Politics
Tambuwal Arrest : Sokoto Residents lauds EFCC
By Ahmed Mohammed
Some Sokoto residents on Tuesday commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday for arresting former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal over alleged fraud of N189 billion.
Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi, an 89-year-old man from Kebbe Local Government Area, said the arrest is the best thing that has happened in recent times.
He described the eight-year Tambuwal administration as a disaster, stating that public funds meant for projects to improve well-being were diverted for selfish interests.
Tambuwal is considered one of the worst governors. The residents want the EFCC to recover their funds and prosecute anyone involved in stealing public funds.
Hajiya Safara’u Umaru of Tangaza Local Government Area called on the EFCC to recover all funds diverted and vehicles stolen by Tambuwal and his close associates.
She alleged that government properties were shared among the political class during the Tambuwal administration.
Musa Tanko, a commercial motorcycle operator in Emir Yahaya Sokoto South Local Government Area, stated that Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s greatest achievement as Governor was allegedly stealing public funds.
Socioeconomic activities were severely impacted in and around Sokoto during Tambuwal’s eight-year administration.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should recover all funds fraudulently diverted, as well as houses and vehicles stolen by Tambuwal and his close associates.
Moses Okafo, a businessman at Sahara, urged the EFCC to prosecute Tambuwal to serve as a deterrent to others who might consider similar acts.
This call comes after the EFCC arrested Tambuwal over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals totaling N189 billion during his tenure as governor of Sokoto State.
The EFCC alleges that Tambuwal’s administration diverted nearly N189 billion from state accounts to private individuals.
The diverted funds were allegedly received by individuals including Abubakar Mohammed Barau, Abubakar Bello Gandi, Buba S. Sambo, Kabir Aminu Tafida, Shuabi Mohammed, and the Permanent Secretary of the Sokoto State Government House.
Investigation, The EFCC’s investigation revealed strange transactions in the state’s accounts from January 1, 2015, to August 31, 2021.
Hajiya Aishatu Ibrahim, an operator of a commercial motorcycle in Arkilla, Sokoto, believes Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s most notable action as Governor was the alleged theft of public funds.
During his eight-year tenure, government activities were severely hampered, with many civil servants reportedly absent from work.
The socioeconomic fabric of Sokoto and its surroundings was significantly impacted. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should prioritize recovering the diverted funds, as well as assets such as houses and vehicles acquired by Tambuwal and his associates through illicit means.
Mr. Gabriel Joseph, a businessman based near the old airport, has called on the EFCC to prosecute Tambuwal to deter others from engaging in similar corrupt practices.
Tambuwal is accused of orchestrating fraudulent cash withdrawals totaling N189 billion during his tenure as Governor of Sokoto State from 2015 to 2023.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is probing Tambuwal for suspicious financial transactions that allegedly violated the Money Laundering (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the EFCC of selective prosecution, claiming the agency targets opposition figures while ignoring those from the ruling party.
This call comes after the EFCC arrested Tambuwal over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals totaling N189 billion during his tenure as governor of Sokoto State.
About The Author
The Kano State House of Assembly has expressed concern over what it described as injustice and regional imbalance in the ongoing recruitment exercise conducted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The lawmakers alleged that the process heavily favoured states from the southern part of the country, particularly the South-West region, at the expense of the North.
The concern followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Majority Leader, Alhaji Lawan Hussaini Dala, during Thursday’s plenary session.
Presenting the motion, Dala said the recruitment exercise violated the principles of Federal Character meant to ensure equity and fair representation in federal employment.
He said that out of a total of 1,785 persons recruited nationwide, the South-West received more than half of the total slots, describing the distribution as “grossly unfair and unacceptable.”
According to him, Lagos got 207 slots, Ogun 145, Ondo 132, Osun 127, Oyo 108 and Ekiti 93 — making a total of 812 recruits from the South-West alone.
“In comparison, the North-West received only about seven per cent of the total recruitment, with Kano getting 31, Katsina 20, Jigawa 18 and Zamfara 16,” he said.
Dala said the entire northern region got only 651 slots, while the majority were allotted to southern states.
He called on the House to officially communicate its position to relevant federal authorities, including the National Assembly, the Federal Character Commission (FCC) and the Nigeria Customs Service, to demand a review of the exercise in the interest of fairness and inclusivity.
The Majority Leader warned that continued regional imbalance in federal employment could fuel mistrust and threaten national unity.
Other members who contributed to the debate supported the motion and urged northern lawmakers at the National Assembly to take up the matter for redress.
They stressed that equitable representation in federal recruitment remained vital to sustaining Nigeria’s unity and promoting a sense of belonging among citizens.
In his ruling, the Speaker, Alhaji Jibril Ismail Falgore, commended Dala for raising the motion, describing it as patriotic and in defence of justice and fairness.
He directed the relevant House Committee to investigate the recruitment figures and report back for further legislative action.
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500 NNPP supporters defect to APC in Kano
Defection
Kano, Five hundreds of members of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) from Fagge and Ungogo Local Government Areas of Kano State have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Managing Director of the Hadejia-Jam’are River Basin Development Authority, Engr. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, received the defectors on Tuesday, saying their move reflects growing confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and APC’s progressive vision.
Bichi noted APC’s development-oriented policies were attracting Nigerians, citing defection of some governors as testament to the party’s strength.
He assured new members of equal opportunity and integration into APC, saying no member would be marginalized.
Bichi highlighted APC-led government’s visionary policies on food security and economic growth, noting Hadejia-Jam’are River Basin’s modern irrigation techniques align with Tinubu’s food security agenda.
Former APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, represented by Kano APC Chairman Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, commended defectors for joining APC, assuring them of sustainable development commitment.
Kano Central APC Chairman Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Ungogo said Tinubu’s policies had boosted Nigeria’s economy, restoring public confidence in APC.
Defectors cited APC’s developmental strides and commitment to improving Nigerians’ lives as reasons for their move, expressing optimism it would enhance party’s grassroots strength ¹ ² ³.
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MD Hadejia-Jam’are River Basin Welcomes Hundreds of NNPP Members into APC
By Ahmed Mohammad Kano
The Managing Director of the Hadejia-Jam’are River Basin Development Authority, Eng.Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, on Tuesday received hundreds of defectors from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) into the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Fagge and Ungogo Local Government Areas of Kano State.
Speaking at the reception ceremony, Bichi said the mass defection was a clear indication of the growing confidence Nigerians have in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the progressive vision of the APC.
He noted that Nigerians were increasingly embracing the party due to its development-oriented policies, adding that the recent defection of some state governors to the APC was further proof of the party’s strength and national appeal.
Bichi assured the new members of equal opportunity and full integration into the party, stating that no member would be marginalized.
He said the APC-led Federal Government had introduced visionary policies aimed at uplifting the welfare of citizens, particularly in areas of food security and economic growth.
Highlighting the contributions of the Hadejia-Jam’are River Basin Development Authority, the Managing Director revealed that modern irrigation techniques have been introduced in line with President Tinubu’s food security agenda and efforts to boost agricultural productivity.
In a goodwill message, the immediate past National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, represented by the Kano State APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, commended the defectors for their decision to join the ruling party.
He assured them that they would not regret their decision, as the APC remains committed to delivering sustainable development across the country.
Also speaking, the Kano Central APC Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Ungogo, who represented Abbas, said President Tinubu’s policies had significantly boosted the nation’s economy, thereby restoring public confidence in the APC.
Some of the defectors, while speaking to journalists, said their decision was influenced by the developmental strides of the APC-led government and the party’s commitment to improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
They expressed optimism that their defection would contribute to the party’s grassroots strength and overall success in future elections.
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