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Gales of defection rocks Kano APC as Ganduje’s Chief of staff, Kofa, Sumaila defect to NNPP
Nasiru Yusuf
The gale of defection in Kano APC continued on Friday, with the chief of staff to governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Ali Makoda, Director General of Bola Tinubu’s pesidential campaign, Abdulmumin Jibrin, and former Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Legislative Affairs Kawu Sumaila, dumped the party and joined the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
KANO FOCUS reports that Makoda announced his defection to NNPP on Friday shortly after tendering his resignation letter to governor Ganduje.
He has since visited the residence of former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso with other other notable politicians who defected along with him.
Notable among those who defected from APC to NNPP is the Director General of Bola Tinubu’s pesidential campaign, Abdulmumin Jibrin.
The former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, few days ago, announced on his social media handle of his decision to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) due to irreconcilable differences in the party.
Although, he was silent on his next political move, his defection to NNPP may have dealt a major blow on Tinubu’s presidential ambition.
Another prominent politician who announced his defection to NNPP on Friday is former Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Legislative Affairs Kawu Sumaila.
Although, Sumaila did not issue any formal complaint and reason for leaving APC, the former minority leader of House of Representatives mobilised APC members and loyalists to denounce APC.
Others are member representing Dambatta/Makoda Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives Badamasi Ayuba, member representing Dambatta in the state House of Assembly and Murtala Musa Kore and serving chairman of Dambatta Local Government Council Abdullahi Wango.
The remaining politicians who defected to NNPP on Friday include the State Auditor of APC, Ahmed Speaker; zonal APC Youth Leader, Najib Abdussalam; former chairman of Makoda Local Government, Umar Maitsidau; former member of the House of Assembly representing Rimingado/Tofa Halliru Danga Maigari, and former member of the state House of Assembly representing Dambatta Constituency Hafizu Sani Maidaji.
The former governor of Kano and Senator Ibrahim Shekarau representing Kano Central may formally announce his defection from the APC this weekend.
It was gathered that Shekarau’s decision to dump APC was arrived at the stakeholders’ consultative meeting this week.
Ganduje accompanied by state APC chairman Abdullahi Abbas have on Friday night visited Shekarau to persuade him not leave the party.
Shekarau’s spokesperson Sule Yau Sule on Saturday told BBC Hausa that Mr Ganduje had visited Shekarau at his residence while he was having a meeting with his political associates on his next political step.
Sule said shortly after Ganduje left, some prominent APC bigwigs who defected to NNPP visited the residence of Shekarau to persuade him to join NNPP.
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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Former Vice President, Architect Muhammad Namadi Sambo, has commended the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his bold decision to declare a state of emergency on education in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Sambo, who paid a condolence visit to Governor Yusuf over the death of renowned business mogul and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, expressed admiration for the administration’s commitment to infrastructural renewal.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Monday.
“As an architect, I am particularly passionate about the ongoing rehabilitation and beautification of the Kano Government House,” Sambo noted.
“I was very happy and have been looking forward to the opportunity to commend you in person.”
He described the Governor’s efforts as “giant strides,” adding that the infrastructural transformation under the Yusuf-led administration is evident across Kano.
“Mr. Governor, you are doing well,” the former Vice President added. “I have been following the news, and on my arrival to Kano, I personally noticed the impressive infrastructural developments everywhere. You have effectively turned the Government House into a construction site.”
Governor Yusuf thanked the former Vice President for his visit and words of encouragement, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring Kano’s glory through purposeful governance and people-oriented projects.
His Excellency Namadi Sambo was in cimpany of Chairman Unity Bank, former Director General of NEMA Muhammad Sani Sidi and a host of others.
In another development, Sen. Abubakar Sani Bello led another powerful delegation to condole with the Governor and the good people of Kano over the death of late Alhaji Amunu Dantata.
The former Governor of Niger state was accompanied by Sen. Bashir Garba Lado, Sen. Muhammad Ibn Na’Allah, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Abacha among others.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project has organized a sensitization workshop for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) clubs in 50 secondary schools across Kano State.
KANO FOCUS reports that that ten students, who were selected from each participating school, received the training on understanding GBV, preventive measures, and appropriate actions to take when faced with such situations.
Speaking at the closing of the training on Friday, Bashir Kabir Rabi’u, the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) officer of the AGILE Project in Kano State, said the workshop was aimed at raising awareness among female students on how to recognize and avoid GBV, as well as how to respond effectively if it occurs.
“This workshop brought together 50 school-based clubs established to fight GBV.
“We trained 10 students from each school to equip them with knowledge about gender-based violence,” he stated.
Rabi’u noted that the awareness campaign is part of efforts to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for students.
He explained that the AGILE Project, which is supported by the World Bank in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Education, facilitated the program.
In her remarks, the Principal of Kukar Bulikiya Girls Secondary School, Hannatu Ado Gwaram, commended the AGILE program for organizing the training.
She pledged that the school would continue sensitizing students on ways to avoid becoming victims of GBV.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event also featured drama presentations and educative plays aimed at driving home the message of gender-based violence prevention.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Partnership For Learning For All in Nigeria (PLANE) in collaboration with Kano state government has commenced a 5-day workshop to develop a 2026-2028 Medium-Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) aimed at enhancing quality education.
KANO FOCUS reports that the workshop brings together stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, Budget and Planning, Finance, Development Partners, and Civil Society Organisations.
Speaking at the occasion, Commissioner of Education Dr Ali Haruna Makoda said Kano State Government has allocated 31.5% of its 2025 budget to boost quality education in the state.
According to him the budgetary allocation is part of a strategic plan to achieve quality education through due process and implementation.
Dr. Makoda emphasised the importance of strategic planning and implementation in achieving better results in the education sector.
He urged participants to implement what they would learn for the betterment of the state education sector.
Participants at the occasion
The Technical Adviser to the Governor on Education Reforms, Haladu Mohammed, explained that the workshop would create a solid foundation for a 3-year education plan to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people in the state.
This initiative demonstrates the Kano State Government’s commitment to improving the education sector, aligning with its recent efforts to enhance education quality.
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