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2023: Money politics should not be criteria into elective positions – Kano Group

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Alhaji Usman Alhaji flanked by Dan'azimi Gwarzo and Ahmad Rabiu

Nasiru Yusuf

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, a Non Governmental Organization, Patriotic Volunteers has on Sunday said money politics should not be a criteria to elective representatives into elective offices or positions in the country.

KANO FOCUS reports that the convener of the group, Usman Alhaji stated this in Kano while unveiling the group floated to ensure best practices of democratic principles.

According to him, “Nigeria borrowed the democratic system from United States of America, USA but unfortunately we didn’t take all the best principles of democracy.

“In USA, nobody contest because he has too much money to give, it is regulated, it is based on merit and performance. I am sure without these principles, Obama wouldn’t have been the President of USA because the black people were only 12 per cent.

“Unfortunately, we have come with politics of money, no matter where the individual gets the money from. We cannot afford to have money as criteria for electing people. We cannot go on or sustain the nation on this philosophy,” Alhaji said.

He however stressed the need for citizens to also play their role of electing the best candidates based on merit and performance.

“We are patriotic and want our country to be better. If nobody is bold enough to do something then the wrong will continue forever,” he noted.

Earlier, the Acting Chairman, Steering Committee of the group, Ibrahim Gwarzo said they floated the group out of desire to contribute its quota in the process of producing credible candidates by parties which will bring about effective and accountable leadership across the board.

“With the approach of 2023 general elections, we believe there is the need to advocate entrenching democratic principles, hence the need to form a strong and viable front.

“We took time to carefully select like-mind people that share these ideas and principles,” Gwarzo however stated.

Gwarzo said the Patriotic Volunteers Association  was born out of the desire to established  a system of good leadership and governance in conformity with international standards,  Conventions and norms.

He said the association was formed out of the desire to contribute in the conduct of producing credible Candidates by parties which in effect will ensure effective and accountable leadership across the board.

He said other measures put in place by the association include registering the association with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) while efforts are under way to reach out to other groups and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOS)  with similar programs and ideals for collaborations and synergy purposes.

He said in order to  keep proper records of  their membership strength a book is provided to register interested individuals in each ward. Adding that an identity Card will be issued also  to every registered member as well as the adoption of a light blue jacket.

The politician said the Patriotic Volunteers Association is out to go against money politics as a means of sanitising Political participation based on patriotic considerations.

Meanwhile, the group whose membership is open to all and sundry already comprises of like-minded persons from professional bodies such as Lawyers, Architects and Engineers among others.

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EndBadGovernance protest: Kwankwaso slams police over arraignment of minors

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

 

Former Governor of Kano state, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has condemned the recent arraignment of 67 minors by the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja for allegedly participating in the #EndBadGovernance protest.

KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso voiced out his concern in a statement shared on his X handle on Friday

Expressing shock at the development, the NNPP leader voiced grave concern over the treatment of the children.

Kwankwaso highlighted their malnourished condition and urgent need for medical care.

“These children, who are clearly malnourished and in need of medical attention, have been subjected to a cruel experience when they should be in school.

“The arraignment of such a large number of minors in their states is highly unusual and undermines every tenet of human rights and dignity,” he added.

He stressed that it is the government’s responsibility to protect vulnerable groups from harm.

He stated, “As leaders, it is our duty to protect the most vulnerable among us, particularly children, women, the elderly, and the needy. The
government should not be at the forefront of this violation.”

Speaking on the stringent bail conditions set for the minors, he said, “It is absurd that a teenager is required to find ₦10 million and a Grade 15 civil servant as bail surety.”

Citing the Child Rights Act of 2003, he noted, “Section 11 protects the dignity of every child and shields them from any physical, mental, or emotional injury, abuse, neglect, or maltreatment.”

Calling for immediate action, he urged authorities to reconsider the charges.

“I request that the relevant authorities immediately review these charges so that the minors can return to their families and become responsible citizens,” he urged.

He also called on the Federal Government “to address the challenges of banditry, kidnapping, Boko Haram, lack of stable electricity, and harsh economic policies rather than incarcerating children.”

Earlier, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, some minors arraigned over the #EndBadGovernance protest collapsed in the courtroom, many appearing visibly malnourished after three months of incarceration.

Following their arraignment, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted bail to the #EndBadGovernance protesters, setting each bail at ₦10 million, totalling ₦760 million.

Each defendant is required to have two sureties. The judge specified that one surety must be a Level 15 civil servant, and the other must be the defendant’s parent.

The sureties are also required to submit letters of last promotion, letters of appointment, and valid identification to the court.

They must provide verified addresses, passport photographs, international passports, and swear an affidavit of means.

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Amnesty International demands release of detained #EndBadGovernance protesters

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

 

The human rights group Amnesty International has condemned the continued detention of 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters, who were arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja Friday.

KANO FOCUS reports that the Nigeria Police arrested over a thousand protesters nationwide in August, following protests held between the 1st and the 10th of August 2024, demanding an end to the hardships and hunger caused by the policies of the Tinubu administration.

Among the 76 protesters arraigned were some minors, who appeared visibly malnourished after spending months in detention. One of the minors collapsed in court before being provided with biscuits and water.

Amnesty International stated that the attempt to charge the minors with treason demonstrated “the government’s utter disregard for the rule of law,” while also calling for their immediate and unconditional release.

“Amnesty International condemns President Bola Tinubu’s government for the continued detention of minors who participated in the August #EndBadGovernance protests. The attempts to subject these minors to a sham trial over alleged ‘treason’ demonstrate the government’s utter disregard for the rule of law. Authorities must release them immediately and unconditionally,” they stated.

The group also highlighted cases of unlawful arrests involving 12 minors in Katsina during the protests, as well as 43 others facing charges of treason at the Federal High Court in Abuja. They warned that the Nigerian authorities were escalating their efforts to deprive people of their right to peaceful protest through unlawful detentions and sham trials.

It stated, “In Katsina, at least 12 children under 16 years old were detained merely for being on the streets during the #EndBadGovernance protests. These children, with their entire lives ahead of them, are now at risk of being tried on fabricated charges.

“The unlawful detention of these minors, subjecting them to traumatic experiences for exercising their right to peaceful protest, is unacceptable. The government must release all of them immediately and unconditionally.”

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Sunusi Bature Aims to Eradicate Sickle Cell Births in Kano by 2034

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Mukhtar Yahya Usman

In a determined push to eliminate sickle cell disease in Kano State, Malam Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, spokesperson for the Kano State Governor, has set an ambitious target: no child born with sickle cell by 2034.

Announcing this commitment during the foundation-laying of the Sadiq Maddibo Memorial Quranic Centre in Dawakin Tofa, Bature outlined the state’s focused approach to tackling the disease.

He revealed his collaboration with the sickle cell community to launch a comprehensive advocacy program aimed at eliminating sickle cell births across Kano.

“With careful planning and a unified strategy, we can make sickle cell births a thing of the past in Kano State, insha’Allah,” Bature said.

Central to this vision is the Kano Pre-Marital Law, which mandates genetic screening for couples, ensuring that marriages between carriers are avoided.

This law, supported by local religious leaders, aims to curb the genetic transmission of sickle cell disease.

Bature, who lost a son to sickle cell complications and has another child currently battling the condition, highlighted the devastating effects of the disease.

“Sickle cell is more dangerous than HIV,” he stated.

“It is our collective responsibility as citizens, advocates, and leaders to spread awareness and prevent high-risk marriages.”

Reflecting on his late son Sadiq’s lifelong struggle with sickle cell, marked by thousands of hospital visits and treatments, Bature stressed the critical role of pre-marital genetic testing in safeguarding future generations.

“This is a preventable tragedy,” he urged, calling on all residents to comply with the state’s mandatory testing to create a brighter, healthier future for Kano’s children.

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