Headlines
Independence Day: Nigerians in London demand justice for NNPP govt in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
As part of 63rd independence celebration, Nigerians in the diaspora have stormed the High Commission in London demanding for just and fair Kano governorship election trial.
KANO FOCUS reports that the placard-carrying Nigerians protest alleged interference of the All Progressive Congress (APC) under Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in the Kano governorship election petition tribunal.
The protesters waved different placards to drive home their demands for an impartial and apolitical justice system that will be fair to the New Nigerian People Party NNPP government in Kano state.
The protesters waving different placards
The placard-carrying protesters converged at Nigerian embassy in London on Sunday morning to demand justice and fairness from the APC ruling government.
Some of the messages contained in the placards read:
“The Independence of a country depends on the Independence of its judiciary.”
The protesters waving different placards
“Kano must not be robbed, Tinubu should allow Justice to prevail in Kano.”
“Kano People’s Mandate Must be Allowed, No More Unjust Rulings: Abba’s Mandate must not be stolen.”
“Election Tribunals Must Be Just and Fair—the Kano case must not be an exception.”
“Keep Politics Out of Our Courts—the Kano Election Tribunal was compromised!”
The protesters waving different placards
“Tribunal neutrality is non-negotiable. Kano people deserve justice, not politics.”
“Defend democracy and demand fair tribunals. Kano people deserve justice.”
The convener of the protest Dr Aminu Bello told journalists at the event that they were at Nigeria’s embassy in London to protest the recent judgment delivered by the Kano State Election Tribunal concerning the 2023 election, a judgment that has raised serious questions about its fairness and has ignited a call for justice to be served.
According to him the 2023 elections were a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s history, a time when Nigerians from all walks of life came together to exercise their democratic rights and choose their leaders.
He however, observed that the recent development in Kano State has cast a shadow of doubt over these fundamental democratic principles.
Protesters waving different placards
He noted that the judgment handed down by the Kano governorship Election Petition Tribunal has left many Nigerians disheartened and concerned about the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
“We want to emphasize a crucial point: it is only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that has the legal authority to cancel votes, not tribunal judges. The judiciary’s role is to interpret the law and ensure justice is served, not to alter the will of the people expressed at the ballot box.
“We firmly believe that justice must be blind and that the rule of law must prevail in all circumstances. The recent judgment has raised questions about whether justice has truly been served in this instance. We call upon all Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliation, to rise and fight for justice,” he pleaded.
Dr Bello observed that democracy thrives on the diversity of political voices and the competition of ideas, noting that Nigeria should never be reduced to a one-party system; as according to him the strength of its democracy lies in a vibrant multi-party system where all citizens have a fair chance to express their choices and aspirations.
He noted that the mandate given to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf by the Kano State people must be upheld and respected.
To this end, Dr Bello call on civil society organizations, political parties, and the international community to closely monitor the situation in Kano State and ensure that justice is served, and the Kano votes must not be stolen.
“We urge all Nigerians to engage in peaceful, lawful, and constructive ways to demand transparency and accountability in the Kano State electoral tribunal case. We equally call upon civil society organizations, political parties, and the international community to closely monitor the situation in Kano State and ensure that justice is served, and the Kano votes must not be stolen.
“We also urge the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial review of the election tribunal’s judgment to ascertain its fairness and punish any judge who is found to be compromised,” he pleaded.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
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