Connect with us

News

Breaking: Gombe Suspends Selection Of New Traditional Ruler Of Tangale

Published

5 years ago

on

 

 

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has suspended all proceedings leading to the selection of a new traditional ruler of Tangale Chiefdom until peace is fully restored to the troubled area which has seen days of violent protests.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya announced the decision in a statewide broadcast shortly after returning from Billiri where he went to ascertain the extent of damage caused by the violence.

The Governor, on behalf of the Gombe State Government extended his condolences and sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives or properties in the unfortunate incident.

He assured the people of the State that in line with his oath of office, he will do everything within his powers to protect the lives and property of the citizenry.

 

“We are a people known for our cherished peace and stability. Violence, sectarianism and extremism have no place in our culture and tradition, those conflict merchants who seek to profit from this violence by setting brothers upon brothers, families upon families, and communities upon communities, will soon be made to face the full wrath of the law”.

He recalled that following the demise of His Royal Highness, late Abdu Buba Maisheru II, and in line with established laws and traditions, his administration had set in motion the process for the selection of a new Mai.

The process, he said was transparent and devoid of any interference, leading to the forwarding of three (3) recommended candidates by the Tangale traditional Kingmakers, from among whom his administration will select the one to fill the vacant stool of Mai Tangle as the law provides.

“As Governor, I approached the Mai Tangale succession process with high sense of responsibility because, as part of Gombe State’s cultural tradition, any decision I take will have far reaching implication on not only the Tangale chiefdom but the entire Gombe State”.

This was why the Governor said, his administration would have to undertake widespread consultations, conduct background checks and engage in personal reflection in order to arrive at a decision that is in the best interest of the people and the state.

Advert

“Let it be clear that it is within my powers as governor to appoint any of the three recommended candidates to become the new Mai Tangle. Let it also be clear that no official pronouncement was made about any candidate before, during and after the eruption of violence in Billiri Local Government Area”.

He said the violence was orchestrated by some unpatriotic individuals who thought they could blackmail the government into announcing their preferred candidate.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya also made it clear that his administration will never cow into any blackmail, threat, intimidation or witch-hunt from any individual or group no matter how highly placed.

He said, “the people of Gombe State have a history of peaceful coexistence and interrelationship among our various tribes and religions”.

This relationship according to the Governor should not be allowed to suffer because of the selfish interest of some violent minority who seek to turn the succession process into a religious contest.

“The succession battle is a Tangale cum Gombe State affair and all the three recommended candidates are eminently qualified Tangale princes by virtue of their royal ancestry to the Mai Tangale stool”.

He said by history, and in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, religion is not a criteria in selecting the new Mai Tangale or any public officer for that matter.

The Governor said the eruption of violence in Billiri LGA has left his administration with no option than to declare a 24-hour curfew to further stem the spread of violence, loss of lives and destruction of property.

“To this end, Government is withholding any decision on the new Mai Tangale until normalcy returns to the affected communities”.

The Governor noted with dismay the dangerous campaign of incitement and polarization waged by some unscrupulous elements on social media, saying government will vigorously discharge its role of protecting innocent citizens and combating criminality and violence anywhere in Gombe State.

He called on traditional, religious and opinion leaders to prevail on their people on the need to remain calm, peaceful and law abiding.

He equally called on the media to refrain from promoting fake news and other divisive and inciteful narratives, adding that government in collaboration with relevant security agencies has put in place adequate measures to ensure the protection of lives and property of all the people living in Gombe State.

“Our cherished peace and stability in Gombe State is bigger than the selfish interest or ambition of any individual or group”

Governor Inuwa Yahaya used the opportunity to thank the good people of Gombe State and friends across the world for their continued support and prayers, especially in these trying times.

He said his administration will continue to pursue its genuine developmental agenda for the people across all areas of economic and social endeavors.

“We will neither be blackmailed nor distracted from our noble path of maintaining peace, promoting friendly coexistence and delivering democratic dividends to all our people”.

He said the task of providing peace and development in Gombe State is a collective responsibility that all men and women of goodwill should join hands to promote.

Related Topics:

News

Supreme Court Nullifies Tinubu’s Pardon, Restores Maryam Sanda’s Death Sentence

Published

22 minutes ago

on

December 12, 2025

By

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

Nigeria’s Supreme Court has set aside the presidential pardon granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Maryam Sanda, the Abuja woman convicted of killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute.

In 2020, the Federal Capital Territory High Court sentenced Sanda to death by hanging, a verdict later upheld by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

Advert

In contrast, President Tinubu had subsequently commuted the sentence to 12 years’ imprisonment on compassionate grounds.

However, in a narrow 4–1 judgment delivered on December 12, 2025, the Supreme Court restored the initial death sentence. The apex court dismissed Sanda’s final appeal, ruling that it lacked merit and failed to undermine the findings of the lower courts.

Reading the lead judgment, Justice Moore Adumein held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that Sanda unlawfully caused the death of her husband.

He described the presidential pardon as an inappropriate exercise of executive power, particularly because the clemency was issued while the appeal process in a homicide case was still ongoing.

Continue Reading

News

Alleged Fraud: Late President Buhari’s Minister of Labour, Ngige, Landed in Kuje Prison

Published

53 minutes ago

on

December 12, 2025

By

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

On Friday, an Abuja High Court remanded a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, in Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the determination of his bail application.

The Nigerian Tracker News had earlier reported his arrest by the EFCC on Wednesday.

The Crime’s Commission arraigned Ngige on Friday over alleged N2.2 billion fraud.

The one-time governor of Anambra State and former Minister of Labour and Employment, Ngige, is facing eight count charges of fraud and accepting bribes.

The defendant served as the governor of Anambra under platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from May 29, 2003, to March 17, 2006.

He served as minister under former and late President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration from 2015 to 2023.

He is being prosecuted for fraud, which he allegedly committed during his tenure as Minister of Labour and Employment.

The EFCC accused him of awarding seven contracts worth over N366 million “for consultancy, training and supply by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)” to a company, Cezimo Nigeria Limited, belonging to his associate, Ezebinwa Charles.

Advert

EFCC alleged that Ngige awarded eight contracts worth over N583 million to another company belonging to Mr Charles.

The EFCC also alleged that the defendant used his position to give preferential treatment, awarding eight contracts worth over N362 million to a company, Jeff & Xris Limited, belonging to Nwosu Chukwunwike.

Other companies he awarded contracts include Olde English Consolidated Limited and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, belonging to Uzoma Igbonwa to the sum of N668 million and N161million respectively.

According to the EFCC, these offences violate section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Also, the anti-graft agency accused Ngige of collecting gratifications from contractors of the NSITF through “his organization, called Senator (Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organization from Cezimo Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011901119).”

The EFCC further alleged that Ngige collected N38.6 million from Cezimo Nigeria Limited, N55 million from Zitacom Nigeria Limited and N26 million from Jeff & Xris Limited.

This according to EFCC contravened section 17(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and is punishable under section 17(c) of the same Act.

He however pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The EFCC’s counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN applied for a trial date and urged the court to remand Ngige at Kuje Custodial Centre.

However, counsel to Ngige, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, noted that they were only informed of the arraignment yesterday and could not file for his bail application.

Ikwueto urged the court to give Ngige a conditional bail on health grounds.

He also attempted to move for an oral bail application for the defendant on self-recognition.
Tahir noted that the court could not be presented with both a written and oral application.

He also noted that Ngige is yet to submit his international passport, which was part of his previous bail conditions.

Ikweto, however, noted that Ngige’s international passport was stolen, and the EFCC has been informed through a letter.

Tahir denied knowledge about the report.

Following their submissions, Justice, Maryam Hassan, ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Justice Hassan adjourned the case until Monday for hearing and determination of his bail application.

Continue Reading

News

One Kano Agenda Announces Two-Day Economic and Political Conference

Published

7 hours ago

on

December 12, 2025

By

 

The One Kano Agenda movement has announced plans to host a two-day economic and political conference in Kano State, reaffirming its commitment to unity, progress, and sustainable development.

In a statement signed by the Director of Media and Publicity, Abubakar Dangambo, the group emphasized that the initiative is designed to bring together stakeholders from across the state to deliberate on strategies that will reposition Kano as a hub of economic growth and political stability.

Commitment to Unity and Progress
According to the statement, One Kano Agenda is rooted in inclusiveness, civic consciousness, and forward-thinking leadership. The movement stressed that its guiding principle remains simple: “Kano’s future must be built by all of us, and benefitted by all of us.”

Day One: Economic Summit
The first day of the conference will feature the Kano Economic Summit, focusing on:
– Repositioning Kano as a regional economic powerhouse
– Strengthening local industries, SMEs, and the commerce sector
– Attracting investment and rebuilding economic confidence
– Learning from successful models such as Lagos State’s long-term development vision
– Mapping out an actionable roadmap for Kano’s economic revival

Advert

Organizers noted that the summit is expected to stimulate critical conversations and partnerships that will support job creation, entrepreneurship, infrastructure development, and broader wealth-creation opportunities for citizens.

Day Two: Political Dialogue
The second day will be dedicated to the Kano Political Dialogue, which will address:
– Strengthening political participation and leadership quality
– Promoting youth involvement and political re-orientation
– Reducing political manipulation and violence
– Encouraging issue-based politics grounded in development
– Building a united, peaceful, and politically stable Kano State

The dialogue aims to reshape mindsets, deepen democratic culture, and ensure that politics in Kano becomes a vehicle for progress rather than division.

Why the Conference Matters
The One Kano Agenda described the gathering as a “needed intervention at a decisive moment in the state’s history.” Kano, it said, stands at a crossroads, and the future desired by its people can only be achieved through deliberate planning, honest dialogue, and collaborative action.

“The conference will provide a platform for meaningful engagement, innovative ideas, and a united voice in charting Kano’s next chapter,” the statement read.

Call to Action
The movement called on professionals, youth, community leaders, religious institutions, business owners, and the general public to participate actively in the initiative.

“Together, we can redefine our future. Together, we are One Kano,” the statement concluded.

 

Continue Reading

Trending