Nigerian-British politician, Mrs Abigail Marshall Katung, has emerged as the first African Lord Mayor of Leeds, in the United Kingdom, and has been officially sworn in at a council meeting.

Abigail Marshall Katung takes over the role from Al Garthwaite to become the city’s 130th lord mayor and the first person of African descent to hold the position.

She is the wife of Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, representing Kaduna South Senatorial District.
“Since arriving in Leeds in 2000, the city quickly became my cherished second home,” Mrs Marshall Katung said.

Born in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria, Mrs Marshall Katung came to the United Kingdom to study at the University of Leeds.

She is an athletics coach, and recently became the Governor of Leeds City College in January 2024.

Her new position as the lord mayor of Leeds has made her the first elected councilor from Africa to hold the council position.

Mrs Katung has also become the second black person after Eileen Taylor and the 130th of all.

Speaking about the historic feat, Mrs Katung said her new position has become a glittering case of contribution for foreign students in the UK celebrated on the African continent.

“It was not just the city where I lived, studied and worked, it’s where I chose to raise my children and become a public servant,” she said.

“My appointment as lord mayor has been widely celebrated in the city’s African community and is a shining example of the enormous contribution international students make to UK society.

“As lord mayor of Leeds, I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure voices are heard from all areas of the city and every triumph is recognised and celebrated.”

The marital battle between Nigerian striker Olarenwaju Kayode and his estranged wife, Ezinne Kayode, has taken an ugly turn, with the latter instituting a legal action against her husband for allegedly claiming to be in possession of the negative DNA results of their three sons, Jason, Jayden and Jamin, SUNDAY PUNCH reports.

An enraged Dora, who is demanding the immediate issuance of a disclaimer, said she had to finally toe that path after Kayode’s claim about their children’s paternity went viral on various social media platforms on Saturday.

She buttressed her stance with a letter from her legal representatives dated May 24, 2024, titled ‘Re: Dissemination of false allegations concerning purported DNA test results of the three children of marriage’ and addressed to Kayode at 14, Tulip Road, Peacock Beach Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

The letter read in part, “It has come to our client’s attention that since May 24, 2024, various blogs and online platforms have been disseminating salacious stories about alleging results of a DNA reveal that none of the three children born during your marriage to our client belong to you.

“This scandalous and defaming story has spread rapidly, causing severe embarrassment to our client and children. Our client has reason to believe that these baseless, humiliating allegations were contrived and strategically planted by you across various media outlets with the malicious intent of tarnishing her reputation and causing irreparable harm to innocent children.”

The purported report allegedly made available to the media accused Ezinne of fraud, cheating on him with Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, stealing his two Mercedes SUVs to finance the pastor’s lifestyle, and abducting their three sons.

The allegations were extensively trashed by Ezinne in a subsequent post on Instagram, decrying the purported DNA test results and asking Kayode to make them public and state the hospital where they were conducted.

She wrote, “Honestly, I am so tired of this man’s nonsense, and it has to stop now. I knew he was not mentally stable when he pulled out a knife on me some months ago, but to go as far as ruining the lives of innocent kids is way too far. Kayode, I didn’t think you would go that low.

“I have kept quiet on all the rumours you have been spreading because they are baseless, childish, and false. But do you include innocent children? No, now I must speak.

“I have never sold any of my properties or cars and given the proceeds to any pastor, bishop, or imam in this world. In fact, all the rumours this mentally disturbed young man, Kayode, is sharing online are all false.”

Ezinne added, “The last couple of years in this marriage have been like hell on earth. I am so drained and in pain, and I just honestly pray this ordeal is all over soon. I do not wish this kind of abuse and oppression on any woman anywhere in the world. If your story is similar to mine, run away from that man and leave that marriage; you are not stuck! And I pray that God will heal you and send helpers your way like he has for me.”

Ostensibly trying to empty her heart on the issue in one day, the lawyer, who in her Instagram profile describes herself as a fierce queen, strong, unstoppable, exuding power, and elegant, wrote in the third post on Friday, “Olarenwaju Ayobami Kayode, my silence is enough. Don’t ever drag my kids into your web of lies. I urge you to provide the result of the DNA to the public and the hospital where it was conducted, as we are willing to give you the DNA. You traumatised my kids by detaining us in DSS custody.”

The reinstatement of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano on Thursday, and the consequent dethronement of Emir Ado Bayero, has come with dramatic twists, turns and intrigues, creating anxiety and a tense situation in the state.

The development, likened to the plot depicted in Game of Thrones, a Hollywood series, is laced with political maneuverings and undertones, setting the once peaceful state divided and on the fringe of implosion.

DAILY POST reports that the two royal families: Bayero and the Sanusi families are now in a supremacy battle over the highly coveted Emirate stool in the ancient city of Kano.

Recall that Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II beat Aminu Ado Bayero to succeed the latter’s father, Emir Ado Bayero, in 2014.

But six years later, Sanusi was deposed for his predecessor’s son, Aminu Ado Bayero, amid a fallout with the state government under former governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

However, four years later and with Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, in the saddle as the governor, Sanusi headed back to the throne on Thursday.

DAILY POST reported that the Kano State House of Assembly on Thursday passed the Kano Emirates Council Law (Repeal Bill) 2024, dethroning all the five first class Emirs of the state.

The House which passed the bill dissolved the five Emirates created by former governor Ganduje. Those were Bichi, Rano, Gaya, Karaye as well as the Kano Emirate.

According to the new law, all offices established under the amended law have been set aside thereby reviving the Single Emirate System in the state.

The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, claimed that the reinstatement of the deposed Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, was a fulfilment of his campaign promise.

In a statement by the spokesperson for the governor, Sanusi Bature, he said, “Governor Yusuf further articulated that the return of Muhammad Sanusi II back on throne will propel peace and prosperity, adding that the repeal of the council law was in realisation of his campaign commitments to restore the lost glory of the state and its rich cultural heritage.

“Everyone should go about his or her normal activities in the state, we have done what we believe is in the best interest of the state and its people.”

The governor further issued 48 hours to Aminu Ado Bayero and four other former first class chiefs to vacate their palaces and hand over all emirates property to the office of the deputy governor.

Controversial court order

However, a few hours to Sanusi’s reinstatement, a new twist was introduced to the ensuing drama as a Federal High Court in Kano granted an ex-parte order stopping Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from reinstating Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II pending the determination of a substantive suit filed against the reinstatement.

The order also halted the abolishment of four emirates: Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano.

The court, however, directed all parties involved to maintain status quo ante pending the determination of the suit filed by Sarkin Dawaki Babba and Aminu Babba-Dan’Agundi on Thursday.

Security agencies vow to obey controversial court order

Following the controversial court order, the joint security agencies, under the leadership of the Kano Police Commissioner, Muhammad Usaini Gumel, said they would obey the court order issued by a Federal High Court stopping the state government from reinstating Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.

The Police Commissioner, Muhammad Usaini Gumel, alongside other top security officers of the military, the DSS and others, warned that they would not allow anybody to break peace and unity of the State using what is happening in the Emirate Council.

“Our joint security resolved to keep peace in Kano, and the development surrounding the Emirates Council; the Police Command respects the court order, alongside other security agencies and we have resolved to ensure that we keep peace in the state,” he said.

He added that they would not be compelled by anybody to carry out any assignment.

“As far as the situation of the Emirate is concerned, we recognize the Emir who was there as stated by the Court, and we are only respecting Court orders which says status quo should be maintained and that is where we stay and stand,” he added.

The Police Commissioner further stated that, “the position of law is very clear that whoever tries to cause problems will be arrested without hesitation.

“Miscreants are advised to stay away from causing havoc in the State, as the safety of the people remain sacrosanct.”

Bayero returns to Kano

Amid the tense atmosphere in the State, Bayero was said to have been brought back to Kano and was at the Nasarawa Emir’s Rest House adjacent to the Ministry of Works.

It was gathered that he returned to the town in the early hours of Saturday.

The aircraft which conveyed the deposed Emir touched down at the Aminu Kano International Airport at about 4:30 am.

Yusuf orders Bayero’s arrest

However, as tension enveloped Kano over alleged forceful return of deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, Governor Yusuf, on Saturday ordered his immediate arrest.

The Governor, his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam and other top government functionaries also took over the Emir’s Palace in an effort to prevent the deposed Emir’s forceful return.

Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature, in a statement said that in the governor’s position as the State Chief Security Officer, he has ordered the arrest of the deposed Emir for violating the laws and his directives.

Ganduje using Ribadu to sustain deposed Kano Emir – Dep. Gov

Amid the confusion, the Kano State Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo, accused the immediate past governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje, of trying to impose the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero on the state.

Gwarzo made the allegation on Saturday while speaking to journalists at the Emir’s palace.

He said Ganduje was using the office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to achieve his objective.

He said: “It is unfortunate that the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, is using the National Security Adviser to create tension in the state by smuggling into the state, the former emir, Aminu Ado Bayero.

“The appointment and dethronement of Emir or any traditional title holder is solely the prerogative of the state government.

“I am here together with the governor and other top government functionaries to ensure that the new emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II starts exercising his power and authority immediately after he was given his appointment letter yesterday”.

Ribadu denies claim

However, in a swift reaction, the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Saturday, denied claims of providing air transport for the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero to return to the state.

Speaking through the spokesman of NSA office, Mallam Zakari Mijinyawa, Ribadu maintained that he did not provide the aircraft that returned the sacked Emir to Kano.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, he said: “I read the comments on social media, it is untrue.

“The NSA did not provide air transport to anyone to Kano.

“Political actors should desist from misinforming the public as law enforcement officials in the state strive to maintain peace and order.”

Bayero reacts

Deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, in his speech on Saturday, said justice will prevail over the issue surrounding the emirates in the state.

Bayero urged relevant authorities to ensure justice because nobody is above the law, urging residents to maintain law and order

He spoke on Saturday at the mini-palace where he has since returned to after his dethronement.

According to Ado-Bayero: “I call on the people to remain law-abiding while awaiting the outcome of the legal process in this tussle.

“We call on the authorities to do justice in this matter. Kano is a very influential state in Nigeria. Whatever affects Kano affects Nigeria. May peace reign in Kano. We pray for Allah to bless Kano with responsible and just leaders.

“Justice is the way to go on every issue. There will be justice. Nobody is above the law. We will accept whatever the law says. I appreciate all the people who have shown concern.

“As I said, justice will take its course. We will keep on praying for peace in Kano State. May Allah the Almighty protect us.”

*I didn’t give any directive – Kwankwaso*

A former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, insisted that he played no part in the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano.

Kwankwaso spoke with BBC Hausa, Kwankwaso, explaining that he never influenced the decision of the governor to reinstate Emir Sanusi.

” When I go there, I will hear what happened and I am sure they will tell me whatever happened, and whatever they tell me, we just pray for them. I heard the Assembly members have repealed the law.

“What we were telling them was they should go and investigate whether what happened was done out of goodwill or not. What happened appears to be a vendetta or cheating. It’s just a matter of did Ganduje did right or wrong. It’s not about going against him.

“I will go to Kano very soon and I will speak with some of the assembly members, especially the speaker, and the Governor on what is happening.”

*Allah is the best of planners – El Rufai*

However, immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, reacted to the reinstatement of his bosom friend, Muhammadu Sanusi II, as Emir of Kano by the Kano State government.

El-Rufai took to his Facebook page on Friday night, posting a cryptic message, evidently referring to the development in Kano Emirate.

In a post tagged ‘Friday Reminder’, with a quote from the Holy Qur’an, El-Rufai wrote: “But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.” – Holy Quran – Surah Al-Anfal (8:30).”

*Don’t plunge Kano into chaos – Council of Ullamas*

On its part, the Council of Ulamas in Kano has cautioned President Ahmad Bola Tinubu against using federal power to cause serious crises that could cripple Kano through his government’s alleged interference in the ongoing Emirate Council impasse.

The Council of Ulamas said it was worried that recent events in the Emirate, if not carefully handled, could escalate and degenerate into chaos.

In a statement signed by 18 members of the Ulama, the clergies expressed their concerns regarding the ongoing dispute over the emirship.

Ulama emphasised that it is important for Tinubu to take all necessary measures to uphold peace in the state.

The Council of Ulamas said it was worried that recent events in the Emirate, if not carefully handled, could escalate and degenerate into chaos.

“The State Governor also has a responsibility as the Chief Executive of the state. As the act in question has already been completed, there is no need for violent enforcement of any order or violent resistance to it. We vehemently oppose any measures that will escalate conflict in the state.

“Mr. President, as the leader of the nation, should not allow the contest for a royal stool to degenerate into violence. We are calling on Mr. President to allow the people of Kano State to resolve these issues amicably without the use of force and without loss of lives.”

He added, “Kano State is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria; therefore, we, the undersigned, call on both contending parties to use civil means in resolving their differences to allow peace to reign in the state.”

“As major stakeholders in the state, we want to assure Mr. President that we shall reach out to contenders to resolve the matter peacefully.”

FG will be held responsible for violence in Kano – Atiku

Reacting to the development, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said that the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government would be held responsible if violence breaks out in the state over the emirate crisis.

Atiku said Tinubu’s government was inviting anarchy to Kano State by providing security for the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero.

In a statement via his X handle, Atiku cautioned the federal government against destabilising the State.

“The action of the Federal Government in deploying soldiers in Kano in the tussle over the throne of the ancient city is an upset to the peace and security of the state, and also in breach of the 1999 Constitution as Amended.

“The foregoing circumstances happened within the confines of the law and in compliance with the powers conferred on the governor as provided by Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended; and also in consultation with the kingmakers of Kano, reappointed Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (also known as Muhammadu Sanusi II) as the 16th Emir of Kano State and accordingly handed him a letter of appointment.

“It is surprising that in the early hours of today, exactly at about 5:30 am the former Emir of Kano, His Majesty Aminu Ado Bayero, backed by Federal might made their way into the Nasarawa Palace of the Kano Emirate while the reappointed Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II was at the Gidan Dabo, which is the main residence of the Emir of Kano.

“In this wise, the former Emir could not have made his way into the Nasarawa Palace without the support of the Federal Government having done so with the support of the army and other security personnel in his company. The deployment of soldiers in extra constitutional matters such as this undermines the integrity of the Nigerian military.

“We need to remind the Tinubu administration that Kano State is known for peace and harmony spanning thousands of years and any attempt to destabilize the peace of the Land of Commerce shall be resisted. Recall that Muhammadu Sanusi II was dethroned on 9th March, 2020: dethroned, Kano forged on in peace without any fracas.

“We wish to state unequivocally that if for any reason, law and order breaks down in Kano State, particularly Kano Municipal, the Federal Government should be held responsible as the act of providing security cover to the former Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero to come back to Kano is an invitation to anarchy.”

Halt reign of madness unfolding in Kano – Inibehe Effiong

Meanwhile, a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong has cautioned the federal government against interfering in the Kano Emirship struggle.

Effiong specifically said that the central government has no authority to determine Emirship dispute, to appoint or enthrone anyone as Emir.

In a post on his X handle on Saturday, the legal expert said that President Bola Tinubu should urgently halt the reign of madness unfolding in Kano.

His statement comes after a team of joint security agencies, under the leadership of the Kano Police Commissioner, Muhammad Usaini Gumel, said they would obey the court order stopping the Kano State government from reinstating Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.

Gumel, alongside other top security officers of the military, the DSS and others, had warned they would not allow anybody to break peace and unity of the State using what is happening in the Emirate Council.

Many observers believe that the federal government is allegedly interfering in what is supposed to be a state matter.

However, Effiong, a human rights lawyer, advised that the State should not be set on fire because of partisan politics.

He said: “The federal Government has no authority to determine Emirship dispute or to appoint or enthrone anyone as Emir.

“It is the responsibility of the King Makers and the Governor to do so.

“President Tinubu should urgently halt the reign of madness that’s unfolding in Kano.

“Do not set the State on fire because of partisan politics.”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, asked Nigerians to hold President Bola Tinubu responsible should Kano State descend into anarchy on account of the ongoing tussle over the throne.

Atiku, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, in Abuja, described the deployment of soldiers to Kano by the Federal Government as an upset to the peace and security of the state, stressing that the action was in breach of the 1999 Constitution.

The statement reads: “In performing their constitutional duties of law making, the Kano State House of Assembly, KSHA, passed the amended Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 in consonance with the provision of Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution as Amended whereas the governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, subsequently signed into law the said bill. The law, therefore, repealed the 2019 version, which balkanized the ancient Kano Emirate into five.

“The foregoing circumstances happened within the confines of the law and in compliance with the powers conferred on the Governor as provided by Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended; and also in consultation with the Kingmakers of Kano, reappointed Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (also known as Muhammadu Sanusi II) as the 16th Emir of Kano State and, accordingly, handed him a letter of appointment.

“It is surprising that in the early hours of today, exactly at about 5:30 am the former Emir of Kano, His Majesty Aminu Ado Bayero, backed by federal might, made their way into the Nasarawa Palace of the Kano Emirate while the reappointed Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II was at the Gidan Dabo, which is the main residence of the Emir of Kano.

“In this wise, the former Emir could not have made his way into the Nasarawa Palace without the support of the Federal Government having done so with the support of the Army and other security personnel in his company. The deployment of soldiers in extra constitutional matters, such as this, undermines the integrity of the Nigerian military.

“We need to remind the Tinubu administration that Kano State is known for peace and harmony spanning thousands of years, and any attempt to destablise the peace of the Land of Commerce shall be resisted. Recall that when Muhammadu Sanusi II was dethroned on March 9, 2020, Kano forged on in peace without any fracas.

“We wish to state unequivocally that if for any reason, law and order breaks down in Kano State, particularly Kano Municipal, the federal government should be held responsible as the act of providing security cover to the former Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero to come back to Kano is an invitation to anarchy.”

President Bola Tinubu is ready to fire underperforming ministers who fail to deliver on targets set for them, the Presidency has said.

The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, speaking in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, said though the President was yet to decide on the ministers’ performances, he had told them to deliver on his administration’s eight-point agenda. He added that those found wanting would be asked to leave the cabinet.

Onanuga also rated the performance of the administration high as it approaches its first year in office, giving it a score of 70 per cent.

He said when President Tinubu took over, Nigeria was using 97 per cent of its revenue to service debt, and was borrowing for recurrent expenditure, which include the payment of salaries, adding that the administration brought the nation back from the brink of economic collapse with the implementation of bold policies, such as the removal of fuel subsidy, and the unification of the exchange rate.

Tinubu’s charge to ministers

President Bola Tinubu, had while inaugurating his 48 ministers, advisers, and other aides, urged them to put aside their personal interests and focus on his government’s immediate concern of pulling Nigeria out of poverty.

The President gave the advice at the close of a three-day retreat for ministers, permanent secretaries, presidential aides, and other top government officials at the State House, Abuja, last year after they were appointed.

He told the participants that they had the responsibility of changing the narrative about the country, noting that if they had any problem with Nigeria, they should have a conversation about it.

President Tinubu stressed the need for the officials to bond and ensure that the country recovered from ‘elephantiasis’.

He said, “We have gathered here to shape the future, no threat about it. The responsibilities we bear are not just titles; they are the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians.

“You might be ready to forget about the rest of the world but as a Nigerian, let’s go out there, let’s bond together and make sure our country is fully recovered from elephantiasis.

“Let me remind you that you are not here to make excuses; neither am I. I am your friend, brother, father and grandfather.

“You must put outside personal ambitions and focus on the progress of our nation. It is through this that we can be truly proud. I am proud to stand before you. I am very proud of all of you. And, I am proud of myself too. I contested the election and won with your support. They took me to court, and I won.”

The President also extracted the commitment of the ministers and other government officials to work together as a team to achieve the goals of his government, asking, “We are about to close this three-day cabinet retreat, are we proud that we are Nigerians? Are we sure that we’ve done this? Is the responsibility of the permanent secretary clear in partnership with the minister? Are we one family?

“Since we are one family and one nation, and we are in this vehicle together to change the narrative and bring about the economic prosperity of our country. Are we ready?”

The President further told his ministers and other aides, “We have a responsibility to our country to make sure we completely change the narrative about Nigeria.

“If we have problems, let’s talk to one another. Let’s have gentle conversations about our country. It is not about ‘just leave me alone, I’m going home’; you may not have a home.

“There’s nothing you can do successfully without good healthcare and poverty reduction. Like I said before, poverty is not a shameful thing, but it is not acceptable. Are we going to dig our people out of it?”

Struggling economy

There has, however, been some disquiet around the country as Tinubu counts days to his first anniversary.

From rising inflation to insecurity and a shaky exchange rate, the country, according to analysts, still has a long way to go.

Although the President inherited a struggling economy, he promised to get it running in no time.

Tinubu, in his 80-page policy document, highlighted an eight-point agenda, with national security and economy topping the list.

Others include agriculture, power, oil and gas, transportation, and education.

In his manifesto, Tinubu said his objective was to foster a new society based on shared prosperity, tolerance, compassion, and the unwavering commitment to treating each citizen with equal respect and due regard.

He promised to build a Nigeria, especially for the youth, where sufficient jobs with decent wages create a better life.

He said, “Manufacture, create and invent more of the goods and services we require. Nigeria shall be known as a nation of creators, not just of consumers. Export more and import less, strengthening both the naira and our way of life. Continue assisting our ever-toiling farmers, through enlightened agricultural policies that promote productivity and assure decent incomes, so that farmers can support their families and feed the nation.

“Modernise and expand public infrastructure so that the rest of the economy can grow at an optimal rate.

“Embolden and support our young people and women by harnessing emerging sectors such as the digital economy, entertainment, culture and tourism, and others to build the Nigeria of tomorrow, today.

“Train and give economic opportunities to the poorest and most vulnerable among us. We seek a Nigeria where no parent is compelled to send a child to bed hungry, worried whether tomorrow will bring food.”

He also vowed that his government would generate, transmit and distribute sufficient, affordable electricity to give people the requisite power to enlighten their lives, homes, and dreams.

“Make basic healthcare, education, and housing accessible and affordable for all; and, most importantly, establish a bold and assertive policy that will create a strong yet adaptive national security architecture and action to obliterate terror, kidnapping, banditry, and all other forms of violent extremism from the face of our nation.”

On May 29, as he was sworn in, the president removed petrol subsidy, which many economic analysts said was responsible for corruption and waste in the oil sector.

This was greeted by outrage, with protests erupting in several locations as a result of the high cost of Premium Motor Spirit, transportation, and food items.

Inflation rose astronomically and has continued to do so month-on-month. 

As of April 2024, the headline inflation rate increased to 33.69 per cent relative to the March 2024 headline inflation rate, which was 33.20 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

In February, the headline inflation rate increased to 31.70 per cent relative to the January 2024 headline inflation rate, which was 29.90 per cent.

Meanwhile, the February 2024 headline inflation rate showed an increase of 1.80 per cent (five points), when compared to the January 2024 headline inflation rate.

Unemployment also rose to about 4.1 per cent, with over 60 per cent of the youth either unemployed or underemployed.

Ministers’ assessment

In commemoration of his first anniversary in office, Tinubu directed his ministers to present their performance reports to Nigerians.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, while announcing this at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, said the low-key first-anniversary celebration would be marked with sectoral media briefings by the 47 federal ministers. 

Idris was joined at the press conference by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu.

On January 24, 2024, the agency in charge of the assessment, the Central Delivery Coordination Unit, trained at least 140 officials to track and assess the performance of federal ministries, departments and agencies ahead of the assessment.

Speaking on Arise TV’s News Night programme in April, the President’s Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman, who also heads the CDCU, affirmed that the unit had received performance reports from at least 20 ministries.

She explained that the assessment report would be the joint effort of the ministers, citizens and industry experts.

Meanwhile, in April, the Presidency unveiled a citizens’ feedback platform in a bid to get a ‘strong feedback loop between citizens and government’ on the eight priority areas of the current administration.

Bala-Usman, who disclosed this at the Go-Live event of the CDT held in Abuja that month, said the creation of the application was informed by President Tinubu’s decision to assess his ministers and heads of agencies based on key performance indicators.

Bala-Usman added that the eight priority areas for the assessment of the ministers’ performances in the App included reforming the economy to deliver sustained inclusive growth, strengthening national security for peace and prosperity, boosting agriculture to achieve food security, and unlocking energy and natural resources for sustainable development.

Others are to enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth; focus on education, health, and social investment as essential pillars of development; accelerate diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing and innovation; and improve governance for effective service delivery.

Also, in an interview in October 2023, Bala-Usman provided extensive details about the application and its expected deliverables.

She had said, “We are going to deploy an application— a software— where citizens can report back on project-based deliverables that the Federal Government has committed to doing within the period to 2024.”

Detailing the process at the time, she said, “We sat with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. We have worked effectively to define the exact deliverables for each ministry.

“Those deliverables cascade to the agencies of government. So, for example, you have deliverables for the health sector, and everything that is contained within the value chain or the ecosystem within that sector will be contained within the deliverables.

“Those deliverables are translated into key performance indicators for the respective ministries. Once you have your key performance indicators, you’re able to clearly understand what your deliverables are over the period of the four years of the administration.”

However, an analysis of the feedback reports from the application made available to Sunday PUNCH showed that some Nigerians rated the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman; and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammad Abubakar, very poorly, giving each of them one mark out of a possible five.

However, Onanuga insisted that the President had done well given what he met on the ground.

While promising that the administration would deliver more on its promises in the next 12 months, the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy said Tinubu would sack ministers who failed to perform and meet the targets set for them.

He said, “President Tinubu has already told them (the ministers) they will go if they can’t perform. He told them at the retreat last year that the government has an eight-point agenda, and he expects the ministers to deliver on it. Those who are found wanting would have to go. But, as of today, the President has not made any decision on that.”

Onanuga also stated that while the President had not announced that he would reshuffle his cabinet, he wanted them to be accountable, adding that that was why he asked them to present their scorecards, even though they had only spent eight months in office.

“The president has not said he is going to reshuffle. Let me explain something. None of those ministers have spent one year in office. They came in last August. The president wants them to be accountable. That’s why he told them to come out and give their scorecards, to talk about what they have done in the last eight months. When you see what they have done, you cannot but give this government, in its first year, a 7/10 for the various achievements that his ministers and, by extension, his government have achieved.”

Tinubu performance abysmal – PDP

However, the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party does not see anything good to cheer about the one year in office of President Tinubu.

Faulting claims by the All Progressives Congress that President Tinubu had done very well and that Nigerians would rate him highly, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, described the first year stewardship of the president as ‘an abysmal failure’.

Tinubu has not done well – LP

Also reacting, the Deputy President of the Labour Party, Ayo Olorunfemi, said the presidency was only deceiving Nigerians to think that President Bola Tinubu had done well in his first year in office.

He criticised the president and the APC, saying Tinubu’s administration had only taken citizens from ‘frying pan to fire’.

He said, “They have done well to themselves as a nuclear family. They are nuclear families. Nigeria is roasting in poverty, people can no longer feed, hopelessness has taken over the land, and anarchy is taking over. So, what is it that he has done? What is it that this government and its political party have done in the past nine years?

“They took us from frying pan to fire. That is exactly what they have done in the past nine years. I don’t think they have done anything good. They are just deceiving us, believing that Nigerians are fools.”

‘Govt performing poorly’

In his reaction, a public affairs analyst, Dr Emma Jimo, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, highlighted the government’s failure to address basic needs despite promises of renewed hope.

He said, “Pick education, for example. The government is performing poorly. Maybe the highest point is the government taking responsibility to pay the backlogs of the previous government’s indebtedness to ASUU. Even at that, it is still poor. Aside from that, look at what binds all Nigerians together – the economy.

“This government is performing poorly on the standard of living. The cost of living has gone up astronomically. The measures put in place to run the economy have not been working. They failed woefully, and they are still failing.”

In a similar vein, another analyst, Dr Anthony Ahmedu, told Sunday PUNCH that the current administration had disappointed Nigerians with its performance in one year, adding that it had continuously made poor decisions that were rejected by the citizens.

The academic said, “I had believed the Tinubu-led government would be able to take Nigeria to a greater height from the mess the previous administrations left us, looking at his (Tinubu’s) experience in politics, and especially his role in Lagos State. But to my utmost disappointment, the current administration has not met expectations at all.

“Economy wise, especially, because I felt he was coming in with the economic idea of Lagos, and should be able to help the economy of Nigeria. But, he has not been able to do so in any way. We can see how unstable the naira has been. We have also seen some wrong decisions taken, such as naira devaluation and subsidy removal.”

Adam Idah scored a 90th-minute winner as Celtic beat Glasgow rivals Rangers 1-0 on Saturday to lift the Scottish Cup and complete a league and cup double.

A scrappy game was decided by an error as Jack Butland fumbled Paulo Bernardo’s effort and Idah pounced for his ninth goal of a loan spell from Norwich.

“I said I’d come here to try and score as many goals as I could, I didn’t think I’d score a goal like this in front of all these fans. It’s an amazing feeling,” said Idah, who only made the move to Glasgow in January.

People Talk: On sale of new Naira notes at Nigerian parties0:00 / 1:00
“It’s hard to put into words. Anyone here can see what it means to the fans, to the players. I’ve always supported Celtic, it’s amazing!”

Rangers thought they had taken the lead earlier in the second half when Abdallah Sima turned home a corner at the far post.

But after a VAR review, Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart was handed a reprieve in the final match of his career as the former England international had been pushed by Nico Raskin.

Celtic were far from their best but maintained their unbeaten record in five meetings against Rangers this season, which has also secured them direct qualification for next season’s Champions League by winning the Scottish Premiership.

Victory also continued Brendan Rodgers’ remarkable Scottish Cup record across two spells in charge of the Hoops.

Rodgers has never lost a Scottish Cup tie in 17 matches and takes his trophy haul as a Celtic boss to nine in three-and-a-half seasons.

Celtic’s win also has historical significance as they move level with Rangers’ total of 118 trophies.

The head-to-head between the clubs is also now level after 441 meetings with 169 wins each and 103 draws.

Erik ten Hag made a convincing case to be spared the sack as Manchester United upset Manchester City to take the FA Cup with a shock 2-1 victory in Saturday’s final.

Ten Hag was reportedly set to be dismissed regardless of the result at Wembley after a troubled campaign that even the United manager described as “terrible” this week.

But United’s hierarchy might be having second thoughts after Ten Hag’s tactical masterclass ruined City’s history bid.

City were hot favourites to win a second successive Premier League and FA Cup double.

Yet Ten Hag found a way to neutralise Pep Guardiola’s side as first half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo put United on course to win the FA Cup for the first time in eight years.

Jeremy Doku squeezed an 87th minute strike past Andre Onana’s weak attempted save but it was too late to rescue City.

Having ended a turbulent season on a high note, if Ten Hag’s two-year reign does end, his exit would provoke memories of fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal’s Old Trafford departure.

Van Gaal was fired just two days after United’s FA Cup final victory against Crystal Palace in 2016.

Ten Hag will hope a more apt comparison is Alex Ferguson’s 1990 FA Cup final win against Palace, which kick-started his remarkable run after calls for his sacking earlier that season.

Ferguson was in attendance as a match labelled Ten Hag’s funeral turned into a triumph for the much-maligned Dutchman.

United shareholder Jim Ratcliffe, who has control of football operations at Old Trafford, was also watching from the stands alongside co-owners Joel and Avie Glazer.

Linked with Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino and Gareth Southgate, among others, there is still plenty for Ratcliffe to ponder after United finished eighth in the Premier League this season — their lowest final position since 1990 — and crashed out of the Champions League in the group stage.

Ten Hag believes a lengthy injury list was the root of the problems and can point to the two trophies he has won in three cup final appearances with United as proof of what he can do when his team are at full strength.

Ten Hag ended United’s six-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup last year and has now avenged their 2-1 loss to City in the FA Cup final 12 months ago despite finishing 31 points behind the champions this term.

– Stay of execution –

United will also qualify for the Europa League, avoiding a first season without European action since 2014-15. 

They benefitted from an unusually tepid City performance as their double bid fell flat in their first domestic defeat since losing at Aston Villa in the league 171 days ago.

Last weekend, City became the first team to win the Premier League in four consecutive seasons.

But Guardiola’s men looked hungover after the celebrations that followed their sixth title in seven years.

City were furious when their strong penalty appeal was rejected inside the first minute after Lisandro Martinez’s shove sent Erling Haaland sprawling.

Content to sit deep with all 11 men behind the ball, United stifled City impressively and gleefully accepted their gift-wrapped opener in the 30th minute. 

Diogo Dalot’s punt forward should have been dealt with by Josko Gvardiol, but the left-back hesitated as he looked for an offside flag.

Gvardiol headed the ball over City keeper Stefan Ortega, who had rashly rushed off his line, leaving Garnacho with the simple task of tapping into the empty net as Ten Hag clenched his fist in celebration.

Garnacho, 19, was the first teenager to score in the FA Cup final since Cristiano Ronaldo for United against Millwall 20 years ago.

Just nine minutes later, the 19-year-old Mainoo punished more sloppy City defending.

Garnacho advanced unchecked down the right wing and found Fernandes, whose superb first-time pass reached the unmarked Mainoo for a clinical close-range finish. 

City pushed harder after the interval but although Doku’s shot slipped through Onana’s grasp to set up a tense finale, it wasn’t enough to deny United.

As the final seconds ticked away, Ten Hag stood in the sunshine nervously waiting to celebrate a dramatic win that could earn an unexpected stay of execution or serve as his final fling.

The Kano State Police Command has said that security agencies in the state will adhere strictly to the Federal High Court order that all parties in the Kano Emirate controversy maintain status quo.

Also, the Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, said the order by the Kano Governor, Abba Yusuf to arrest Aminu Ado Bayero was on social media and not formally transmitted.

Gumel addressed newsmen on behalf of other heads of security agencies.

Recall that on May 23, a Federal High Court in Kano ordered the state government not to enforce the Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024.

The law had ensured the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.

But Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano emirate, filed a suit.

Mohammed Liman, the judge, ruled that the defendants “suspend” and “not give effect to the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, 2024 as they affect all offices and institutions of the Emirate Council created pursuant to the provisions of the Kano State Emirate Council Law, 2019”.

The court also ordered that all processes be served on the inspector-general of police (IGP) in Abuja.

The court also ruled that “all parties” “maintain status quo until June 3, 2024″.

Ado Bayero

Reacting, the deposed 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, assured that justice would prevail. He urged residents to maintain law and order.

He spoke on Saturday at the mini-palace where he has been since returning to the state after dethronement.

His words: “I call on the people to remain law-abiding while awaiting the outcome of the legal process in this tussle.

“We call on the authority to do justice in this matter. Kano is a very influential state in Nigeria. Whatever affects Kano affects Nigeria.

“May peace reign in Kano. We pray for Allah to bless Kano with responsible and just leaders.

“Justice is the way to go on every issue. There will be justice. Nobody is above the law. We will accept whatever the law says.

“I appreciate all the people who have shown concern. As I said, justice will take its course. We will keep on praying for peace in Kano State. May Allah the Almighty protect us.”

Police’s position

Meanwhile, Gumel, the Police Commissioner, statted the position of security agents on the matter.

He addressed the press alongside a brigade commander of the Nigerian Army and officials of other security agencies.

His words: “The police command is expressly obeying the Court Order with SUIT No. FHC/KN/CS/182/2024 Dated 23rd May, 2024 issued by the federal high court sitting in Kano alongside all law enforcement agents in the state.

“Therefore, we are calling on members of the public to know that the police in the state is working together with the military and other security agencies to provide the adequate security to everyone, as we are committed to carrying out our statutory duties as provided by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Starting in June, Nigerians will have the convenience of passport home delivery, eliminating the need to visit the immigration office for collection.

This development was announced by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday when he inspected the electronic gates at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport’s new terminal in Abuja.

Tunji-Ojo said the delivery will not include every location to avoid overloading and damaging the system.

He said the Nigerian Immigration Service would start home delivery in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Abuja.

He stated that for Nigerians in the diaspora, the home delivery service would initially launch in the United States and the United Kingdom, with preliminary testing to ensure its effectiveness.

The minister explained that the delay in implementing home delivery was due to a lack of data centres.

He noted that the NIS had been relying on a private company’s data centre and emphasised the need for a permanent solution to this problem.

“We have completed the whole solution but when we came on board, we realised that the data centre was not really there. We were leveraging on a private company data centre and we appreciate them for that assistance. We think that it is better to create a permanent solution to problems rather than quick fixes.

“We could have done it in February but we had to build our data centre from scratch to be able to keep the integrity of our data and national security intact. This is more important. It is disgraceful that NIS is 61 years old and NIS is a custodian of biometric data of Nigeria and we believe that NIS should be in charge of the data of Nigeria.

“It is not acceptable that this data is domiciled in a third party and that is why we have been able to do this,” he said.

H added that the data centre has been constructed and the passport delivery issue has been resolved.

“It is about national security and I can assure you that It is comparable with anyone you can find anywhere in the world.

“We have built the data centre, sorted the passport delivery solution and done the final presentation in terms of technology deliverables and the tracking solution which will all be embedded in the application we have so we do not create multiple lines of failure,” the minister said.

Speaking further, the minister stated that the final presentation of the electronic visa has been completed.

He added that it will reduce the visa processing time from 72 hours to 48 hours.

“The passport automation process is almost complete,” he added.

This announcement comes nine months after the minister initially declared that home delivery of passports to Nigerians would commence by February 2024.

In October, Tunji-Ojo stated that starting in February 2024, Nigerians would be able to have their passports delivered to their homes, offices, or any other location of their choice.

…Suspension Illegal – Party Spokesman

It’s one crisis after another for the Labour Party (LP) as the Edo State chapter of the party has suspended the embattled National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, over alleged anti-party activities.

Abure who has been fighting to keep his position for several years now has been hit by yet another suspension in a letter of suspension dated May 14, 2024.

To see through his suspension, another letter of ratification dated May 15, 2024, was ratified at a meeting of the State Executive Committee (SEC) on Friday night in Benin.

The letter announced that Abure, who has defied all odds to stay on as chairman, has been suspended with immediate effect.

The letters indicated that Abure has been suspended from the party in Ward 3 in Arue-Uromi, in Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State for alleged “high-handedness and anti-party activities.”

The letters further read, “While the suspension is with immediate effect, you are advised to restrain from holding out or parading yourself a member of Labour party, Ward 3, Arue, Uromi in Ean North-East LGA, Edo State.”

While the letter of suspension was signed by the Ward Chairman, Thompson Ehiguese and Ward Secretary, Stanley Usiomoh, the letter of ratification of his suspension was forwarded to the State Executive Committee of the party through the State Chairman by the Local Government Chairman of the party in Esan North-East, Patrick Onogbeni and LGA Secretary, Ehikioya Eromosele.

“The LGA Executive met today, 15th of May, 2024 about 12 noon, to consider the matters presented on the suspension and accordingly found them weighty and the suspension ratified and upheld,” the letter read.

It noted that, “The state executive committee considered the letters, together with the issues contained therein, and ratified Abure’s suspension.

“With the ratification of his suspension, the basis of his chairmanship of the party at the national level has been vitiated, and by implication, he stands suspended as the party’s national chairman.”

But in a swift reaction, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh told newsmen that the suspense was illegal.

He stressed that, “The ward, LG or even the state have no power to suspend the National Chairman. An Edo High Court has also ruled on this matter. Also, an Appeal Court has ruled on this matter.

“This dimension is a continuation of the attack on the person of Abure as witnessed during the governorship primaries. It will also amount to nothing and we are not perturbed,” Ifoh stated.