Weekly political notes

Kwankwaso, Ganduje Supporters Clash In Kano
Several people were injured in Kano, on Saturday, as violence was unleashed among supporters of the state governor Abdullahi Ganduje and those of his predecessor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Two of those who sustained injuries and were reportedly hospitalised were former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) under Kwankwaso administration, Rabiu Bichi, and the ex-governor’s younger brother, Sani.

According to the report, the ugly incident took place, when the two groups accidentally met at the palace of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, just before the commencement of a traditional celebration, Hawan Daushe.

Haba, Kwankwaso and Ganduje supporters again!!! What are they fighting for, if not for the selfish political interests of their paymasters, who have continued to use them as cannon fodders? While the political differences between Kwankwaso and his estranged godson and successor, Ganduje is no longer news, its consequences may be dangerous for the people and development of the state.

Not even the palace of Emir of Kano was spared or respected in the fight. Emir Sanusi could not stop the warring supporters from using his palace as a battlefield. But what does one expect Emir Sanusi to do, especially when his interventions in the past nearly cost him his seat. Besides, his office is tied to the apron strings of the state government. So, Emir Sanusi’s studied silence is not intentional, but circumstantial.

The disagreement between Kwankwaso and Ganduje is not about the development of the state or wellbeing of the people, but their personal and political interests. So, why should people risk their lives fighting for politicians, if not that they have allowed themselves to be enslaved.

Ordinary Nigerians Need To Feel Impact Of Exiting Recession– Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State, said the real impact of coming out of recession would be better felt, when ordinary Nigerians experience a change in their living conditions.

President Buhari, who received the President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou, in his house in Daura, said he was very happy to hear that the country was finally out of recession, adding that the real gain should be improved conditions for Nigerians.

This is blunt and vintage President Buhari for you. He says it the way it is. He does not care what and how his spin doctors and members of the economic team, who would have preferred to make mountain out of molehill over the country’s exit from recession feel.

It is not surprising that just like majority of Nigerians, Buhari is cautiously optimistic about the report. His position is a pointer that the economic team and his government still have a lot to do to improve the country’s economy.

Ordinary statistics is not enough to prove that Nigeria has exited from recession. It must be reflective and realistic in the lives of the people, especially in areas of unemployment and improved living condition.

Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu Is Talking Nonsense- Edwin Clark
Elder statesman, Edwin Clark, on Tuesday condemned the Biafra agitation led by Nnamdi Kanu.Clark made this known when the Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt, Shehu Sani, visited him in his Abuja residence.

He further condemned the quit notice by the Arewa Group to Igbos in the North, saying it was worrisome.He warned that secession or agitation were not the way to go on restructuring the country.He said: “When Kanu talks about Biafra, he is talking nonsense. We do not want a second war. The Igbos have been living in the North for over 100 years. I condemn all of them.”

While there is element of truth in Clark’s postulation, he should have gone a step further to address the fundamental issues that fuelled Biafra agitation. Issues like the marginalisation of the Southeast zone in the affairs of the country since President Buhari came into office is one of them. Typical of such marginalisation is the recent appointment in the NNPC, where nobody from the zone was considered worthy of being appointed or elevated.

Even though, Clark is known for his bluntness, he should be reminded that agitation for Biafra is not a prelude to another civil war, but an expression of the right to self-determination and freedom.

After all, Clark has always been supportive of Niger Delta agitation, why not Biafran agitation? Meanwhile, when has it become an offence for one to ask for equity and fairness in a country where he is a key stakeholder?

CJN, Okonjo-Iweala, Fayemi, Fayose, Others Under Probe-EFCC
A recent report in one of the national dailies has given the names of some high profile personalities being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to the report, top on the list of those being probed are; the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen; Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State; his predecessor and the current Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and the immediate past Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and others.

The list was said to have been recently sent by the EFCC to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), based on request.

Ordinarily, this development shouldn’t be news, considering that the anti-graft agency (EFCC) had toed the same path before, without any meaningful outcome. It seems to be more of a publicity stunt, than a reality.

It would be recall that ahead of 2007 elections, then EFCC Czar, Nuhu Ribadu, told Nigerians that majority of the outgoing governors were under probe. Till date, not many of them have been diligently prosecuted. While some are walking free, others are occupying elective and appointive public positions in the country.

What people want to hear or see is the prosecution of corrupt leaders and not the endless probe that is being advertised. The dummy is no longer acceptable, especially with present government wanting to kill corruption before it kills the country.

Police Commission Confirms Senator Misau’s Retirement Letter As Authentic
The Police Service Commission (PSC), on Wednesday, confirmed the retirement letter of Isah Misau, Chairman Senate Committee on Navy, from the force to be authentic. The Nigeria Police Force on August 27 declared Misau a deserter and accused him of carrying a forged retirement letter.

Misau was invited by the commission to appear before its Special Panel investigating the genuineness or otherwise of the two letters of retirement emanating from the commission.

Misau in series of interviews had accused the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, of taking bribe to post police officers, as well as diverting money paid by private companies for police duties.

The Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, said in Abuja, that the committee confirmed that the letter was issued by the commission. He said Misau who did not appear before the committee, did not give any reason for his absence. Ani said that the retirement letter with ref: No PSC 1034 Vol.8/244, was issued on March 4, 2014 but took effect from December. 1, 2010

Now that the Police Service Commission has confirmed that Senator Misau retired from service untainted, is this not a huge embarrassment to the Force? Where did the Police got the retirement letter it alleged to have been forged by Misau?

With this development, is it wrong for one to conclude that the Police is either very poor in thorough investigation or that it intentionally engages in witch-hunt. Now, that Misau case has been investigated and cleared, what happens to his allegation that the IGP is corrupt? It is hoped that, that too will be quickly investigated and not buried under the carpet as usual.

The Police should be made to tender unreserved apology to Misau for maligning his character. This is another gaffe on the side of the Police leadership especially, IGP that needs to defend himself against the allegation of corruption.

Even If Buhari Runs In 2019, I Will Support Atiku-Minister Alhassan
The Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan, has restated her position that she will support the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, for the 2019 presidential election.

Alhassan, in an interview with BBC Hausa Service, added that even if President Muhammadu Buhari decides to contest in 2019, she would still support Mr. Abubakar.

“Atiku is my godfather even before I joined politics,” she said in Hausa. “And again, Baba Buhari did not tell us that he is going to run in 2019.”

“Let me tell you today that if Baba said he is going to contest in 2019, I swear to Allah, I will go before him and kneel and tell him that ‘Baba I am grateful for the opportunity you gave me to serve your government as a minister, but Baba just like you know I will support only Atiku because he is my godfather. If Atiku said he is going to contest.”

There is nothing shocking about Minister Alhassan’s position, unless for those who are not conversant with her antecedents. She is very courageous and daring, when it has to do with expressing her feelings. It would be recall that before now, she had accused Buhari government of not empowering women enough and not doing well for APC in her home state of Taraba.

No doubt, she has always been Atiku’s strong political ally right from their days in PDP. So, it is not a big deal that she openly confessed her unalloyed political loyalty to Atiku. She should be commended for the rare feat, which is not common among prostituting and treacherous Nigerian politicians.

Atiku, over to you, don’t disappoint Alhassan and others who are waiting in the wing for your declaration. But whether their support will be solid enough to help actualise Atiku’s age-long presidential ambition will be seen with time.