The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has reiterated its stance that Rabiu Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiyya faction remain expelled from the party.

At a press conference held in Abuja on Friday, NNPP National Chairman Agbo Major cautioned Kwankwaso and his supporters against engaging in blackmail and disruptive activities aimed at destabilizing the party.

Major accused the Kwankwasiyya group of writing to the Speaker of the House of Representatives to replace the Deputy Minority Leader, Aliyu Madaki, with someone not recognized by the party.

He described this as an act of ignorance concerning the internal processes of the National Assembly.

“They have left the party but continue to undermine our National Assembly caucus. Their actions are a desperate attempt to disrupt the party’s operations,” Major stated.

The NNPP Chairman expressed concerns about the potential for unrest, urging security agencies, especially in Kano State, to monitor and prevent any actions that might threaten public peace.

He warned that the Kwankwasiyya group is known for its reckless behavior and illegal activities.

“Security agencies must step in to ensure that the rule of law is upheld, especially after the recent court judgment that affirmed their expulsion from the party,” Major said.

He also disclosed that petitions have been filed with security agencies against key members of the Kwankwasiyya group, including Senator Kwankwaso and Buba Galadima, to avoid any breakdown of law and order.

Referencing a recent ruling by the Abia High Court, which confirmed the management of the party was returned to its Board of Trustees (BOT) led by its founder, Boniface Aniebonam, Major emphasized that only communications signed by the BOT Chairman or the recognized leadership should be considered valid by the Speaker of the House.

“The Speaker should only act on letters signed by Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam or the recognized national officers of the party, Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major and Comrade Sunday Olaposi Oginni,” Major added.

The NNPP Chairman also condemned the Kwankwasiyya group’s attempts to initiate disciplinary actions against members like Aliyu Madaki and Kabiru Rurum, both of whom have publicly distanced themselves from the faction.

He stressed that the Kwankwasiyya group no longer holds any authority within the NNPP.

“Any actions taken by them against party members will be deemed invalid. The Kwankwasiyya group no longer has any standing within the NNPP following their expulsion,” Major asserted.

The NNPP leadership emphasized its commitment to upholding the rule of law, promoting democracy, and ensuring internal stability.

Major urged all party stakeholders to respect the court ruling and the official leadership of the NNPP as it continues to work towards the betterment of Nigeria’s democratic process.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reversed the decision of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) that suspended Mr. Muhuyi Magaji, the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC).

The appellate court, in a ruling delivered on Friday, agreed with the arguments presented by Magaji’s counsel, Mr. Adeola Adedipe (SAN), who contended that the tribunal’s order was prejudicial and violated his client’s right to a fair hearing.

Justice Umaru Fadawu, who delivered the lead judgment, concluded that the suspension order made by the CCT was unjust and should be set aside.

The court further directed that the case be reassigned to a different panel of the CCT for a fresh hearing.

The suspension of Magaji had been ordered by the CCT in April, following allegations of misconduct brought against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

Justice Danladi Umar, who headed the three-member tribunal, ruled that Magaji should step aside from his position while the case was being heard, to prevent any interference with the trial.

In his ruling, Justice Umar also ordered that Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State and the Secretary to the State Government appoint an acting chairman for the PCACC pending the resolution of the matter.

However, Magaji, dissatisfied with the ruling, appealed to the Court of Appeal, raising five grounds to argue that the CCT’s decision was unjust.

Among his arguments, Magaji stated that the tribunal had denied him a fair trial and hearing by suspending him prematurely, effectively determining his guilt at an interlocutory stage.

Magaji’s legal team also claimed that the tribunal had overstepped its jurisdiction by making orders to the governor and the SSG, who were not parties in the case.

They further argued that the CCT’s judgment was based on speculative claims without substantial evidence, especially regarding the possibility of Magaji interfering with witnesses.

The Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Magaji, agreeing that the tribunal had acted beyond its powers and violated his right to a fair trial.

The appellate court’s decision has now led to the annulment of the suspension order, with the case to be heard by a new CCT panel.

A war of words has erupted between the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, following accusations that Governor Hyacinth Alia is governing the state like a Catholic parish.

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In a statement after its State Working Committee meeting in Makurdi, PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Tim Nyor, criticized Governor Alia’s administration for allegedly undermining democratic principles, lacking transparency, and sidelining the people from decision-making processes.

The PDP claimed the governor’s approach to governance was akin to the operations of a Catholic parish, undermining democratic values such as accountability, inclusivity, and rule of law.

The PDP also accused the Alia administration of neglecting critical issues such as infrastructure decay, basic services, and public trust.

They pointed to abandoned projects like the Makurdi-Gboko underpass and new government buildings, which they described as “white elephant projects.”

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The PDP further expressed concern over unpaid salaries and pensions, despite the state receiving significant federal allocations.

They also criticized the administration’s lack of action on resettling internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the deteriorating security situation in the state.

Responding to these accusations, Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, dismissed the PDP’s claims as baseless and devoid of factual accuracy.

Kula argued that the PDP’s leadership lacked a clear understanding of democratic governance, highlighting that the PDP’s tenure had been marked by mismanagement and neglect.

He pointed to several achievements under Alia’s administration, such as the timely distribution of subsidized fertilizers to farmers, the revival of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, and Benue’s improved ranking in fiscal transparency.

He also defended the government’s focus on infrastructure, including the construction of roads and drainage systems to prevent flooding, and the ongoing construction of key roads in the state.

Kula also refuted claims about unpaid salaries, emphasizing that the Alia administration had already paid four months of arrears and included five months of salary payments in the 2024 budget.

He further highlighted the governor’s efforts to resettle IDPs and the overall improvement in the state’s security situation.

In conclusion, Kula accused the PDP of hypocrisy, particularly for advocating for workers’ welfare while leaving behind months of unpaid salaries during their own time in office.

He praised Governor Alia for his integrity, transparency, and commitment to addressing the state’s challenges, urging the PDP to recognize the positive changes occurring under the current administration.

The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) has expressed strong opposition to the planned nationwide protests, dubbed “Reform INEC and Sack Yakubu,” which are set to begin in Abuja.

In a statement issued by its President-General, Yerima Shettima, the AYCF condemned the protests, describing them as a deliberate attempt by some individuals to destabilize the country and undermine its democratic processes.

“It is regrettable that certain groups are exploiting a section of the youth for their own personal interests under the pretense of advocating for reform,” the statement said.

The group emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity of the electoral system, stressing that any unwarranted attacks on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, without credible evidence, are harmful to the nation’s democratic values.

The AYCF appealed to Nigerian youths to disregard the protest calls, warning that such actions could lead to chaos and disrupt national stability.

“Protests that jeopardize our nation’s peace only hinder the progress we’ve made. Instead, we should focus on constructive dialogue to address grievances,” the statement urged.

The forum also called on the government and relevant authorities to counter misinformation and protect the country from groups attempting to exploit the youth for personal gain.

“We must prioritize peace, unity, and progress to ensure the nation’s growth,” the AYCF emphasized.

In conclusion, the group urged all stakeholders to work together to improve the electoral process through dialogue and cooperation, rather than through protests fueled by dissatisfaction.

“Let’s unite to build a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria,” the statement concluded.

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President Bola Tinubu has officially submitted an updated list of nominees for the Governing Boards of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) and the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to the Senate for confirmation.

This announcement was made on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

For the South East Development Commission, Tinubu has nominated Hon. Emeka Atuma as Chairman and Hon. Mark C. Okoye as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer. Other members of the board include Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, and Hon. Donatus Eyinnah Nwankpa, among others. Additionally, Edward David Onoja, Orure Kufre Inima, and Chie Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma have also been appointed to the board. Prince Obinna Obiekweihe is nominated as Executive Director (Projects), Senator Anthony O. Agbo as Executive Director (Finance and Administration), and Dr. Daniel Ikechukwu Ugwuja as Executive Director (Corporate Services).

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Regarding the North West Development Commission, Tinubu has revised the earlier list and appointed Alhaji Lawal Samai’la Abdullahi as Chairman, replacing Ambassador Haruna Ginsau.

The new NWDC board members include Ja’afar Abubakar Sadeeq and Yahaya Aminu Abdulhadi, while Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji will continue in his role as Managing Director and CEO.

This revised list comes after the Senate amended the NWDC’s establishment act to ensure representation from all six geopolitical zones.

As a result, the new board includes Chukwu Chijioke, Ahmed Mohammed, Engr. Ahmed Rufai Timasaniyu, Macdonalds Michael Uyi, Yemi Ola, and Hon. Babatunde Dada.

In the statement, Tinubu emphasized the importance of these commissions in fostering regional development and expressed confidence in the ability of the appointees to deliver on their mandates effectively for the benefit of the people in their respective regions.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, announced plans to revamp the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) during a visit to the station on Friday.

The governor stated that his administration intends to modernize the state-owned media outlet to enable it to compete effectively on the global stage.

He was accompanied by senior government officials during an inspection of both the EBS facilities and various road projects in the state, including those on Upper Mission Extension, Aduwawa Junction, Obadan Junction on the Benin-Auchi Expressway, and Upper Ekenwan Road.

At the EBS station, Governor Okpebholo emphasized the need for professionalism from the station’s management and staff, urging them to offer constructive criticism of his administration whenever necessary.

He stressed that the station should serve the people of Edo State by holding the government accountable.

In an unscheduled visit, the governor was taken on a tour of the EBS facilities by the Managing Director, Suleiman Aledeh, and other senior staff.

The governor noted the challenges faced by the station, including poor electricity supply, inadequate infrastructure, and road conditions. He expressed his commitment to addressing these issues, stating, “The challenges here must be addressed. This station belongs to the people of Edo State, and it should be treated with the same importance as any other state asset.”

Governor Okpebholo assured the EBS management that alternatives for a stable power supply would be explored, including the possibility of switching to solar energy or acquiring new generators.

He also promised to look into repairing the station’s roads and either rebuilding or renovating its studio facilities.

On the issue of energy, the governor said, “I will reach out to the MD of OSSIMO Power Plant, and if we don’t get the needed support, we will explore reliable alternatives to ensure the station operates 24/7.”

In response, Suleiman Aledeh, the EBS MD, acknowledged the difficulties faced by the station, expressing confidence that the governor’s intervention would help solve these challenges.

He stated, “The mandate is clear—transform this station into a media powerhouse that competes globally, not just a government mouthpiece.”

In addition to his focus on EBS, Governor Okpebholo also provided updates on various road projects across Edo State.

He reaffirmed his commitment to overseeing the completion of key infrastructure projects before the onset of the rainy season.

The governor expressed optimism that the Benin-Auchi Expressway would be ready for use by Christmas, praising the contractors for their efforts in maintaining quality and pace.

“The work on the Obadan Junction is progressing well, and I am confident that we will meet our goal within the next two weeks,” he concluded, emphasizing that his administration remains committed to practical governance for the benefit of Edo people.