The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) has reacted strongly to the purported suspension of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the party’s national chairman and former governor of Kano State.

The NWC, which initially did not respond to inquiries on Monday, has now petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, urging an investigation into the matter.

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In a statement issued by the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Tuesday, the NWC emphasized that those behind the “criminal act” of suspending Ganduje were not legitimate members of the APC in his ward, as affirmed by the party’s executives in Ganduje’s ward and Dawakin Tofa LGA.

The alleged suspension was announced by Haladu Maigwanjo, identified as the APC legal adviser in Ganduje’s ward, at a press conference in Kano on Monday.

However, it was swiftly countered by the 27-man executives of the party at both the ward and LGA levels at another press conference at the party’s state secretariat in Kano.

The NWC condemned the purported suspension as a “devious act” by impersonators of ward officials aimed at causing confusion. It further alleged that the perpetrators had affiliations with senior officials and representatives of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP).

The APC accused NNPP officials in Kano of orchestrating the suspension as part of a political persecution program against Ganduje, allegedly spearheaded by the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, an allegation denied by the Kano state government.

The party urged its members and the public to disregard reports of Ganduje’s suspension, reaffirming his position as the national chairman of the party.

In a separate development, the Kano State Anti-Corruption and Public Complaints Commission has announced fresh corruption and maladministration charges against Ganduje. According to the commission’s chairman, Muhuyi Magaji, investigations uncovered the diversion of N51.3 billion from local government funds and other financial irregularities during Ganduje’s tenure.

When contacted for a reaction on the fresh allegations, Ganduje’s Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olufu, declined to comment.

The state government has stated its intention to arraign Ganduje, along with his wife and son, for money laundering today.

Amidst the ongoing battle for the substantive national chairman position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the North Central Zonal Caucus has convened a crucial meeting set to take place today, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Multiple sources revealed that the meeting aims to gather stakeholders from the zone to deliberate on the chairmanship issue and possibly nominate a consensus candidate to be presented at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday.

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The clamor for the North Central to complete the tenure of ousted chairman Senator Iyorchia Ayu has intensified in recent weeks, with five aspirants emerging to succeed the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.

These aspirants include notable figures like Senator Gabriel Suswam, Humphrey Abah, Phillip Salawu, Emmanuel Agbo, and Conrad Terhile Utaan.

Stakeholders from the North Central Zone have reportedly engaged in lobbying efforts, including reaching out to former Senate Presidents David Mark and Bukola Saraki, though Mark has outrightly rejected involvement, while Saraki’s potential participation faces challenges due to current representation from Kwara in the NWC.

Expected attendees at the meeting include representatives from the six North Central states, serving and former governors, members of the National Assembly, former NEC members, state party chairmen, and other key party figures.

Conrad Utaan, one of the aspirants for the chairmanship, has expressed his commitment to setting a new agenda for the party, emphasizing his ability to unite factions and restore the party’s political essence.

In the midst of these developments, Umar Damagum, the acting National Chairman, has reportedly appealed to the North Central Caucus to allow him to complete Ayu’s tenure while yielding the deputy chairmanship to the zone.

However, this proposal has been met with resistance from some stakeholders.

In a related development, the party’s caucus in the House of Representatives reportedly experienced disagreement over a move to pass a vote of confidence on Damagum. While some members rejected the attempt, others called for a reconciliatory agenda to resolve the party’s internal disputes.

The National Working Committee has announced that the National Caucus meeting will also convene today, preceding the NEC meeting on Thursday, with measures in place to address pending litigations and ensure a cohesive path forward for the party.

The Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman, has shed light on the assembly’s decision to investigate the loans obtained during the tenure of the immediate past governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

Liman, speaking on Tuesday after the assembly established a 13-member committee to conduct a fact-finding mission on financial transactions, loans, grants, and project executions from 2015 to 2023 under El-Rufai’s administration, emphasized the importance of scrutinizing the previous administration’s expenditures.

He reassured the public that the matter would be thoroughly examined, promising transparency and giving everyone the opportunity to express their truths.

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“We are conducting this investigation to ensure accountability and transparency in governance. We aim to ensure that the legislature maintains its independence and does not become a rubber stamp,” Liman stated.

“Our goal is not to ridicule anyone but to uphold the principles of good governance and fiscal responsibility.”

This development occurs two weeks after El-Rufai’s successor, Senator Uba Sani, disclosed inheriting a substantial debt load of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual obligations from the previous administration.

Governor Sani lamented the adverse effects of the debt burden on the state’s finances, highlighting that the current exchange rate significantly inflated the repayment amounts. He expressed concern that a significant portion of the state’s federal allocation was being diverted to service debt obligations, leaving insufficient funds to cover essential expenses such as salaries.

While El-Rufai’s son publicly criticized the governor for alleged incompetence, El-Rufai refrained from direct comment on the matter.

At a recent Capacity-Enhancement Workshop for Senior Government Officials in Borno State, El-Rufai, serving as the lead speaker, made veiled references to governance in Kaduna, emphasizing his non-interference in state affairs.

He underscored his desire for Governor Sani to learn independently, distancing himself from any godfather role in Kaduna politics.

El-Rufai also praised Professor Babagana Zulum of Borno as Nigeria’s exemplary governor, further indicating his focus on leadership and governance beyond Kaduna.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has wrapped up its defence in the petition brought by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka, challenging the election victory of Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State.

During Tuesday’s proceedings at the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, INEC’s counsel, Uchenna Njoku, announced the closure of the commission’s case after submitting additional documents against the SDP’s petition.

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Njoku informed the three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudo, that INEC did not plan to call any witnesses, having thoroughly reviewed the petitioners’ case, the evidence presented during cross-examination, and the documents already tendered.

“In light of the evidence and documents presented thus far, INEC finds it unnecessary to prolong the proceedings by calling witnesses. Therefore, INEC respectfully requests to close its case,” stated Njoku.

Justice Birnin-Kudo accepted the closure of INEC’s case and adjourned the tribunal until April 16 for Governor Ododo, the 2nd respondent, to begin his defence.

The SDP and its gubernatorial candidate are contesting the outcome of the Kogi governorship election held on November 11, 2023, challenging the victory of Governor Ododo from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In earlier proceedings on Tuesday, Njoku informed the tribunal that INEC had complied with the court’s order by submitting the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices used during the election.

He tendered three sets of documents related to the BVAS, which were admitted as exhibits by the tribunal.

Although objections were raised by SDP and Ajaka’s lawyer, Pius Akubo, SAN, regarding the tendering of documents without the actual exhibits, the tribunal ruled in favor of admitting the documents as exhibits.

Meanwhile, Governor Ododo’s legal counsel, Ibrahim Sanni Mohammed, SAN, confirmed his client’s readiness to begin his defence on Wednesday, assuring the tribunal of their preparedness.

With INEC’s defence concluded, all eyes are now on Governor Ododo as he prepares to present his case before the tribunal in response to the SDP’s petition.

Aisha Galadima, an associate of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has been released by the Department of State Services (DSS) after being detained over a Facebook post critical of Governor Uba Sani.

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Galadima’s arrest occurred following her online criticism of Governor Sani’s recent remarks about El-Rufai. She was reportedly taken into custody on Sunday afternoon in her community in Kaduna’s Tudun Wada area.

Reports indicate that Galadima was subjected to questioning and was held for approximately 24 hours before being released.

Confirming her release, Galadima recounted being forcefully taken from her home by DSS operatives and claimed she was harassed and physically assaulted during her detention.

“I was inside my room about to take my bath when they came in and dragged me out. I saw four of their Hilux outside the gate. They pushed me inside and drove away,” she stated.

Galadima further alleged that the DSS accused her of making derogatory comments against the governor in a Facebook post dating back to February.

When contacted for comment, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sani, Muhammad Lawal Shehu, stated that he was unaware of the arrest and directed inquiries to the DSS for clarification.

“I’m not aware that a woman was arrested for posting a negative comment against His Excellency. In any case, you should direct your enquiries to the DSS, not the Kaduna State Government,” Shehu stated.

During the quarterly Fulbe United for Peace and Development National and Zonal Leadership Consultative Meeting held in Abuja on Monday, Fulani leaders (Ardos) reiterated their unwavering endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential candidacy.

They emphasized that their support for Tinubu stemmed from the expectation that he would address the challenges confronting the Fulani community.

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President of the association, Ardo Aliyu Liman Bobboyi, highlighted the significance of Tinubu’s endorsement, noting that he was honored with the title of Barkindo of Nigerian Ardo as a symbolic gesture sealing the “Fulaaku covenant” with him.

Muhammad Kabir Labar, the South West coordinator of the association, also known as Ardo Abeokuta, voiced concerns over the ban on grazing around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, without adequate provision for alternative grazing areas.

Labar emphasized the importance of engaging stakeholders in discussions to find mutually beneficial solutions, stating, “Our business has to be somewhere, and other businesses need to be somewhere. Let’s be considerate with ourselves and discuss the way forward.”

He reiterated the Fulani community’s commitment to peace and constructive dialogue, underscoring their contributions to Nigeria’s development over the years.

Responding to inquiries about the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) expressing regret over supporting President Tinubu, Labar clarified that their group was not affiliated with any organization expressing such sentiments.

He reaffirmed their steadfast support for Tinubu’s presidency and their optimism for the fulfillment of the promises made to the Fulani community during Tinubu’s electioneering campaign.

In a stunning development, the Ganduje ward leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State has announced the suspension of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, former governor of Kano state and current national chairman of APC.

This suspension is pending the outcome of corruption charges filed against him.

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The announcement came during a press briefing held in Kano, with Malama Haladu Gwanja Ganduje, the legal advisor, reading the ward party leadership’s resolution.

The decision was made “for posterity sake,” as stated by Malama Haladu Gwanja Ganduje.

In response to the suspension, the APC Secretary in Kano, Zakari Sarina, stated, “this is a case of impersonation. We will be issuing a formal statement on this very soon.”

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had previously instituted two panels to investigate corruption and political violence spanning from 2015 to 2023, during Ganduje’s tenure as governor.

Consequently, a Kano High Court has set April 17, 2024, as the date for the arraignment of Ganduje, his wife, and six others on eight-count charges, including dollar bribery allegations and misappropriation of funds amounting to $413,000 and N1.38bn.

The respondents in the suit include Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Hafsat Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lesage General Enterprises.

The Kano State Government, in the criminal suit, has prepared 15 witnesses to appear before the Court. The case is scheduled to be heard before Justice Usman Na’aba of State High Court number four.

Confirming the development, the State Attorney General, Haruna Isah Dederi, affirmed that Ganduje and others would be arraigned on the said date.

He emphasized the significance of accountability and the rule of law, stating, “You cannot run away from the evil day, it will definitely come to you, and this will even serve as a deterrence to all of us that are also in government now.”