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Ahead of the much-anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President and presidential candidate of the party in 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has returned to Nigeria.
Atiku, who had been out of the country for weeks, returned in the early hours of Tuesday, a source told LEADERSHIP.
The Ambassador Illiya Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP was pressured into fixing the NEC meeting for April 18, having refused to hold the meeting for over one year. The NEC, the second most influential decision-making organ of the party after the national convention, is expected to meet every quarter as stipulated by the party’s constitution.
The anticipated NEC meeting, according to party sources, is shaping up to be a make or mar one for the party.
Atiku, who is regarded as de facto leader of the party, being the presidential candidate in the last elections, is expected to spearhead other meetings ahead of the NEC meeting.
This comes as agitations have mounted over the poor management of the party against the backdrop of allegations that the party was being controlled by external forces as alleged by former Benue State governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam.
Also, the North Central zone has called for Damagum to relinquish the acting national chairmanship seat and allow the emergence of a substantive national chairman from the region where the party originally zoned the position to in 2021.
Recall that former Senate President, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, from Benue State (North Central) emerged national chairman at the party’s last convention.
But Damagum, deputy national chairman (North), who hails from Yobe State (North East), was made acting national chairman in 2023 after a court order removed Ayu from office.
Although the agenda of the NEC would be defined by the NWC, sources told LEADERSHIP that the NEC meeting might also decide on what actions to take on “party leaders who have continued to undermine the party.”
Recall that some governors and party chieftains openly worked against Atiku as PDP presidential candidate in 2023 and also recently reiterated their resolve to support President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
[Leadership]
Why Is Bayo Onanuga, Reno Omokri, Daniel Bwala Only Attacking Peter Obi? Was He The Only One Who Challenged Tinubu In The 2023 Elections - Solomon Dalung Asks
AFOLABIFormer Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, has taken to his 'X' page to query Bayo Onanuga, Reno Omokri, Daniel Bwala and Bashir Ahmad for always launching attacks against the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi.
In a post, Dalung asked if Peter Obi was only one who challenged Tinubu in the 2023 elections.
He queried if there was something that they were trying to cover up with the frequent attacks.
He wrote;
‘’I have been praying to God to reveal to me why @aonanuga1956, @renoomokri, @BwalaDaniel, @BashirAhmaad only chose to attack @PeterObi, was he the only person who challenged @officialABAT in the 2023 elections? Or is there something they are trying to cover up? Something is amiss''
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has set a new 2024 base gas price for companies in the power sector and commercial users.
This is contained in a statement signed by Farouk Ahmed, the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
According to the statement, companies in the power sector will pay $2.42 MMBTU for wholesale gas purchases while commercial users will buy natural gas at $2.92 MMBTU.
Furthermore, the NMDPRA referenced provisions of the new Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as the legal backing for its latest decision.
It stated,
- “The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 assented to by the President on the 16th of August 2021 and gazetted on the 27th of August 2021 provides a clear regulatory framework for the determination of a Market-based pricing regime for the domestic gas market in Nigeria.
- “in line with Section 167, the Third and Fourth Schedule of the PIA 2021, the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) is mandated to determine the Domestic Base Price (DBP) and the marketable wholesale price of natural gas supplied to the strategic sectors”
- “Accordingly, after due consultation with key stakeholders and taking into cognisance the provisions of the PIA, as well as the gazetted Gas Pricing and Domestic Demand Regulations, the NMDPRA hereby establishes the Year 2024 Domestic Base Price as USD 2.42 / MMBTU”
Additionally, the NMDPRA set the floor prices for gas-based industries such as producers of ammonia, methanol, low sulphur diesel at $0.90 MMBTU while the ceiling prices is $2.42 MMBTU.
What you should know
- The increase in the base price of domestic gas purchase could likely led to an electricity tariff hike since about 70% of Nigeria’s electricity is generated from natural gas.
- In 2024, the federal government through the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) plans to pay N1.67 trillion to subsidise electricity– a 170% increase compared to the figure paid last year.
[Nairametrics]
Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has revealed what transpired between him and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SNECOU Group Limited, Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu, who decried the demolition of his investment on 214 hectares of land in the Asokoro district of FCT.
Ukachukwu accused Wike of ordering the demolition without any court order despite pending valid two court orders from separate courts restraining him and the FCT administration from tampering with the property.
Speaking in a recent interview with Channels, the Anambra-born businessman called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and save the multi-million-naira invested in the property.
Ukachukwu claimed that the property was demolished because it was owned by an Igbo man, and not because the company violated any law.
Claiming that the demolition was done in bad fate, Ukachukwu said: “Wike called for a meeting over the land, we went with our documents after seeing what we had with our lawyer and other company, Sunrise which they gave part of that land. Wike said that there is nothing on this that the court should take its effect.”
Reacting to the allegation in a press briefing, Wike said the land allocated to Ukachukwu did not have the approval of any minister as his predecessor.
The FCT minister said the land-grabbing in Abuja is becoming rampant because some officials in the land department of his ministry have compromised.
Wike said, “I have been doing this before. I will continue to do it. And nothing will happen. Criminals are criminals. They may come in different ways.
“I have never seen people like land-grabbing people in this place. I came in, (I met) so many petitions. One company came with different petitions, with different owners of properties. I summoned all of them. They came with their lawyers, senior advocates.
“And I said look what is this? Companies presented their own cases. Company A presented their own case, company B presented their own, company C, company D, Company E, I said okay, I’m going to seek advice from external solicitors. I’m not going to take from insiders … because the biggest (fraud) is that the Land Department has been compromised. I sought the views of senior lawyers and told them, we need to do things differently…
“This land, by this so-called ethnic jingoist, talked about, was allocated when there was no minister. The minister left on May 29, 2023. By June the land was allocated by the director of lands.
“If I tell you so many things. We all met. Company D this, don’t do anything again until we are able to take a final decision. You know what happened, these guys thought they were too smart and went on.”
The minister said there was a time when he wanted to commission a Water Park, and he was informed he could not, saying, “The Pacco and its allies have gone to court stopping me from commissioning the water park.”
“You see these guys (some officials in FCTA) are colliding with the plaintiff against the FCTA. I’ve never seen people who are so fraudulent like this! What they do here. They sued you, they sued me as FCT minister. They have court judgments in their pocket. I told him you are wasting time. His brother sent me a text message. I have never met his brother but he sent me a message saying, “You told your Ikwerre brothers you will deal with Igbos in FCT’, Imagine such.
“Why do we behave like this in this country? We keep doing the same thing and expect different result. If you transfer a director, he would say, ‘Oh! It’s because I am Hausa! If you transfer another one, he would say, ‘It’s because I am a Muslim’, but why?” he added.
[DailyTrust]
Here are things to know about Senegal’s Youngest President
1. Faye was born on March 25, 1980, in Ndiaganiao, in the western department of M’Bour, Senegal.
2. He went to primary school in his village and undertook middle and high school in Mbour.
3. In 2000, Faye earned his baccalaureate (A university bachelor’s degree.)
4. He attained a Master’s degree in law in Dakar Cheikh Anta Diop University and subsequently cleared both competitive exams, enrolling at the National School of Administration of Senegal (ENA) and the magistracy in 2004.
5. He is 44 years old.
6. He is Senegal’s youngest President.
7. He took over from immediate past president Macky Sall.
8. He was the General Secretary of the banned party PASTEF.
9. He won the 2024 Senegalese presidential election in place of disqualified candidate Ousmane Sonko.
10. On 14 April 2023, Faye was apprehended as he exited his tax and property office on Rue de Thiong in Dakar.
11. Faye was among a group of political opponents freed from prison 10 days before the March 24 presidential ballot under an amnesty announced by Sall.
12. Faye’s campaign was launched while he was still in detention.
13. He was a former tax inspector
14. He is Senegalese fifth president since independence from France in 1960.
15. He is the first president to openly admit to a polygamous marriage.
16. In the election, Faye received over 54% of the vote, making him the first opposition candidate to have won an election in the first round since Senegal’s independence in 1960.
17. In his inaugural address, Faye pledged to fight corruption and reform the economy.
[TheNation]
A Deputy Commissioner of Police serving with the Force Criminal and Investigation Department, Alagbon, Lagos State, Gbolahan Oyedemi, on Monday, reportedly committed suicide in his private house in his hometown, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
The PUNCH reports that Oyedemi was the Aide de Camp to the late former Governor of the state, Adebayo Alao-Akala, during his 11-month tenure as defacto governor in 2006.
A source close to the family told our correspondent on the telephone on Tuesday in Ibadan, the state capital, that Oyedemi, who normally visited his hometown during the Easter celebrations, told his aides at the weekend to go to their various towns to celebrate with their family members.
The source said, “Yes, he committed suicide. His body was found hanging in his house yesterday (Monday). He stays alone, and he normally comes home for Easter celebrations.
“This time, he told his aides to go and celebrate with their family members in their various homes. Only God knows what could have prompted him to commit suicide.”
All efforts to get the reaction of the state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, were unsuccessful, as his mobile number was unreachable.
Details later…
[Punch]
Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state, says N10 trillion is spent by the federal government on ‘unproductive’ debts.
Obi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, expressed his concern in a post on his X page on Tuesday.
“Last year, 2023, our total debt servicing for domestic debts stood at N4.4 trillion and that of external debt servicing was $3.5 billion, which is about N4.9 trillion. In effect, approximately N10 trillion is now spent on servicing unproductive debts,” he said.
According to Obi, the implication is what the country borrowed in a quarter is “about N10 trillion and what we spend on debt service, is also about N10 trillion”.
He said each of the figures is more than the combined budgetary allocation for the “four highest priority areas”, including defence (N3.25 trillion), education (N2.18 trillion), health (N1.33 trillion), and infrastructure (N1.32 trillion).
The Debt Management Office (DMO), on March 22, said Nigeria’s total public debt rose to N97.34 trillion, by N9 trillion, in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2023.
According to DMO, the increase was primarily due to new domestic borrowing by the federal government to partly fund the deficit in the 2024 budget as well as disbursements by multilateral and bilateral lenders.
Speaking further, Obi said the country’s borrowings bother him, considering the rapidly increasing rate over the years, and its attendant effects on the economy.
“More worrisome is the fact that there has been no corresponding visible usage or investments as required by the law, to show their impact on the nation’s development,” he said.
“At the end of the second quarter, Q2, of 2023, our debt stood at N87.9 trillion, which was very disturbing to us, because we were at a loss as to what we did with the huge debt, especially the over N23 trillion ways and means borrowed by the last administration, which for me, would have been the end of borrowing without any visible and corresponding investment and benefit to the nation.
“But sadly and more worrisome is the fact that between the end of the third quarter, Q3, and the end of the fourth quarter, Q4, of 2023, about N10 trillion was added to our debt portfolio , which has now taken our debts to N97.3 trillion, again, without any corresponding visible and verifiable utilization.This is the highest ever borrowed in one quarter.”
He asked the the federal government to de-accelerate borrowings and re-evaluate what has been achieved with previous funding.
Obi said the evaluation would help the government make better decisions for the good of the nation.
[TheCable]
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disclosed that it has uncovered over 1,665 fake A’level results during the 2023 Direct Entry (DE) registration exercise.
The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, disclosed the alarming figure when he received the leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Colleges of Education Students (NANCES) in his office in Bwari, Abuja.
He said the A’level results verification regime was occasioned by the endemic corruption associated with the admission system and was intended to restore the integrity of the admission process.
Prof. Oloyede also revealed that out of the figure, 397 were from Colleges of Education, 453 were University diplomas, and the rest were other A’level certificates.
He pointed out that it should be of grave concern if no one respects the certificate one is holding, hence, there was the need to safeguard the integrity of A’level certificates that are used to secure admission through measures that would stand the test of time.
In its weekly bulletin released on Tuesday, the registrar recalled that in the past, when a candidate applied for DE, the Board would simply ask awarding institutions to do the necessary screening and due diligence.
He stated that JAMB was dumbfounded by the startling revelations from Bayero University, Kano (BUK), whereby out of the 148 Direct Entry applications to the institution, only six of the certificates forwarded for processing were genuine.
The Registrar added that it was the discovery of the monumental fraud that prompted the meeting of critical stakeholders, who met to chart ways of combating the menace.
Part of the measures suggested, he said, was the constitution of an A’level result verification task force as well as the creation of a common platform for the verification of A’level results and certificates. He said the platform is reliable and user-friendly, as it only takes five minutes to verify any certificate.
Oloyede further disclosed that, to underscore the importance attached to the exercise, the Board has put in place a “no verification, no admission” policy.
While listing 15 institutions that have not sufficiently complied with verification requests from the Board, he stated that the affected institutions, with more than 20 unverified candidates, would have to pre-verify candidates applying for admission with their certificates before the candidates can complete their DE registration process.
Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu stated this on Sunday while speaking with the press following a gathering with various All Progressives Congress, APC, members at the Oyo State party headquarters in Oke-Ado, Ibadan.
He assured that the government of President Bola Tinubu is ready and determined to change the face of things in the power sector and “to change the game in the power sector.”
“This is why we are addressing the root cause of the power sector problems.
“We are addressing all the problems associated with all the segments of the power sector value chain – from gas supply to generation, to transmission, to distribution and to the customers themselves. There are a lot of things that we are doing that Nigerians will soon start seeing.
“Yes, there are pockets of improvements here and there, but that is not where we are going. We are still going to Eldorado whereby every Nigerian will be able to enjoy adequate, stable, functional and reliable power supply.
“But let me tell you that it is a journey and not a destination. We will start seeing this improvement as we are seeing now to improve. This is because when you are repairing, you will still suffer some damages, you will still suffer some pains.
“When they were repairing the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway for 10 years, people were having traffic jam and getting held up in serious traffic until they finished the road.
“So, while we are repairing, people must help us to bear the little pains that will come with it. But at the end of the day, we will make gains. For you to make an omelet, you must break eggs. This is the period of breaking the eggs. Very soon, we will start eating our omelet.
“I am determined to solve the problems in the power sector and Nigerians will start singing our good songs very soon,” he said.
The naira, on Monday, appreciated to N1,250 per dollar at the parallel section of the foreign exchange (FX) market.
The FX rate is a 0.43 percent increase from the N1,280 recorded on March 29.
Currency traders in Lagos, also known as bureau de change (BDCs) operators, quoted the buying rate of the greenback at N1,230 and the selling price at N1,250 — leaving a profit margin of N20.
“The dollar keeps declining and it is affecting business but business is picking up gradually,” a currency trader named Aliyu said.
At the official section of the FX market, the local currency depreciated by 0.69 percent to N1,309.39/$ on March 28 — from N1,300.43/$ on March 27.
Meanwhile, Aminu Gwadabe, president, Association of Bureau de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), on March 31, said the recall of members into the FX market has led to stability in the exchange rate.
“The reconsideration of the BDCs into the mainstream foreign exchange market has not only cleared illegal economic behaviours of hoarding, rent-seeking, round tripping and FX holding position, and led to the emergence of exchange rate convergence,” Gwadabe said.
Gwadabe also said the increase in FX inflows through the CBN’s monetary tools boosts foreign reserves, granting the apex bank the power to defend the local currency.
More...
The federal government’s subsidy reforms, rather than the expansion of money supply, are a major driver behind the persistent core inflation in Nigeria.
This is according to a study by Eric Ismail Otoakhia of the Department of Economics, Faculty of Business School, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, which was published in the latest edition of Bullion, a publication of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Titled ‘Do Fuel Subsidy Shocks Prolong Price Instability in Nigeria?’, the study delves into the economic repercussions of Nigeria’s approach to handling fuel subsidies. The paper rigorously examines the ripple effects that follow the removal of fuel subsidies on the nation’s price levels from December 1996 to August 2023. By adopting a dynamic autoregressive model, the study aims to quantify the impacts of these changes on economic stability.
Subsidy reforms counterproductive to cost of living stability
The findings pointed to the counterproductive effects of subsidy reforms on the cost of living, highlighting the challenges faced by fiscal and monetary policy coordination in ensuring economic stability.
The study read:
- “The removal of such subsidies, when accompanied by income redistribution and increased government spending on public investments, inevitably leads to a persistent increase in the price level.
- “The findings of this paper have shown that government actions in handling fuel subsidies are counterproductive to fiscal and monetary policy coordination in ensuring a stable cost of living.”
The study, however, noted that fuel subsidies have been a double-edged sword, offering relief against the rising cost of living by stabilizing fuel prices, yet posing sustainability challenges amidst Nigeria’s significant infrastructure needs and escalating debt levels.
The money supply effect
Nigeria’s broad money supply (M3) surged to a new historic high of N95.56 trillion as of February 2024 despite the hawkish tightening stance of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). This figure represents a staggering 79.29% surge from the N53.3 trillion recorded in February 2023, showcasing a substantial year-on-year growth of N42.26 trillion.
The study, however, noted that increase in the money supply does not trigger significant and prolonged rises in inflation, suggesting that phasing out fuel subsidies introduces greater risks to economic balance.
The study added:
- “The results reveal a prolonged increase in inflation rates following a positive shock to the positive semivariance of fuel prices, indicating that fuel subsidy reforms disrupt price levels and impede fiscal-monetary policy coordination to achieve price stability.
- “In contrast, a positive shock to the money supply does not result in a significant and extended rise in inflation rates. This suggests that eliminating fuel subsidies poses a greater risk to price stability.”
The weakness in cash transfers
The World Bank recently said that cash transfers can help save Nigerians from intergenerational poverty traps as inflation and low economic growth adversely affect the poor. Also, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) emphasised the need for the Nigerian government to prioritise the full implementation of its cash transfer program to aid vulnerable households. This step is crucial before the government takes on the task of revaluating the costly fuel and electricity subsidies.
The paper, however, warns against depending solely on income transfers as a solution to the adverse effects of subsidy removal, given the government’s fiscal constraints. It recommends exploring alternative subsidy approaches, like agricultural subsidies, to promote food security and support the agricultural sector, offering a more viable and sustainable solution for economic stability.
The study noted:
- “If the current administration successfully eliminates fuel subsidies, relying solely on income transfers will not provide long-term stability in the cost of living.
- “These transfers are unsustainable given the current fiscal constraints of the government. Instead, an alternative subsidy approach, such as agricultural subsidies that encourage farmers and promote food security, may be more viable.”
The fuel tax option
The research proposes a novel approach to manage the economic implications of subsidy removal. Rather than erratic withdrawal of fuel subsidies, it suggests the implementation of a fuel tax targeting non-commercial vehicles. Such a measure would not only foster energy efficiency but also contribute to reducing CO2 emissions, aligning with global environmental objectives.
The study concludes that removing fuel subsidies leads to unmanageable increases in the inflation rate, with core inflation especially sensitive to such governmental energy reforms. The analysis criticizes the government’s recurrent attempts to remove subsidies as detrimental to the broader goal of macroeconomic stability.
Proposing a shift in subsidy strategy, the research advocates for funding subsidies through direct taxes on private, non-commercial vehicles. This strategy could expand the government’s tax revenue and correct the market failures associated with prolonged energy subsidies.
[Nairametrics]
2024: ‘Tale Of Certificate Scam Is No Longer New’ – Aiyedatiwa’s Campaign Group Clarifies Certificate Forgery
AdminThe Co-convener, Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers (LACO-FS) in Ondo State, Biyi Poroye, has said the allegation of certificate forgery against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is the work of detractors who are crying wolf over nothing.
Naija News reports that Poroye, who is also the Chairman of Emerging Political Platform (EPP), while speaking with journalists in Akure on Monday, said Aiyedatiwa was not jittery over the allegation of certificate forgery.
According to him, Aiyedatiwa has no certificate scandal and is well-qualified to contest and win the party’s primary and November elections.
He further declared that those uncomfortable with Aiyedatiwa’s academic qualifications should approach the court of law for redress rather than brandish fake police reports on his academic records.
He said, “For some time now, the media platforms have been abuzz with lurid stories, insinuating that Governor Aiyedatiwa does not have a secondary school certificate as claimed in his bio-data.
“Thankfully, facts don’t lie. Recall that the then Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, in his developmental stride in the education sector, relocated some dilapidated public schools to his newly built public schools.
“Therefore, Governor Aiyedatiwa who claims that he entered Ikosi High School in 1980 and passed out of the school in 1982 was right after all, because he was relocated to that school when he was in Form 3, and he passed on of it in 1982, at Form 5.
“This tale of certificate scam is no longer new and it beggars questions as to why it is going viral upon nothing. Definitely, detractors are crying wolf where there is none.
“This has in no doubt addressed the worry of all those who have been asking that how could Aiyedatiwa enter secondary school in 1980 and pass out in 1982.
“We indeed love this sort of inquest, and we want to task the good people of Ondo State and social critics to dig into the past/present of all the governorship aspirants and sponsors, across the party lines.
“For instance, how can aspirants who can not tell how they become millionaire overnight want to become the governor of Ondo State? Those who have handled the resources of the state with questionable issues. We need to ask questions.”
[NaijaNews]
Former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has said the federal government’s close alliance with the United States, the United Kingdom, and other super powers in the West is harmful to Nigeria.
The former minister said the partnership that Nigeria is enjoying with its former colonial masters, the UK, and their allies is indirectly hampering its relationship with Russia.
Fani-Kayode said this while speaking on the significance of the visit that he and his colleagues and some of his colleagues to the Russian ambassador in Nigeria during a recent interview with Arise TV.
“Nigerian government has been excessively close to the United States of America, and the United Kingdom, and that in itself, in my opinion, has its own baggage,” Fani-Kayode said.
He said the United States, during the administration of former President Barack Obama failed to sell weapons to Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists, and its allies followed suit, saying Russia would not have done that.
“During the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the US led by Barack Obama said categorically that they would not sell arms to us to fight Boko Haram. By that time Boko Haram was taking over probably half of the North East zone of Nigeria.
“They went on to say no country close to them like Israel should sell to us. And, we resorted to buying arms from the black market… Russia was not in the equation at all. We were not looking in their (Russia) direction because of the alliance (with the West). Our allies, our life-long partners, our former colonial masters completely betrayed us,” he said.
Last week, Fani-Kayode led a delegation of prominent Nigerian leaders, including the immediate-past Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami; Senator Mohammed Hassan; Senator Bashir Lado; Hon. Farouk Adamu Aliyu; Dr. Joseph Onoh, and others on a condolence visit to the Russian Embassy in Abuja.
The solidarity visit was to commiserate with President Vladimir Putin and the Russian people on the terrorist attack which took place in Moscow last week and which resulted in the cold-blooded murder of 140 innocent and defenceless Russian civilians.
Speaking about the visit during the interview, Fani-Kayode said, “We are constrained by our faith and humanity to express our concerns and condolences primarily for those who lost their loved ones. It is very important.”
[DailyTrust]
How El-Rufai lobbied to replace Shehu Sani with Gov Uba in 9th Senate – Suspended women leader
AdminA women leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Hajia Maryam Suleiman, has slammed Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, accusing him of disloyalty to his predecessor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
Suleiman, who is popularly called Mai Rusau, was until her suspension, the APC Women Leader in Badarawa/Mailali Ward.
In a video which has gone viral, Suleiman recalled how El-Rufai, in 2019, travelled almost 500 times to lobby party chieftains at the APC headquarters in Abuja to ensure that Sani became the representative of Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 9th National Assembly.
Speaking in Hausa, Suleiman said El-Rufai fought hard and took risks to remove former Senator Shehu Sani in order to make way for Uba Sani, who was considered loyal at the time.
The outburst earned Suleiman a suspension from the party, according to a letter dated 31 March 2024, which was obtained by DAILY POST on Monday.
The letter, signed by the Ward Chairman, Ali Maishago and Secretary, Saka Bassahuwa, accused Suleiman of gross misconduct for criticizing Governor Uba Sani.
Parts of the letter read: “The Badarawa/Mailali Ward APC Executive Committee after due deliberations and careful examination on the viral video clip released on 30th March, 2024 via Social Media network: Facebook, Watshapp, and Tiktok which is against the constitution of our dear party, APC as stated in Article 21.2(v).
“Subsequently, the party relied on defamation of character of his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Uba Sani.
“Unauthorised Publicity of the party dispute that discredited the personality of the Executive Governor of Kaduna State.
“From today, Sunday 31st March, the leadership of APC in Badarawa/Malali Ward unanimously resolved to suspend Hajiya Maryam Suleiman from the party pending further investigation on the matter from the constituted authority.”
Meanwhile, speaking with DAILY POST on Monday, Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District, recalled how he was blocked by the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, when he attempted to return to the 9th Senate.
According to him, El-Rufai blocked his return to the Senate because he stopped him from accessing a $350 million World Bank loan when he was chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.
Shehu Sani insisted that he took the action in the interest of the people of Kaduna State, as the debt hanging on the state was more than revenue accruing to the state at the time.
He said: “As Senate Committee Chairman on Local and Foreign Debts in the 8th Senate, I did block El-Rufai from accessing the sum of $350 million loan after I have analysed critically the huge debt that was hanging on the state at the time.
“I did that out of genuine interest for the state and not out of malice, but it became an offence El-Rufai used against me.”
[DailyPost]