Senate’s Arrest Order Against Kyari Raises Due Process Concerns – Arewa Youths

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The Arewa Youth Assembly for Good Leadership (AYAGL) has condemned the arrest order reportedly issued against the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Mele Kyari, by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, describing the action as capable of undermining the principles of fairness and due process.

In a statement issued on Thursday  signed by its president, Alhaji Danbature Abdul, the group expressed concern over what it described as a growing trend of trial by media and premature public judgment before the conclusion of investigations.

AYAGL acknowledged the constitutional oversight responsibilities of the National Assembly but stressed that such powers must be exercised in accordance with justice, fairness, and established legal procedures.

The group noted that reports indicated that Kyari had communicated his inability to appear before the committee due to medical treatment outside the country and had expressed readiness to honour the invitation upon his return.

According to the youth organisation, the decision to issue an arrest order under such circumstances raises questions about proportionality and respect for due process.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us. No individual, institution, region or political group owns this country. Every Nigerian citizen deserves to be treated fairly and accorded the constitutional right to be heard before judgment is passed,” the statement said.

AYAGL also appealed to Senator Adams Oshiomhole to ensure that the matter is handled in a manner that does not create the impression of personal bias.

The group described Oshiomhole as a respected national leader with a longstanding reputation for advocating justice, democracy and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, urging him to promote objectivity and national cohesion in the handling of the matter.

It further warned against attempts by individuals or groups to use public institutions to settle scores or discredit achievements recorded in the petroleum sector during Kyari’s tenure at NNPCL.

The organisation maintained that under Kyari’s leadership, the national oil company witnessed significant reforms, including the publication of audited financial statements, implementation of key provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), strengthening of corporate governance structures, attraction of investments, refinery rehabilitation efforts and initiatives aimed at improving accountability across the petroleum value chain.

While insisting that no public official should be shielded from scrutiny, AYAGL stressed that investigations must not be transformed into persecution or public conviction before the establishment of facts.

The group also called on national leaders to focus attention on pressing challenges facing the country, including insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment and youth development.

According to AYAGL, national discourse should be directed towards strengthening economic reforms, promoting national unity and addressing issues affecting the daily lives of citizens rather than creating distractions capable of deepening divisions.

It therefore urged the Senate Committee on Public Accounts and other stakeholders to ensure that all investigations are conducted professionally, fairly and without prejudice.

The group reiterated its commitment to accountability, transparency and the rule of law, while rejecting any attempt to criminalise or demonise individuals before the conclusion of due process.

“Nigeria’s democracy will flourish when justice is guided by evidence, fairness and due process, not by media sensationalism, political pressure or public hysteria,” the statement added. :

ENDS

Tinubu Secures 5,652 Votes in Kebbi Governor’s Ward as Idris, Dakingari, Bagudu Lead Mobilisation

Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, alongside the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, and Ambassador Saidu Usman Dakingari, successfully mobilised support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who secured 5,652 votes in Nassarawa II Ward, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

Declaring the results after collation, the Kebbi State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abubakar Kana-Zuru, announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu polled 5,652 votes in the Governor’s ward.

The APC chairman commended the electorate for their orderly conduct and coordination, which contributed to the party’s victory.

While monitoring the elections across the state, including in the Argungu Emirate, Governor Idris described the exercise as peaceful, hitch-free, and successful.

According to him, the outcome reflects the overwhelming love and support the people of Kebbi State have for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The governor and his entourage also visited Nassarawa I Ward, where he expressed delight over the massive turnout recorded across polling units in the state.

“I am overwhelmed by the large number of people who came out en masse to vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the governor stated.

In Nassarawa I Ward, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also secured 2,652 votes, according to the officially declared results.

Governor Idris thanked the people of Kebbi State for their continued support for the APC and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering more dividends of democracy across the state.

He further urged the people of the state to reciprocate the support and benefits extended to Kebbi State through the efforts of President Tinubu by turning out en masse to support him in the general elections.

APC Primaries: Aliero Secures Kebbi Central Senatorial District Ticket as Rivals Step Down

Senator Adamu Aliero has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer for Kebbi Central Senatorial District after securing the party’s senatorial ticket.

Announcing the result in Birnin Kebbi on Monday, the Chairman of the APC Primary Election Committee for Kebbi Central, Comrade Garba Muhammad, expressed satisfaction with the peaceful and orderly conduct of the exercise.

He commended stakeholders for ensuring a transparent and rancour-free primary process.

“Having fulfilled all the requirements of the law and APC regulations, I hereby declare Senator Adamu Aliero as the APC flag bearer for Kebbi Central Senatorial District,” Muhammad said.

In his remarks, Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, thanked Almighty Allah for the smooth conduct of the exercise and praised the people of Kebbi State for their support and confidence in his administration.

He also lauded the reconciliation committee under the leadership of Ambassador Saidu Usman Nasamu, for persuading other aspirants to step down, thereby ensuring a peaceful resolution.

“The committee did a remarkable job. I thank Kabiru Giant for stepping down unconditionally for Senator Aliero. In Kebbi North, Dr. Hussaini Kangiwa stepped down for Senator Yahaya Abubakar-Abdullahi, while in Kebbi South, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah stepped down for Ja’afar Muhammad Gajere,” the Governor said.

“I thank all of them for placing the unity of the party above personal interest. This demonstrates that, by the grace of God, we will secure victory in all elective positions in 2027,” he added.

Governor Idris commended the APC State Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kana-Zuru, for providing leadership that has united party members across the state.

He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, noting that Kebbi State had benefited immensely from numerous federal projects and programmes under the current administration.

“We have witnessed significant development under President Tinubu’s administration. We must not only deliver Kebbi State for him in 2027, but also secure overwhelming votes for him and all APC candidates at every level,” he said.

Earlier, the State APC Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kana-Zuru, recalled that two aspirants had initially contested for the Kebbi Central ticket — Senator Adamu Aliero and Alhaji Kabiru Giant. He explained that Kabiru Giant later withdrew from the race through a formal letter to the party, paving the way for Senator Aliero to emerge unopposed.

In his acceptance remarks, Senator Aliero thanked Almighty Allah for the opportunity to serve once again and appreciated Governor Idris for his role in reconciling aspirants and promoting unity within the party.

He pledged to provide quality representation to the people and urged all aspirants to unite with the winners to ensure victory for the APC in the 2027 general elections.

“Our cooperation and unity are critical to the success of the APC at all levels in the 2027 general elections,” he said.

Mai Kero Wins APC Ticket for Kaduna South Federal Constituency 2027

Hon. Hussaini Abdulkarim Ahmed, popularly known as Mai Kero, has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for Kaduna South Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Sharifudeen Ibrahim Muhammad, the office said Mai Kero secured the ticket through a consensus arrangement ratified by the party.

The results were announced on Saturday at the APC State Secretariat in Kaduna by Chairman of the Primary Election Committee, Senator Yakubu Hussaini. According to him, Mai Kero polled 1,130 affirmative votes to emerge winner. He added that the exercise was conducted in line with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.

Mai Kero, who represents Kaduna South Federal Constituency and serves as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Host Communities, thanked the APC leadership, delegates, and the people of Kaduna South for their trust and support.

He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Kaduna State Governor Malam Uba Sani, CON, for their leadership and commitment to party cohesion and development in the state.

The lawmaker acknowledged fellow contenders who stepped down from the race, including Hon. Kabiru Yakubu Jarimi, for their sacrifice toward party unity. He said he was extending the hand of fellowship to them and called on all aspirants to work together for APC’s victory in 2027.

“This victory belongs to the people of Kaduna South. It is a mandate to continue the work we started in delivering quality representation, infrastructure, education, and empowerment programs,” Mai Kero said.

Since assuming office, Mai Kero has facilitated free eye care and surgery for over 5,000 people across Kaduna State, constructed more than 10km of roads in Kaduna South Federal Constituency, and provided educational scholarships both locally and internationally. 

He also oversaw the construction of N1.5 billion educational facilities at Government Girls Secondary School Maimuna Gwarzo and a state-of-the-art Skills Acquisition Center at Kurmin Mashi. Other interventions include youth and women empowerment programs, and support for farmers.

On legislative work, he single-handedly sponsored a bill addressing land degradation caused by yearly flooding in Kaduna South Local Government, with a focus on accessing Ecological Funds for remediation.

He pledged to build on these gains and work with all stakeholders to ensure greater development for the constituency.

Capacity Movement President Alleges Manipulation of Reps Primary in Kaduna, Warns Against Imposition

National President of Capacity Movement, Alhaji Sani Shehu Sado, has alleged widespread irregularities and manipulation in the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election in parts of the state.

Sado accused some government-backed interests of coercing party leadership to do the bidding of powerful political actors at the expense of internal democracy and the wishes of party members.

In a statement made available to journalists, the movement President claimed that there was an absence of party leaders and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in more than 95 percent of the wards monitored during the exercise in wards within Kaduna metropolis and that it may be worse in rural areas, raising concerns over the credibility and transparency of the process.

He alleged that the primary election was characterized by manipulation, exclusion of genuine delegates, and attempts to impose preferred candidates on party members.

According to him, “members must be allowed to freely choose flag bearers in a free, fair, and credible primary election devoid of intimidation, coercion, and political interference.”

Sado warned that the party risks losing public confidence and support ahead of the general election if urgent steps are not taken to address grievances arising from the exercise.

He said the APC must retrace its steps and return to the principles of fairness, justice, and internal democracy upon which the party was founded or risk facing serious consequences during the main election.

Alhaji Sado further stated that aggrieved members and stakeholders should resist all forms of irregularities capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process going forward and in other primaries.

Political observers say allegations of manipulation and imposition of candidates have remained recurring issues in party primaries across the country, often leading to internal crises, litigations, and defections ahead of major elections.

Efforts to get an official reaction from the Kaduna State chapter of the APC on the allegations were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

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Gov. Idris Launches Digital Training to Boost Workers’ Service Delivery

The Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, has launched a digital training programme for civil servants in the state aimed at boosting effective service delivery.

Flagging off the training exercise at the ultra-modern State Secretariat in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, the governor reminded workers that the present administration belongs to them, hence the need to sustain their support and cooperation.

“Nobody is better than you as far as this administration is concerned. Some people say a labour leader or a teacher cannot run the affairs of a state.

“With the help of Almighty God and your support, today, a teacher is successfully steering the affairs of this administration,” he said.

Speaking on the significance of the training, Gov. Idris stated that the programme was designed to give workers a sense of belonging and create a conducive atmosphere for them to work efficiently and effectively.

The governor also promised to improve the welfare of workers through schemes that would enhance their living standards, adding that such initiatives would include car, motorcycle, and housing loans.

Highlighting some of his administration’s achievements, Gov. Idris disclosed that the government had renovated, reconstructed, and furnished over 2,000 schools, rehabilitated and equipped 22 hospitals, renovated 192 primary healthcare centres, abolished casualisation, absorbed all casual workers, and recruited 5,244 workers across different sectors.

He further noted with satisfaction that the present administration was not owing salaries, pensions, gratuities, or death benefits, assuring workers that the government remained up to date in all payments.

The governor added that the Kebbi State Government had implemented the new minimum wage of ₦75,000, which he noted is above the Federal Government’s approved ₦70,000 minimum wage.

He urged civil servants to continue supporting government policies and programmes to ensure improved performance and development in the state.

Also speaking, the Head of Service, TPL Malami Shekare, thanked the governor for providing a conducive working environment and prioritising the training and retraining of civil servants.

He assured the governor of the readiness of civil servants to continue supporting and cooperating with his administration in moving Kebbi State to greater heights.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Innovation and Digital Economy, Ibrahim Mohammad Sakaba, commended the governor for initiating the training programme.

He explained that the e-governance initiative would equip civil servants with essential digital skills for modern public administration.

About 2,000 junior and middle cadre workers are expected to participate in and benefit from the training programme.

The event also featured the presentation of a “Digital Governor” award to Dr. Nasir Idris by the Commissioner for Innovation and Digital Economy, Ibrahim Mohammad Sakaba.

ADC Youth Forum Endorses Shuaibu Idris for Kaduna Governorship

The Kaduna State chapter of the ADC Youth Consultative Forum has endorsed Hon. Shuaibu Idris mni, popularly known as Mikatai, for the governorship ticket of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the next gubernatorial election in Kaduna State.

The group said the endorsement followed what it described as extensive consultations and careful assessment of the political realities and leadership needs of the state.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Aminu Yahaya, the forum said the endorsement was based on merit, competence, leadership capacity and integrity rather than sentiment or ethnic considerations.

According to the group, Kaduna State requires “a leader who understands governance, possesses intellectual depth, commands integrity, and has the practical capacity to unite and develop the state.”

The forum described Shuaibu Idris as an experienced and intellectually sound personality with the capacity to address the state’s socio-economic and political challenges.

It noted that his educational background, administrative experience and human resource management skills distinguished him among contemporary political figures in the state.

The group also cited his integrity, credibility and grassroots acceptance as part of the reasons behind the endorsement.

“At a time when citizens are demanding transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership, Hon. Shuaibu Idris stands out as a man of integrity and credibility,” the statement said.

The forum further stated that the aspirant possessed the financial and economic understanding required to drive investment, youth empowerment and infrastructure development in Kaduna State.

It added that Idris had continued to demonstrate political maturity and bridge-building capacity across different divides.

The group called on the leadership of the ADC, party stakeholders, youth and women groups, religious and community leaders, as well as residents of Kaduna State, to support Idris’ governorship ambition.

According to the forum, the endorsement reflects the aspirations of youths seeking “competent, visionary and people-oriented leadership” in the state.