Headlines
Kwankwaso considers ADC Alliance with Atiku, Obi as opposition forces realign ahead of 2027
As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, former Kano State Governor and leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is reportedly considering a political alliance with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the move is coming amid significant political shifts in Kano State, following the reported defection of Governor Abba Yusuf, alongside most members of the Kano State House of Assembly, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
THISDAY Newspaper gathered that while Kwankwaso’s political structure in Kano appears to be gravitating towards the APC, the former governor himself is engaged in discussions with the ADC over the possibility of joining the party, along with members of the Kwankwasiyya movement, his core political base.
Sources disclosed that discreet negotiations are already underway among Kwankwaso, Atiku and Obi as they explore the prospects of forming a broad opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections. The talks are said to be driven by a shared desire to present a formidable challenge to the ruling APC.
There are also strong indications that Governor Yusuf, the only NNPP governor in the country, is set to officially defect to the APC on Monday. His planned defection, sources said, has been strongly opposed by Kwankwaso and has triggered sharp disagreements within the Kwankwasiyya movement.
According to sources close to the governor, Vice President Kashim Shettima; APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje; the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Yitwalda Nentawe; and the APC Kano State Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, are expected to attend a brief ceremony marking Yusuf’s defection in Abuja.
Political analysts say that if the proposed alliance between Atiku, Obi and Kwankwaso materialises, it could significantly reshape the opposition landscape and alter Nigeria’s political calculations ahead of 2027.
Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso finished second, third and fourth respectively in the 2023 presidential election, making their potential alliance one of the most consequential political developments in the build-up to the next general polls.
Headlines
“As You Sow, So Shall You Reap”: Imam Reminds Muslims of Divine Justice
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Imam Nura Garba Mato has urged Muslims to remain conscious of their actions, saying that divine reward and punishment often correspond to the nature of people’s deeds.
KANO FOCUS reports that the imam made the call while delivering a Friday sermon at Jami’u Ansar wal Muhajirun Jumaa Mosque, Cotton Ginnery Layout, Zawaciki, Kano State.
The sermon, titled “Al-Jazā’u Min Jinsil-‘Amal” (Recompense Is According to the Nature of Deeds), focused on the Islamic teaching that people’s actions have consequences and that good deeds attract divine reward.
Imam Mato said Allah had established enduring principles in human life that do not change, urging Muslims to understand these principles and allow them to guide their conduct.
He explained that one of these principles was that recompense corresponds to the nature of one’s actions, stressing the importance of living righteously and fulfilling one’s responsibilities to Allah and fellow human beings.
The imam called on Muslims to observe *taqwa* (consciousness of Allah), remain steadfast in their faith and follow the teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
He also highlighted the importance of helping people in difficulty, easing the burdens of others and showing compassion to fellow Muslims.
Quoting a prophetic tradition, the imam emphasised that whoever relieves a Muslim of a hardship in this world will receive relief from Allah on the Day of Resurrection.
He further explained that whoever conceals the faults of a fellow Muslim would receive Allah’s concealment of their faults on the Day of Resurrection, while those who make things easier for people in difficulty would receive Allah’s assistance in this world and the Hereafter.
The sermon also underscored the importance of supporting others, noting that a Muslim’s relationship with Allah should be reflected in their treatment of fellow human beings.
Imam Mato urged Muslims to reflect on their deeds and recognise that their conduct carries consequences, encouraging them to embrace good actions, assist those in need and uphold the teachings of Islam in their daily lives.
He stressed that Muslims should make righteousness, compassion and service to others central to their lives in pursuit of Allah’s pleasure and success in the Hereafter.
Headlines
Kano Govt Orders Retired Civil Servants to Vacate Offices, Hand Over Government Property
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has directed all civil servants who have attained their statutory retirement age or completed the required length of service to immediately vacate their offices and hand over government property in their possession.
KANO FOCUS reports that the directive was contained in Circular issued on Tuesday by the Establishment Directorate, Office of the Head of Civil Service, Kano State.
The circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Abba A. Danguguwa, on behalf of the Head of Civil Service, was titled: “Unauthorized Continuance in Service After Statutory Retirement by Civil Servants in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government – Call for Immediate Handing Over of Official Documents, Properties.”
The government said it had observed that some civil servants continued to remain in office and operate in official capacities after reaching their statutory retirement period.
According to the circular, such conduct was a “negation to the reputation of the Civil Service of Kano State,” noting that the service had a long-standing tradition of ensuring seamless transition by retiring civil servants.
It described the continued stay in service after retirement as a direct infraction and aberration of relevant provisions of the State Civil Service Rules and other applicable service regulations.
The government stressed that it was legally and administratively untenable for any officer to remain in service or perform official functions beyond the statutory limit.
Consequently, all civil servants who had retired either by age or length of service were directed to immediately exit and hand over all official documents, government property and duties to their immediate subordinates in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.
The circular also directed all Accounting Officers, including Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives, as well as Directors of Administration and Personnel Management, to ensure strict and immediate compliance with the directive.
It warned that any officer found aiding, abetting or condoning the continued stay of a retired officer in service would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.
The directive takes immediate effect, the circular stated.
Headlines
Kano Settles N32bn Pension, Gratuity Liabilities, Says Gov Yusuf
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf says his administration has settled approximately N32 billion out of the N48 billion inherited backlog of gratuities and related liabilities owed to retirees in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Gov Yusuf disclosed this on Thursday while addressing residents at the 66th Independence Anniversary celebration held at the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium in Kano.
The governor said the government had also sustained the regular payment of monthly pensions while increasing the minimum monthly pension from N5,000 to N20,000.
He said the welfare of workers and pensioners remained a priority of his administration, citing timely payment of salaries, improved remuneration and measures aimed at strengthening the public service.
According to him, the state has maintained the practice of paying workers’ salaries on or before the 25th of every month while implementing the N71,000 minimum wage for civil servants.
Gov Yusuf also said his administration was sponsoring public servants for professional training, including programmes at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), to strengthen their administrative and leadership capacity.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a professional and motivated workforce, while ensuring that the contributions and sacrifices of serving workers and retirees were recognised and treated with dignity.
