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2023: Money politics should not be criteria into elective positions – Kano Group
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.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has vowed to appeal the judgement of the governorship election tribunal which nullified his election and declared the APC candidate, Nasiru Yusuf Gawauna as the winner.
KANO FOCUS reports that Yusuf made the declaration on Wednesday night, while making a broadcast to the people of the state.
He said his legal team had been directed to appeal the judgement at the court of appeal in order to reclaim the mandate given to him by the people of the State.
He, therefore, Called on the good people of the state to remain calm and continue to be law abiding as security agents have been directed to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizens.
“Let me assure you that the this government would continue to work for the development of the people of the state as the judgement will never dampen our spirit or discourage us from the good work we have started.” he said.
The Governor, who thanked the people of the state for their continued support and cooperation, urged them to go about with normal activities.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Tuesday, said that Kano State has recorded 5,800 suspected cases of Diphtheria from January to date.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Head, UNICEF Field Office, Kano, Mr Rahama Mohammned-Farah, stated this in Kano during a one-day media orientation on Diphtheria outbreak.
The UN Agency said the cases were recorded in 39 local government areas of the state.
According to him, Kano State has the highest number of recorded cases in the country, adding that Diphtheria was a highly contagious and infectious disease that could cause death.
Mohammned-Farah stressed that proactive measures were necessary to stem the outbreak.
“Recently, we have seen a surge in the number of reported Diphtheria cases in Nigeria, and Nigeria is currently facing an outbreak that needs to be stopped and prevented.
“As of July, Diphtheria cases have been on the rise. As of last week, over 400 suspected cases with 11 deaths have been reported in Kano.
“Out of the 39 LGAs affected, eight are the most affected, including Ungogo with 2,651 cases; Dala 989, Fagge 943, Gwale 714, Kumbotso 713, Nasarawa 538, Kano Municipal 506 and Tarauni 269,” he said.
He said that 60.8 per cent of the suspected cases had been reported in children not vaccinated, which reinforced the critical need to address the issue of zero doses, especially in Kano State.
“UNICEF delivered 1.2 million vaccines to the Kano State Government in our continuing support to the government response to Diphtheria outbreak.
“Diphtheria outbreak is a threat to child survival, health and the wellbeing of children. UNICEF is collaborating with government and partners to respond to the emergency to save the lives of children affected.
“In Kano state, UNICEF supported Tetanus-Diphtheria reactive vaccination campaigns in February, April and August, vaccinating 23,200 children in round one.
“While 277,796 children vaccinated in round two and 29,500 others in round-3 of the exercise.
“We engaged 150 traditional leaders on Diphtheria outbreak and distribution of Diphtheria IEC materials, and deployed 1,500 VCMs to the worst affected LGAs to conduct house-to-house sensitisations and referral of suspected cases to health facilities.
“Media has a key role to play particularly in infection prevention, and risk communication and community engagement,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Muhammad Nasir-Mahmoud, the Director-General, Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, said the state government had adopted drastic measures to curtail spread of the disease.
“We are committed towards educating the public about what is happening and the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has promised that Kano will be accorded priority in terms of vaccine distribution,” he said.
While describing the media as partners in the fight against Diphtheria, Nasir-Mahmoud urged them to support the campaign against the disease.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Interparty Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) has urged the judges of the Kano election petition tribunal court to discharge its duties with utmost integrity and impartiality.
KANO FOCUS reports that this was contained in a statement issued by the organization secretary Kano chapter Nuhu Idris on Tuesday.
IPAC also called upon the tribunal to consider each case diligently and ensure that all the parties involved are given equal opportunities to present their argument and evidence.
It could be recalled that the election tribunal has fixed Wednesday 20th September 2023 to deliver judgment on APC’s petition against Abba Kabir Yusuf.
A hearing notice issued by the Secretary of the election petition tribunal on Monday said the judgment would be delivered at 9.00 a.m., at the High Court of Miller Road in Kano.
Mr Idris said the organization has acknowledged the importance of the electoral process in a democratic society, where the voice and choice of the people are paramount.
He said the ongoing legal proceedings before the tribunal are a testament to the vibrancy of democracy and the resolve of citizens to seek redress through legal means.
“IPAC firmly believes that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.
“We, Therefore, implore the tribunal to maintain transparency in its proceedings allowing the public and all concerned parties to have confidence in the outcome of the legal process, the statement said.
He added that it is essential that the tribunal’s decisions are guided by the rule of law and the facts presented, rather than any external influence.
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