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Kano 2023: Governorship Candidates roll out policies, programmes at Mambayya town hall meeting
Aminu Abdullahi
Governorship Candidates in Kano have rolled out different programmes and policies for the betterment of Kano state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the contestants made the presentation at a Townhall meeting with Governorship Candidates organised by the Centre for Democratic Studies in collaboration with KANO FOCUS, media houses and other Non-Governmental Organisations held at the Sa’adu Zungur Auditorium, Mambayya House, Kano.
In his presentation the Kano State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna pledged to sustain and consolidate the security and peace enjoyed in the State when elected in the forthcoming election.
“Security brings development and prosperity to the society, therefore we would increase partnership with the security agencies in order to ensure that Kano people continue to coexist in peace and harmony,” he said.
Gawuna added that his administration would also sustain the development in education through the provision of infrastructure, retraining of the teachers and strengthening of the curriculum with vocational skills, entrepreneurial programmes and community participation.
He also said his administration would tap from the Solid Minerals Kano is endowed with as the effort will create jobs and increase internally generated revenue.
The Deputy Governor also promised to continue to support youths and women through empowerment programmes that will make them more productive.
He however assured to give attention to the Health, Water, Agriculture and Environmental sectors.
Sha’aban pledges to financial autonomy to local government
The Action Democratic Party (ADP), governorship candidate, Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada has promised to grant full financial autonomy to the 44 Local Government Areas if elected as governor.
While presenting his manifesto, Sharada promised to revive the local government administration system in the state to make them functional, viable, free of interference.
He added that “I will revive the system to make it more accessible to the people living in the rural areas to reduce urban migration.
“My government will fight bribery and corruption; I will review existing data of Kano schools, students, staff, and others, in order to improve the sector.
“Our first budget priority will be on education by giving it the highest allocation to provide a conducive atmosphere for learning.”
Speaking on Health, he said: “We will enhance the allocation to the health sector and upgrade the Primary Healthcare Centers in all the 44 Local Government Areas and employ more community health workers.”
PRP governorship candidate rolls-out 7 Points Agenda
The gubernatorial candidate of People’s Redemption Party (PRP) Salihu Tanko Yakasai has rolled out a seven-point progressive agenda ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The seven-point agenda is focused on Economic growth, Education, Water, Health, Infrastructure, Public Reform, and Security.
He said: “Our administration will focus more on critical infrastructures such as drainages to avoid flooding in the state.
“We will digitalize the public sector by introducing technology in administering the affairs of the state.
“We shall clear pension debts and also grant local government autonomy.
“Promotion of government workers will be based on merit and all government parastatals will be in a single location for easy access to the public institutions.”
Yakasai also promised maximum security by checkmating daily activities of commuters including residents.
“We shall install CCTV and other surveillance equipment in all nooks and crannies of the state,” he added.
Fielding questions from participants on inclusive governance, the PRP governorship candidate assured that PRP will promote inclusive and youth participation in governance.
Muhammad Abacha pledges 500 Megawatts of Electricity
On his part the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Muhammad Sani Abacha pledged to provide 500 megawatts of electricity to address the issue of power in the State.
Abacha said the 500 megawatts of electricity will help to revamp the industrial sector and create employment for the teeming unemployed youths in the state.
Talking about other sectors of the economy, he said: “We will introduce sustainable agriculture through modernization and mechanization that will improve irrigation farming and ensure access to agricultural finance.
“On education, we will create more facilities, provide instructional materials, training of teachers to enhance their capacity, and also support skill acquisitions.”
Abacha said Kano State cannot continue to rely on Federal Government allocation when it has the potential to generate over 20 billion internally generated revenue; we will make that happen through digitalization.
“Our development master plan for Kano will make it one of the best states in Nigeria,” he added.
Other candidates who spoke at the occasion include Malam Ibrahim Khalil (ADC), Bala Muhammad Gwagwarwa (SDP), Sani Mahmud (AAC) and Aishatu Mahmud (NRM).
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Islamic Forum of Nigeria has condemned what it described as the abduction, rape and forced conversion of a minor, Walida Abdulhadi, allegedly by an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), calling for justice, transparency and equal treatment under the law.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Acting Executive Secretary, Dalhatu Gwarzo, the Forum expressed outrage over the alleged actions of the suspect, identified as Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, accusing him of abducting the girl, sexually assaulting her, forcing her to convert her religion and subjecting her to a forced abortion.
The group described the alleged incident as a grave violation of human rights, religious freedom and the rule of law, insisting that the matter should not be treated lightly because of the suspect’s status as a security operative.
The Forum also criticised what it termed the silence of sections of the media and religious bodies, particularly the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), over the case. It compared the situation with the widely publicised Ese Oruru case, in which Yunusa Dahiru was convicted and sentenced to 26 years’ imprisonment.
According to the Forum, the contrast in reactions raises concerns about selective outrage and double standards in the pursuit of justice.
“Where is the media outrage? Where are the public campaigns demanding justice for Walida?” the statement queried, adding that justice should not depend on the religious identity of either the victim or the alleged perpetrator.
The Forum called on the DSS to ensure transparency in its investigation and to allow the law to take its full course, including prosecuting the suspect for alleged offences such as kidnapping and statutory rape.
It also urged the judiciary to ensure an expedited and open trial, stressing that Walida should be released immediately to her parents in line with an existing court directive.
The organisation further appealed to the media to report the case with the same intensity accorded similar past incidents and called on the Federal Government to guarantee the safety of the victim and her family.
“The Muslim Ummah will not remain silent while its daughters are abducted, violated and forced out of their faith,” the statement said.
Nura Abdullahi
The Kwankwasiyya Movement Nigeria has appointed two new spokespersons as part of efforts to strengthen its communication structure and enhance engagement with the public and the media.
In a statement released on Tuesday by Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata on behalf of Kwankwasiyya, the Movement announced the appointment of Alhaji Habib Saleh Mailemo as Spokesperson I and Capt. Mansur Umar Kurugu as Spokesperson II.
According to the statement, the appointments are in line with Kwankwasiyya’s strategic repositioning in response to emerging political realities, where clear ideology, coherent messaging and disciplined communication are considered critical.
Mailemo, as Spokesperson I, will serve as the official voice of the Movement on political positions, policy perspectives and overall strategic direction. Capt. Kurugu, as Spokesperson II, will support coordinated messaging, provide rapid responses to developments and drive grassroots-focused communication.
The leadership of the Movement, under its national leader, Engr. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, expressed confidence that the new spokespersons will further project Kwankwasiyya as a people-oriented political movement anchored on social justice, equity and progressive leadership.
The statement also informed members of the public and the media that all official communications from the Kwankwasiyya Movement will henceforth be issued through the appointed spokespersons.
Kwankwasiyya reaffirmed its commitment to the masses and to the promotion of principled and issue-based politics in Nigeria.
The statement was signed by Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofarmata on behalf of the Kwankwasiyya Movement Nigeria.
Nura Abdullahi
The Kano State Police Command has recorded major successes in its ongoing campaign against drug trafficking and abuse, with the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of large quantities of illicit substances across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the operations were carried out in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on sustained intelligence-led patrols and proactive crime prevention as stated by the police.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, operatives attached to the Fagge Police Division, while on intelligence-led surveillance patrol on January 25, 2026, intercepted a tricycle at Triumph Roundabout.
A search of the tricycle revealed two sacks containing 157 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Cannabis Sativa. Two suspects, Amadu Ado and Salisu Lurwanu, both males from Kulliya Village in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State, were arrested in connection with the seizure.
In a separate operation conducted on January 24, 2026, at about 5:25 p.m., the Command’s Rapid Response Team (RRT), acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, raided identified black spots across the Kano metropolitan area.
The raid led to the arrest of two additional suspects, Usman Hamisu, 22, and Auwal Abdullahi, 25. Items recovered from them included 40 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, 20 pieces of rubber solution, half a roll of dried leaves believed to be cannabis, and 10 small bottles of a substance popularly known as “Suck and Die.”
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended the officers involved in the successful operations, describing their efforts as a boost to the command’s resolve to rid the state of drug-related crimes.
He urged residents of Kano State to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency numbers: 08032419754, 08123821575, and 09029292926.
The Kano State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the fight against drug trafficking and abuse, assuring the public of continued efforts to ensure a safe and secure environment for all residents.
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Kwankwasiyya appoints new spokespersons to strengthen communication strategy
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