Headlines
Election rigging, poor governance breed insecurity in the North – Junaidu Muhammad
Nasiru Yusuf
A former member of House of Representatives in the second republic, Junaidu Muhammad has attributed the spate of insecurity in Northern Nigeria to election rigging that brought irresponsible leaders.
The former parliamentarian said this in an exclusive interview with Kano Focus on the security challenges ravaging the region.
He observed that Northerners have for long tolerated to be cheated by constituted authorities in the region.
Mr Muhammad argued that Northerners should be bold and get courage to fight injustices meted against them.
Bad governance
“First and foremost, the issue is not just the question of security, is the issue of governance.
“We have been very, very irresponsible in the way we allowed ourselves to be governed particularly in the Northeast and Northwest.
“We are freemen who are behaving like slaves.
“We have had election rigged several times in most parts of the country particularly in the North.
“I believe people should have the courage to fight when they feel they have been cheated – whether by people from outside the region or their respective zones,” he said.
The politician cum activist observed that the country has been experiencing insecurity for a long period of time due to injustice by those who hold power.
Mr Muhammad said he does not respect those who accepted injustice over generations especially in the Northwest and Northeast.
“As far as I am concerned, there are heroes and villains in every struggle.
“To me a hero is a kind of person who is not prepared to accept injustice, who is prepared to put his own life on the line in order to liberate himself.
“If you allow people to be cheated all the time, and you believe some people have divine rights, they have been decreed by God to come and cheat you, and you think that is virtue, go ahead and do whatever you want to do, don’t involve me,” Mr Muhammad said.
Need for sacrifice
The parliamentarian who described Kano as the most politically advanced state in Sub-Saharan Africa recalled how late Malam Aminu Kano mobilized people to stand firm against unjust leaders.
He said Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Jigawa states have attained their present status due to the struggle of late Aminu Kano who brought change against the status quo.
Mr Muhammad advised citizens to take their fate in their hands by identifying capable persons who can lead them to emancipate themselves from the bond of irresponsible leadership.
“We have a historical precedent; Aminu Kano did a struggle for 40 years.
“He was able to mobilize the kind of people who are mostly uneducated rural peasants and he engineered the change which made Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa and Katsina states where they are today.
“I have to tell you in the case of Kano, Kano in terms of political awareness, is the most politically advanced area in the whole of Africa South of the Sahara.
“If people are not prepared to be mobilized, if they are not ready to sacrifice, if they have slave mentality, there is nothing you can do about them.
“The question now is to find out from the people whether they are the ones who are not interested in the struggle or they are waiting for leaders from heaven or somewhere else to come and lead them. “But if they are determined, there are always leaders who will emerge and who will give them the necessary political leadership,” Mr Muhammad advised.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dr Goni Faruk Umar has urged Muslims to embrace Taqwa in their daily lives, describing it as a foundation of Islam and a key to righteous conduct and success in this world and the hereafter.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Islamic scholar made the call while delivering a Juma’a sermon at the New Juma’a Mosque, Rumfa College, Kano.
In the sermon, Dr Goni Faruk Umar explained the meaning of Taqwa using classical Islamic scholarship, including an account involving Umar ibn al-Khattab and the companion Ubayy ibn Ka’b to illustrate the concept.
According to the account cited in the sermon, Sayyadina Ubayy once asked Khalifa Umar bin Khattab whether he had ever walked along a thorny path. When Khalifa Umar bin Khattab answered in the affirmative, Sayyadina Ubayy asked how he navigated it. Khalifa Umar bin Khattab replied that he gathered his clothes and proceeded cautiously to avoid being pricked.
Sayyadina Ubayy then explained that this was the essence of Taqwa: being constantly mindful of one’s actions and carefully avoiding what displeases Allah.
Dr Goni Faruk Umar said Taqwa should not be limited to acts of worship but should also guide Muslims’ conduct in contemporary society, particularly in their use of digital platforms and social media, control of the tongue, and relationships within the family.
He urged worshippers to exercise restraint in their speech, act responsibly online and uphold their obligations to family members in accordance with Islamic teachings.
The cleric also highlighted the spiritual and worldly benefits of Taqwa, including relief from hardship, ease in personal affairs, forgiveness of sins and increased rewards in the hereafter.
Quoting verses from the Qur’an, he cited Allah’s promise in Surah At-Talaq, verses 2 and 3, that whoever fears Him will be granted a way out of difficulties and provided for from sources they could not have anticipated.
He also referred to Qur’an 65:4–5, which promises ease in affairs, the removal of sins and the multiplication of rewards for those who maintain Taqwa.
The scholar reminded Muslims that worldly life is temporary and that the hereafter is their permanent destination. He therefore urged them to regard Taqwa as the best provision for the journey beyond this life.
Citing Qur’an 2:197, he emphasised that the best provision for the hereafter is Taqwa, urging believers to remain conscious of their responsibilities to Allah.
The sermon also featured prayers and salutations upon Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family and companions, in accordance with the Qur’anic instruction in Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 56.
Dr Goni Faruk Umar concluded by encouraging Muslims to remain steadfast in faith, follow the guidance of the Prophet and make righteousness a guiding principle in their daily lives.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Political allies and loyalists of former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Arc Aminu Dabo, have begun resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State following his withdrawal from the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that the supporters, operating under the political group Dabo Alheri Ne, reportedly include members across Kano State’s 44 local government areas.
Barely two days after Dabo announced his resignation from the APC, a prominent stakeholder of the group, Garba Zakiru Dambatta, said members had welcomed the decision and were showing solidarity by submitting their resignation letters to their respective ward party chairmen.
Dambatta, a former APC chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area, said the group’s members were disappointed with what they described as the prolonged marginalisation of Mr Dabo and his supporters within the party.
According to him, despite Mr Dabo’s contributions to the APC and efforts to strengthen the party and manage disagreements among its members, some key stakeholders had continued to sideline him and his loyalists in party activities.
Dambatta reaffirmed the group’s commitment to standing by Mr Dabo’s political decisions and supporting his future political journey.
He also urged the former NPA managing director not to succumb to political pressure or reverse his decision to leave the party.
“This step you have taken, we have the conviction that it is the beginning of a new chapter of goodness in your life,” Dambatta said.
Among the prominent members of the group identified as supporting Mr Dabo’s decision are Abba Rabee’u, a former Senior Special Assistant on Political Awareness; Almustapha Jilani Danmalam, a former Senior Special Assistant on Education; Jamilu Abdullahi Zangon-Mata, a former Senior Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship; and Fahd A. Dabo, a former Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation.
The individuals reportedly served during the second term of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The group also said several other party loyalists and supporters were backing Dabo following his resignation.
However, the statement did not provide the number of members who had formally resigned from the APC or indicate whether the party leadership had responded to the development.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Five players of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Club have been invited to the national camp of Nigeria’s Special Super Eagles ahead of the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.
KANO FOCUS reports that invited players are Isah Yusuf, Abba Musa, Habu Friday, Emanuel Betel and Usman Ahmed. They are currently in Abuja with the national team as preparations intensify for the global tournament.
The Team Manager of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Team, Jamilu Uba Adamu, disclosed this in an interview with Ashiru Rabiu Gidan Tudu, Information Officer of the Kano State Sports Commission.
Adamu described the invitation as recognition of the players’ dedication, discipline and outstanding performances.
He expressed confidence that the players would represent Kano State and Nigeria with honour at the championship.
According to him, the call-up also demonstrates Kano Pillars’ commitment to nurturing talented amputee footballers and contributing to the development of the sport in Nigeria.
The 2026 Amputee Football World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 22 in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. A total of 24 countries, including seven African nations, are expected to participate.
The Executive Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, congratulated the five players on their invitation, describing it as well deserved.
Babangida expressed confidence that they would justify the confidence reposed in them by the national team selectors.
He assured the players of the commission’s continued support and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to making Kano State and Nigeria proud on the international stage.
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