Headlines
‘He has derailed’–Rabiu Bichi attacks Kwankwaso, after meeting Ganduje
Nazifi Dawud
Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi, the immediate past chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano state, has formalized his divorce with the opposition party by launching a stinging attack on his former boss–Rabiu Musa Kwankwakso and his Kwankwasiyya movement.
Mr Bichi, had left the PDP and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday– just two days after the Supreme Court dismissed a petition filed by the state governorship candidate Abba Yusuf, challenging the victory of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in the 2019 election.
A former commissioner and secretary to the state government, Mr Bichi was one of the staunch loyalists of Mr Kwankwaso for more than a decade.
KANO FOCUS reports that the former PDP chairman defected from the party alongside Binta Rabiu Spikin, Mr Kwankwaso’s spokesperson and Tijjani Dambazau, leader of the youth wing of Kwankwasiyya movement in the state.
In a ceremony held at the Kano Government House to receive the defectors, Mr Bichi offered his head for Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to remove his red cap–a gesture that symbolizes his exit from both the PDP and Kwankwasiyya movement.
“We are today answering the call of President Muhammadu Buhari and governor Abdullahi Ganduje for an inclusive government,” Mr Bichi declared in his speech, according to a statement by Abba Anwar, the governor’s chief press secretary.
“We believe in governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s genuine commitment in developing our dear state, that was why when he invited all other opposition elements to come and join hands with him in moving the state forward we have resolved to come forward and contribute in developing the state,” he added.
‘Kwankwaso has derailed’
Explaining his reason for defecting, the former opposition leader said he answered Mr Ganduje’s call on opposition members to join his government, adding that “something is fundamentally wrong with the Kwankwasiyya movement.”
“Myself and His Excellency governor Ganduje were the brains behind the formation and nurturing of Kwankwasiyya group within the larger PDP family then.
“We grew it up and we used our intellect to make it what it is today. So when we abandoned that, it is a clear indication that there is something fundamentally wrong with it. Other followers, who are yet to grasp the reality should take serious note. Former governor Kwankwaso has derailed completely,” Mr Bichi said.
In his response, Mr Ganduje assured the PDP defectors of his resolve to carry them along in the development of the state.
The governor, also accused Mr Kwankwaso of selfishness in their relationship, boasting that “I am the Encyclopedia and Dictionary of knowing Kwankwaso.”
“For this, I cannot compare him with anybody in terms of self-centredness. He knows nobody but himself, in whatever he is doing,” Mr Ganduje added.
He also alleged that the former governor’s “great ordeal” is to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
“This was what informed all his decisions in cross carpeting to different political parties at different intervals. We are aware of his plan to now come back to APC, our great party.
“Because he thinks he has a chance when President Muhammadu Buhari completes his second tenure come 2023. So we are all watching him and we are waiting for him,” the governor said.
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.
