Headlines
ACF Kano Appoints Isyaku Umar Tofa Interim Chairman
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Kano State Chapter, has appointed Alhaji (Dr) Isyaku Umar Tofa, OON, popularly known as Makaman Bichi, as interim chairman following the resignation of Dr Goni Faruk Umar.
Tofa will lead a three-member interim leadership team tasked with steering the affairs of the chapter alongside the remaining members of its executive committee until a substantive chairman is elected.
KANO FOCUS reports that the other members of the interim team are Ambassador Bala Mohammed Sani, mni, and Hajiya Rabia Husaini Adamu.

The appointments were announced by General Haliru Akilu (rtd) at a joint meeting of members of the ACF Board of Trustees representing Kano State and the chapter’s executive committee held on Saturday at the Late Amina Habib ACF Secretariat, Gidan AHIP, Maiduguri Road, Kano.

General Akilu (rtd) said the interim team would manage the chapter’s affairs for the remainder of the current executive committee’s tenure, pending the election of a new chairman.
He explained that the decision was part of efforts to promote reconciliation, restore mutual understanding and strengthen cooperation among members following disagreements that had affected the smooth running of the chapter.

He urged members to put aside their differences and work collectively in the interest of the forum, stressing that the meeting was convened to resolve outstanding issues rather than revive past controversies.
“The spirit that should guide every one of us is the same: consultation before decision, integrity before convenience and service before self,” General Akilu (rtd) said.
He called on members to embrace patience, humility and constructive dialogue, adding that their contributions should focus on finding lasting solutions to the chapter’s challenges.
General Akilu (rtd) also confirmed receipt of Umar’s resignation letter, in which the outgoing chairman cited the demands of his busy schedule.

He expressed appreciation for Umar’s service, commending the time, energy and commitment he had devoted to the forum. He also wished him well in his other responsibilities and expressed hope that he would continue to offer advice and support to the chapter.
The retired general further commended Assistant Controller-General of Narcotics, Alhaji Abubakar Idris Ahmed, for serving as acting chairman for approximately four months during the outgoing chairman’s absence.
He praised Ahmed’s dedication and contributions, noting that his service had helped sustain the chapter’s activities during the period.
In their separate remarks, the three interim leaders—Tofa, Ambassador Sani and Hajiya Adamu—expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to justify the trust through dedicated service.

They are expected to work with the remaining executive committee members to promote unity, rebuild confidence and ensure the effective administration of the chapter until a substantive chairman is elected.
General Akilu (rtd) said a united and purposeful ACF Kano Chapter would be better positioned to contribute to the development of Kano State and Northern Nigeria, particularly in addressing challenges relating to insecurity, poverty, education, youth empowerment and peaceful coexistence.

He urged members to support the interim leadership and embrace teamwork, noting that practical resolutions and collective commitment were essential to restoring stability and strengthening the forum’s activities.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Publicity Secretary II
Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Kano State Chapter.
Headlines
Sheikh Aminu Daurawa: I’m Not a Politician, Won’t Campaign for Anyone
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, has declared that he is not a politician and will not campaign for any political candidate.
KANO FOCUS reports that Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, a renowned Islamic cleric, made the declaration in a post on his Facebook page, where he prayed for the success of leaders committed to justice, protecting the rights of the poor and improving the welfare of citizens.
“I am not a politician, and I will not campaign for anyone. However, I hope that Allah grants victory to whoever will uphold justice, show compassion to the poor, protect their rights and work to improve their lives,” he wrote in Hausa.
The cleric also prayed for the emergence of leaders who would demonstrate honesty, trustworthiness and the fear of Allah in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He urged that public officeholders should prioritise the needs of the people above their personal interests.
“May Allah give us leaders who are truthful, trustworthy and God-fearing, and who will place the needs of the people above their personal interests. Amin, O Lord of the worlds,” he added.
KANO FOCUS reports that Sheikh Daurawa’s message emphasised the importance of justice, accountability and people-centred leadership, without endorsing any particular political party or candidate.
Headlines
Gov Yusuf Joins APC Leaders at Kaduna Presidential Campaign Flag-Off as Kano Delegation Draws Attention
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was among the political leaders who attended the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
KANO FOCUS reports that the rally brought together APC governors, party leaders and supporters from across the country to launch the campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections.
Governor Yusuf’s attendance marked Kano State’s participation in the party’s campaign activities following his defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the APC earlier this year.
Kano, one of Nigeria’s most populous states and a major political centre in the North-West, is an important part of the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
The gathering also provided an opportunity for APC leaders and supporters from across the region to demonstrate their support for the ruling party and participate in its campaign mobilisation efforts.
The campaign flag-off is expected to serve as a platform for the APC leadership to present its message, outline its priorities and seek support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Governor Yusuf’s participation comes as political parties intensify preparations for the next general elections.
Headlines
NDC Kano lawyers ask INEC to probe conflicting primary election reports
Ibrahim Khalil
The legal counsel to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Kano State Chapter, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate alleged inconsistencies in monitoring reports on the party’s primary elections in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the lawyers also defended a petition submitted to INEC on Friday, concerning the conduct of Mrs Hauwa Buhari, Head of the Department of Election and Party Monitoring at the commission’s Kano office.
In a statement issued on Friday, the legal team, Magaji Mato Ibrahim SAN & Co., said the petition followed the alleged issuance of multiple versions of a monitoring report containing materially inconsistent information about the party’s primary elections.
The statement was issued in response to an earlier statement by Bola Aidi, SAN & Co., solicitors to five persons claiming candidacy under the NDC in Kano State.
According to the legal team, some versions of the disputed reports were undated and allegedly listed individuals who were neither screened nor cleared by the party, while excluding candidates whose names appeared on Form EC9D signed by the NDC National Chairman and National Secretary.
The lawyers further alleged that the INEC official had previously acknowledged gaps in the report and that a corrected version was forwarded to the commission’s headquarters without formal communication or implementation.
They said the alleged discrepancies required an internal investigation and correction, irrespective of the ongoing court cases.
“The existence of inconsistent official records signed by the same officer is a matter that the Commission is duty-bound to resolve in the interest of the integrity of its own processes,” the statement said.
The lawyers also raised concerns about proceedings before the Federal High Court, alleging that the five individuals claiming candidacy had filed and prosecuted suits without notifying the party’s authentic candidates, whose interests were directly affected.
They said the affected candidates had taken steps to establish the status of the proceedings and pursue appropriate legal remedies.
The legal team argued that the failure to join parties whose rights could be affected raised concerns about fair hearing, particularly in pre-election disputes.
Responding to the statement by Bola Aidi, SAN & Co., the lawyers questioned why the firm had defended an INEC official instead of addressing the specific allegations concerning the disputed reports.
However, they cautioned against public speculation about any possible connection between the solicitors, their clients and the conduct of the INEC official, saying the matter should be left to the commission’s investigation.
The statement also addressed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1628/2026 and judgments delivered by the Federal High Court in Kano on October 14, 2026, which the lawyers said were being challenged on appeal.
They argued that Section 287(3) of the Constitution, which requires compliance with court orders, did not prevent INEC from investigating or correcting allegedly defective records produced by its officials.
According to the lawyers, the affected respondents had filed an appeal against the Federal High Court judgment and served the commission’s offices in Kano and Abuja.
The legal team further maintained that the party’s screening and clearance records showed that the five individuals represented by Bola Aidi, SAN & Co. had not been screened or cleared for the relevant constituencies.
It argued that an INEC monitoring report could not, by itself, confer candidacy on individuals who had not fulfilled the party’s nomination requirements.
The lawyers called on INEC to investigate the disputed reports, establish the authentic records of the party’s primary elections and take appropriate administrative action based on its findings.
The statement reaffirmed the NDC Kano State Chapter’s commitment to the rule of law and said the party’s authentic candidates would pursue available legal remedies to protect their nominations.
Note: The allegations in the statement represent the position of the NDC Kano State Chapter’s legal counsel and have not been independently verified by Kano Focus.
