Hundreds of stranded train passengers on Sunday protested over alleged underhand dealings in the sale of tickets for the Kaduna-Abuja train service.

https://www.africaprimenews.com/2017/11/22/news/us-navy-aircraft-carrying-11-crashes-off-japan/

The Kano State Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, on Saturday tendered his letter of resignation to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje amid political crisis.

Abubakar’s notice of resignation was contained in a letter he wrote to Ganduje dated Aug. 4, 2018.

The outgoing Deputy Governor said he had desired to remain in office until the end of their tenure, but chose to resign due to irreconcilable differences with the governor.

“I regret to write and notify you of my decision to resign my position as Deputy Governor of Kano State with effect from Saturday 4th August, 2018.

“Your Excellency, I would have desired to remain up to the end of our tenure in order to fulfill the aspirations and expectations of the good people of Kano State as expressed in their mandate given to our joint ticket in 2015.

“But with the current and persistent irreconcilable differences on matters relating to governance and government operations, personal opinions, and the concept of, and respect for, democratic ideals and values.

“It would be unfair to my conscience, to the good people of Kano State and to you as the head of the government to continue to remain in my position as the Deputy Governor.

“Your Excellency would recall several instances I had to draw your attention to the need to understand and appreciate these differences in order to avoid drifting into the kind of unnecessary crisis we are facing today, but to no avail,” the letter reads in part.

“I have endured immeasurable and unjustifiable humiliation for over two and half years without any reason other than my principled position on issues of governance and the desire to keep the government on track,” the letter added.

When contacted, the state Commissioner of Information, Malam Mohammed Garba, confirmed receipt of the resignation letter by Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje.

Abubakar, a loyalist of former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, has been at loggerheads with the state governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, for siding with the former governor, now Sen Rabi’u Kwankwaso, in the political impasse in the state.

NAN recalled that the former Deputy Governor, Prof Hafiz Abubakar had on Tuesday, July 31, petitioned the state police Commissioner, Mr Rabi’u Yusuf and Department of Security Service over alleged threat to his life and plans to impeach him.

https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/08/01/politics/nigeria-2019-how-kaduna-taken-hostage-by-strangers-says-pdp-vows-to-floor-el-rufai-on-election-day/

By Mohammed Ibrahim

A group under the auspices of El’rufai Win Ambassadors Project has lambasted Shehu Sani, the Senator Representing Kaduna Central, over his allegiance to President Muhammadu Buhari and All Progressive Congress (APC).

The group, based in Kaduna, northern Nigeria described Sen. Sani’s allegiance to Mr. Buhari and APC as fake and urged loyalists of the President not be carried away by the Senator’s recent fake allegiance.

The group said “it beats” their “imagination” that a man who called President Buhari and Governor El-Rufa’i unprintable names still claims to be a loyalist of the party.

The Convener of the Win Project, Zubairu Mukhtar made the statement at a news briefing on Sunday in Kaduna.

“As youth who have the interest of the good people of Kaduna state at heart and children yet unborn, it is our collective responsibility to sensitize the good people of Kaduna State on the major setback brought to us by Senator Shehu for his personal motives of scoring cheap popularity and selfish political gains.

“What manner of APC loyalist would openly attack the personality of the President in the media more than even the opposition elements?

“How can an APC loyalist, who rode on the back of Buhari and El-rufai turn around to be the worst enemy of their people-oriented policies in fulfilment of their 2015 campaign promises to the masses?

“As we all know, the APC stands for integrity, justice and equity. It also stands against all political and social injustices, which saboteurs and opportunists like Shehu make a mockery of.

“We stand firm to say that we disassociate ourselves from any individual or political office holder who stands in the way of the collective progress and development of Kaduna State.

“We need a Senator who would stand up and fight for us, a man who loves all, a sincere gentleman who shares in the laudable vision, mission and programmes of President Buhari and Mal. Nasiru El-Rufa’i,” he said.

Mr. Muktar said, El-Rufa’i has been working tirelessly to ensure that all sectors of the state taste the dividends of democracy, namely Healthcare, Education, Agriculture, Youth and Women empowerment; Infrastructural development among others and anyone opposed to this is clearly an enemy of Kaduna State,” he said.

.

https://www.africaprimenews.com/2017/10/23/development/nigeria-kaduna-350m-loan-no-amount-pressure-will-make-compromise-shehu-sani/

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adewale Martins, on Saturday called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to do its best to ensure credible and transparent general elections in 2019.

A presidential hopeful,  Ahmed Makarfi, has ruled out the possibility of leaving the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for any other political party if he does not win the party’s ticket for the country’s top job in 2019.

He said he would rather quit politics, instead of joining any other political group.

Makarfi said this on Saturday while addressing newsmen at the PDP secretariat in Minna, the Niger State capital.

NAN reports that Makarfi is in Minna to drum up support for his presidential bid in 2019.

“If I leave PDP, I would leave politics. If I was to leave PDP, I could have defected a long time ago.So that possibility is not there,” he said

The one time governor of Kaduna said he predicted the recent mass defections to PDP, adding that the biggest challenge is managing it.

“I welcome all the defectors and as a matter of fact I predicted it. I said it that after the APC convention you would see a lot of defections and that’s what has happened.

“But the challenge is how to manage it. If we manage it well, the party would be better for it but if we don’t we may run into problems,” he said.

His position in Minna on the defectors, is softer than what he said in Lokoja on Friday, when he warned his party against giving them special treatment.

The said if not for the steadfastness of committed members, PDP could have become history.

“Some people when you pinch them like this (touching his arm), they will run to another party. When the going was tough, I stayed on… but you accept them into your house and give them your guest room. Next, they take the Master Bedroom; next, they drive you out of your house. We must not allow this, nor give undue advantage to them, so that we do not alienate our people.

“Modu Sheriff was brought from another party; they said he had three jets; he had billions, but what did he do? He was taking the party down, but I, the ‘bush boy,’ with the support of others, I was able to make members close ranks, and today, we can all see.”

Makarfi said Senator Bukola Saraki should be left alone as Senate President because he has not breached any provision of the constitution on account of his defection from APC to PDP.

“The constitution says the senators should elect from among themselves and not from the majority party”, said Makarfi, who also was a senator from 2007 to 2011.

“Party affiliations are only attached to other positions like minority whip, majority leader and so on

“Therefore, Saraki should be left alone because he was elected based on constitutional provisions and his continued stay is lawful,” he added

He noted that addressing issues of insecurity, unemployment, power, infrastructure and national unity would be his top priorities if given the chance to lead the country.

“A basket of issues including security, infrastructure and power would be top of my priorities.

“National cohesion is also key because we are divided and getting more divided by the day.

“And this national cohesion is where the issue of restructuring comes in as it will address unemployment,” he added.

NAN reports that Makarfi is a former governor of Kaduna State and immediate past national chairman of the PDP.

https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/05/22/politics/nigeria-we-never-discuss-individuals-ambition-towards-2019-northern-groups-react/