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NDC governorship aspirant, others ask court to nullify Kano primaries
Nura Abdullahi
Fresh controversy has erupted within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a governorship aspirant, Mukhtar Muhammad, and four other party members have approached the Federal High Court seeking to nullify the party’s primary elections conducted in Kano State and restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising candidates that emerged from the exercise.
KANO FOCUS reports that the plaintiffs in the suit are Shuaib Abubakar Fagge, Mustapha Salisu Musa (Fanandas), Musa Hudu Yusuf, Mukhtar Muhammad and Mahfuz Yahuza.
In an originating summons filed before the Federal High Court, the plaintiffs challenged the legality of the NDC primaries held on May 28, 2026, alleging widespread violations of the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution and its guidelines for the 2027 general election.
According to the court documents, the plaintiffs alleged that the party unlawfully delegated the sale and distribution of its Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms in Kano State to a single individual, thereby allowing one party member to determine who could obtain nomination forms and participate in the primaries.
They argued that the arrangement violated the provisions of the Electoral Act, the NDC constitution and the party’s election guidelines, insisting that the responsibility for issuing nomination forms could not legally be transferred to an individual or faction within the party.
The plaintiffs further contended that no valid primary election recognised by law was conducted, alleging that there was no proper accreditation of delegates or members, voting, counting or collation of votes as required under the Electoral Act and the party’s guidelines.
They also claimed they were unlawfully denied nomination forms despite being eligible members of the party, thereby preventing them from contesting the governorship, House of Representatives and Kano State House of Assembly primaries for the Fagge, Tarauni and Gwale constituencies.
The suit seeks declarations that the party breached its constitutional and statutory obligations by denying the plaintiffs equal opportunity to contest and by failing to provide a level playing field for all aspirants.
Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiffs asked the court to nullify all primary elections conducted by the NDC in Kano State on May 28, 2026, including the governorship, House of Representatives and State Assembly primaries.
They also urged the court to set aside the Certificate of Return issued to Aminu Suleiman Goro as the party’s candidate for the Fagge Federal Constituency and restrain him from presenting himself as the party’s flag bearer pending the conduct of fresh primaries.
The plaintiffs further prayed the court to issue perpetual injunctions restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting, recognising, publishing or acting on the names of candidates produced through the disputed primaries.
They also asked the court to compel the NDC to conduct fresh primary elections for the affected constituencies in compliance with the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution and its election guidelines.
In addition, the lead plaintiff is seeking a refund of the ₦2 million allegedly paid for his Expression of Interest and Nomination Form, as well as ₦200 million in general and exemplary damages for alleged breach of contract and denial of the opportunity to participate in the primaries.
The suit, filed by counsel, Moses Ademola Falana of Nayara Legal Consult, is expected to test the legality of the NDC’s primary election process in Kano and could have significant implications for the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections if the court grants the reliefs sought.
The NDC had not issued an official response to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
Nura Abdullahi
Former Kano State Governor and vice presidential candidate, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has condemned comments attributed to Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir at an event in Kano, describing them as divisive and capable of undermining national unity.
KANO FOCUS reports that Dr Kwankwaso, who expressed his position in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Monday, said statements promoting division and disunity should be discouraged, particularly at a critical period in the country’s history.
He said it was troubling that such remarks came from a religious leader with Sheikh Jingir’s influence and stature.
“At this critical moment in our nation’s history, statements that promote division and disunity must be firmly discouraged,” Dr Kwankwaso said.
He added that the people of Kano did not endorse or support what he described as the cleric’s divisive remarks.
“Let it be clearly stated: the good people of Kano do not endorse or support these divisive remarks,” he said.
Dr Kwankwaso urged political and religious leaders to uphold truth, promote unity and support reconciliation, warning that leaders should avoid statements capable of weakening Nigeria’s national cohesion.
“Political and religious leaders alike carry a solemn responsibility to uphold truth, foster unity, and advance reconciliation,” he said.
He said leaders should not lend their voices to utterances capable of undermining the foundation of Nigeria’s nationhood.
Kwankwaso attacks Tinubu administration ahead of 2027
Turning to the 2027 general elections, Dr Kwankwaso said the polls would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to assess the performance of the current administration.
He said voters would have the opportunity to reward good governance with strong electoral support and reject poor performance at the polls.
“This administration has earned the latter,” Mr Kwankwaso said, in an apparent reference to his call for voters to reject the administration at the 2027 elections.
He concluded his statement by praying for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a new salary structure for academic and non-academic staff of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil, and Northwest University, Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that the new remuneration package, adopted from the Federal Government’s recently implemented salary structure for staff of federal universities, will take effect from January 2026, with payment scheduled to commence in September.
The approval was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, the decision followed the report and recommendations of a committee constituted by the Kano State Executive Council to review requests by the two state-owned universities for the domestication of the new federal university salary package.
The new salary review will cost the state government ₦391.85 million monthly, translating to ₦4.70 billion annually for the two institutions.
For ADUSTECH, Wudil, the monthly financial implication is ₦228.20 million, comprising ₦141.08 million for academic staff covered by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) agreement and ₦87.11 million for non-academic staff under the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).
At Northwest University, Kano, the monthly cost is ₦163.65 million, comprising ₦112.24 million for academic staff and ₦51.41 million for non-academic staff.
The government has also approved the inclusion of ₦1.57 billion in the 2026 Supplementary Budget to cover the implementation from September to December 2026.
Similarly, arrears covering January to August 2026, estimated at ₦3.13 billion, will be provided for in the 2027 Budget.
The government said the salary review was aimed at promoting industrial harmony and improving the welfare of staff of the two institutions, in line with the remuneration package already being implemented in federal universities and some state-owned institutions.
Yusuf approves visitation panels
Governor Yusuf also approved the consideration of visitation panels for the two universities and other tertiary institutions in the state, in accordance with relevant laws.
The panels, according to the statement, are expected to strengthen accountability, administration and effective management of the institutions.
Gov Yusuf reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare and strengthening the quality of higher education as part of its broader human capital development agenda.
The government said the measures were also intended to create a more conducive environment for academic and non-academic staff to contribute effectively to the development of the state’s tertiary education sector.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Tanzanian government has expressed interest in attracting more investments from Dangote Group in fertiliser production, energy and industrial infrastructure as part of efforts to accelerate the country’s long-term economic development.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Minister of State in the President’s Office responsible for Planning and Investment, Prof. Kitila A. Mkumbo, disclosed this during a visit by a Tanzanian delegation to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals in Lagos.
Mr Mkumbo said the visit was part of efforts to follow up on discussions between Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, on expanding the company’s investment footprint in Tanzania.
He noted that Dangote Group already operates Tanzania’s largest cement manufacturing plant, with an investment estimated at about $800 million.
“We have come here to make a follow-up on what they deliberated with our President in terms of further Dangote investments in Tanzania,” Mr Mkumbo said.
He said Tanzania was particularly interested in Dangote Group’s experience in fertiliser production and refinery operations, describing the company’s industrial capabilities as valuable to Africa’s economic transformation.
### ‘Africa needs economic liberation’
The minister said stronger collaboration between Tanzania and Dangote Group would also contribute to greater economic integration across Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He said African countries had maintained strong political relations for decades but must now prioritise economic integration through industrialisation.
“Africa now needs economic liberation, and that can only come through industrialisation,” he said.
Mr Mkumbo described Mr Dangote as one of Africa’s leading industrialists, noting that his investments were increasingly expanding beyond Nigeria and contributing to industrial development across the continent.
He said Tanzania was ready to work with the Dangote Group as part of efforts to promote Pan-African industrialisation and expand manufacturing capacity across the region.
### Tanzania highlights refining capacity
The minister also stressed the importance of increasing local refining capacity to strengthen Africa’s energy security, particularly amid disruptions in the international oil market.
He referred to the impact of tensions around the Strait of Hormuz on global fuel prices, saying increased refining capacity through facilities such as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery could help African economies reduce their vulnerability to external shocks.
According to him, access to affordable and reliable energy remains a major driver of economic growth.
He said expanding refining capacity across Africa would help reduce energy costs, strengthen energy security and improve living conditions for millions of people.
The Tanzanian delegation’s visit is part of continuing engagements between the country’s government and Dangote Group to explore new opportunities for strategic investments, industrial development and regional economic integration.
Kwankwaso condemns Sheikh Jingir’s remarks, says Kano rejects divisive statements
Gov. Yusuf approves salary increase for staff of two Kano universities
Tanzania seeks more Dangote investments in fertiliser, energy, infrastructure
Like minds forum celebrates Nura Dandago’s appointment as permanent secretary
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Gov. Yusuf Constitutes Political Advisory Team to Guide Kano Administration
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