallery and after pressure by Nigerians decided to sack the Commissioner but later appointed him to serve in various government committees including the Chairmanship of the AKK Gas Pipeline implementation Committee in Kano.
This is how the governor is working closely with people that personally berate President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ganduje sabotaging the APC
Ganduje’s sabotage does not stop there; he has a good relationship with members of the opposition whom he appointed into juicy positions while other party members are kept aside.
Example of this is the Commissioner for water resources who is a card carrying member of the PDP.
His anti-party activities against the All Progressives Congress and other efforts he is making in frustrating party members in the state is an attempt to weaken the party because he has sensed that his political ambition in 2023 is looking unachievable.
A Commissioner for Education in his government was also seen displaying a ballot paper where he voted for PDP in the recent bye election at Kiru/Bebeji Constituency.
This is a sabotage to our party at a time we are trying to reconcile warring party members across states to further strengthen the capacity of the APC in the 2023 election.
The recent party registration and revalidation exercise in Kano was not a success as Ganduje was the decider of who should be registered or not as the revalidation documents were domiciled in the government house.
I’m a victim of this as I was denied revalidation of my APC membership at my ward in Sharada, despite being a stakeholder and member of the House of Representatives in the state.
Even an ordinary member of the party doesn’t deserve this, especially when the party is targeting 25 million members.
Why is this injustice being meted out on members of the defunct CPC and loyalists of President Buhari?
Of all the Commissioners down to local government Chairmen and top government appointees, there is none from the defunct CPC.
I’m in contact with relevant security agencies and I am aware of efforts they are making to restore the security of our dear nation.
Nigeria is one, we should keep ethnic, religious and political sentiments aside, and we should tell the truth in real sense and not personal attack.
As a loyalist of the President who has worked closely with him, I know his commitment to seeing a prosperous, peaceful and united Nigeria.
His patriotism, transparency, and accountability is a testimony to his love for this country.
Hon. Shaaban Ibrahim Sharada represents Kano Municipal in the House of Representatives and chairs the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
Headlines
NAHCON Secures ₦19 Billion Cost Reduction for 2026 Hajj, Pilgrims to Save Over ₦200,000 Each
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a ₦19 billion cost reduction for the 2026 Hajj, following a successful negotiation with Saudi service providers and Nigeria’s State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Abdullahi Sale Usman, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kano on the outcome of his recent official visit to Saudi Arabia. He explained that the deal translates to a direct saving of more than ₦200,000 per pilgrim. Nigeria has been allocated 66,910 Hajj slots for the 2026 pilgrimage.
During the visit, NAHCON signed key service contracts with Mashariq Dhahabiyya for Masha’ir operations and Daleel Al-Ma’aleem for transportation. It also secured better accommodation and feeding arrangements in the Markaziyya area of Madinah at competitive rates.
Professor Sale further announced the official fares for the 2026 Hajj as follows:
Maiduguri/Yola: ₦8.12 million
Other northern states: ₦8.24 million
Southern states: ₦8.56 million
He stressed that State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards must remit 50 percent of the fares by October 8, 2025, while full payments from intending pilgrims are due by December 31, 2025.
“The deadlines are critical to enable early bookings and smooth operations,” he said, reaffirming NAHCON’s commitment to delivering a hitch-free Hajj exercise in 2026.
The NAHCON boss also appealed to the media for sustained support in sensitizing the public, noting that effective collaboration will ensure that the commission achieves its goals for Nigerians
… As Gov. Yusuf Condemns CP Bakori’s Partisan Conduct
… Demands His Immediate Removal for Sabotage, Unethical Behaviour
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has condemned in the strongest terms the unprofessional and partisan conduct of the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, describing his actions as deliberate sabotage against the people of Kano and the Nigerian state.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor expressed outrage over the sudden withdrawal of police participation from the 2025 Independence Day celebration in Kano — an order CP Bakori issued just hours before the commencement of the event.
Governor Yusuf said the action was a clear demonstration of bias, insubordination, and betrayal of the Nigeria Police Force’s constitutional duty.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Kano State, we cannot tolerate sabotage to the peace, security, and wellbeing of our citizens. It is disgraceful that a Commissioner of Police would descend so low into partisan politics by boycotting a national event that symbolizes unity, patriotism, and democracy,” Governor Yusuf stated.
The governor accused CP Bakori of consistently aligning with political interests opposed to the will of the people of Kano, thereby eroding public trust in the police command. He described the CP as a “political police officer” who has abandoned professionalism and is actively undermining democracy.
“The police must never be seen as tools of politicians. They are expected to protect all Nigerians, regardless of political leanings. Unfortunately, CP Bakori has turned himself into a willing instrument of division and insecurity in Kano State,” the statement added.
Governor Yusuf therefore led the voices of Kano stakeholders who were present at the 2025 Independence Day Celebration at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, in calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Inspector General of Police to immediately remove CP Bakori from office and replace him with a competent and non-partisan officer who will restore confidence, fairness, and neutrality in policing Kano State.
The stakeholders who joined their voices with that of the Governor included traditional and religious leaders, NNPP members of the state and national assemblies, the business community, youth groups, and labour organizations.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and properties of the people, stressing that no act of sabotage from compromised security officials will succeed in destabilizing Kano under his watch.
He also commended the efforts of other security agencies in the state — with the exception of the police.
Governor Yusuf appreciated the leadership of the state commands of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Federal Fire Service, and the State Directorate of Security Services, all of whom participated in the 2025 Independence Parade.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Dr. Musa Mohammed Bello, State Focal Person for the African Health Budget Network (AHBN), announced significant progress in a Gavi-funded immunization project implemented in collaboration with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) across Sokoto, Kano, Bauchi, and Borno states since September 2023.
KANO FOCUS reports that the project has recorded notable reductions in the number of zero-dose children those who have not received any vaccines particularly in Kano, where 15 local governments were identified as high-burden areas.
During a recent review meeting focusing on Kano State, stakeholders assessed successes and challenges related to immunization budget allocation, vaccine supply chain disruptions, cold chain management, and access to immunization services by parents and caregivers.
Dr. Bello commended the Kano State government for consistently allocating above 15% of the budget to health surpassing the Abuja Declaration recommendation but pointed out issues with approval and release of funds that hinder smooth project implementation.
He also stressed the need for Kano State to reduce its heavy reliance on donor funding from partners such as WHO, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by strengthening local counterpart contributions. Isyaku Lawan Dawakin from Kano State Bureau of Statistics emphasized the value of peer learning activities to close knowledge gaps and boost vaccine outreach.
Dr. Bello further highlighted the strengthening of advocacy and government relationships through the 2023-2024 Accountability Scorecard initiative, which has enabled better communication and cooperation with key government committees on health and appropriation. Evidence-based advocacy built on decentralized immunization monitoring assessments by AFENET has helped identify specific challenges at the local government and health facility levels, informing targeted interventions.
He presented recent data from September 2025 showing high reporting rates from primary health care facilities on routine immunization services via SMS across the targeted local governments, reflecting increased monitoring and responsiveness. The project has fostered deeper understanding of the budgetary process among civil society and health stakeholders, contributing to increased awareness and coordinated action to address zero-dose children.
Crucially, Dr. Bello revealed that Kano State has seen a tremendous decrease in zero-dose children—from over 539,000 in 2020 to around 120,000 by December 2024—attributed to collaborative government and partner efforts.
This achievement underscores the positive impact of strengthened immunization systems, accountability frameworks, and partner coordination in improving child health outcomes across the region.
”This initiative forms part of a broader push to improve immunization coverage and accountability in West Africa, aiming to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated and vulnerable to preventable diseases,” he said.
Isyaku Lawan Dawakin Tofa from Kano State Bureau of Statistics emphasized the value of peer learning activities to close knowledge gaps and boost vaccine outreach.
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