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Abba Kabir Yusuf shuns NMA gubernatorial debate on healthcare
Nasiru Yusuf
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) governorship candidate Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf, has boycotted the gubernatorial candidate debate on healthcare, organised by Kano branch of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Thursday.
KANO FOCUS reports that Yusuf did not also send his running mate, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam to represent him at the debate attended by five gubernatorial candidates.
However, speaking at the beginning of the programme, a former Commissioner of Health and member of NNPP Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf presented an excuse on behalf of Engr Yusuf, saying that he was unavoidably absent, alongside his running mate, Abdulsalam.
Governorship candidates who participated in the debate
According to him, the governorship candidate received the invitation letter for the debate late while he was already out of town.
Dr Labaran also told the organisers that he wants to represent the NNPP governorship candidate, but the NMA leadership refuse to oblige, insisting that only governorship candidates or running mate will be allowed to participate.
Also Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Sadiq Aminu Wali, and that of Social Democratic Party (SDP) Bala Muhammad Gwagwarwa were conspicuously absent at the debate.
Governorship candidates in the debate
Governorship candidates at the event
Another candidate who absconded from the debate is Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada, of Action Democratic Party (ADP), but was represented by his running mate, Rabi’u Bako.
However, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, Kano state Deputy Governor and governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) and chairman of Council of Ulama Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil of African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate attended the debate.
Others who graced the occasion include Bashir Ishaq Bashir, candidate of Labour Party (LP), representative of ADP candidate, Bako and Salihu Tanko Yakasai, gubernatorial candidate of People’s Redemption Party (PRP).
During the debate, all the five candidates present pledged to address the major challenges bedeviling the health sector in the state.
The gubernatorial candidates have presented divergent approaches and agenda in reforming the health sector if elected. The candidates also presented different programmes designed to improve healthcare system in the state.
Prof. Ibrahim Yakasai
In his remarks the chairman of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kano state branch Dr Abdullahi Kabir Sulaiman said debate was organise to increase awareness of health issues amongst gubernatorial candidates in order to put health on the front burner of their administration when voted into office.
Dr Sulaiman added that the interactive session will also assist the candidates to formulate an implementable action plan to address the lingering problems in the state healthcare.
The NMA chairman raised concern on lack of indigenous pharmaceutical companies in Kano state despite its large population.
“For instance, the major supplier of antimalarial drugs in Kano is India followed by China. This means if India and China refuse to sell antimalarial drugs to Nigeria, we will be left with major crisis in malarial treatments and this will increase malarial deaths in the state.
Cross section of diginatries at the event
“One of the key WHO recommendations in achieving universal healthcare coverage for all, is collaborations with other health related sectors such as environment, water resources and rural development, electricity, housing and urban planning, as well as agriculture among others. This means there is need to have such sustainable collaborations in the state,” Dr Sulaiman said.
KANO FOCUS recalled that the Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had earlier boycotted the Arewa Joint Committee interactive session with presidential candidates.
Cross section of diginatries at the event
Dr Kwankwaso alleged that his team is in possession of credible information that some people behind the engagement have been compromised, and the event will be used to “clandestinely endorse” another candidate from Northern Nigeria.
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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