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Don’t Trigger War On Niger Republic-Experts

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2 years ago

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The Discussants

 

By Umar Hamisu Kofar Na’isa

It very dangerous to trigger war on Niger Republic because it will result in serious political and socio-economic consequences said Senator Shehu Sani.

 

Speaking as a discussant at a Roundtable Discussion on Niger Coup and ECOWAS Intervention: Perspective on Multi-sectoral implications for Nigeria organized by Mambayya House, Aminu Kano Center for Democratic Studies, Bayero University, Kano on Wednesday, 16 August, 2023. Shehu Sani opposed the use of Nigeria’s military to invade Niger Republic with the objective of regime change.

He added that, currently there are over half million of Nigeria’s nationales who have been displaced by Boko Haram, ISWAP and bandits in Northern Nigeria who are hosted in Niger Republic, therefore, Nigeria should not take the risk of triggering war on Niger Republic.

Senator Shehu Sani lamented that, the states that are bordering Niger Republic will come under heat in the event of war. He said the forum wishes brings into notice of both ECOWAS and AU that whenever democracy come under attack either through rigged election or violation of fundamental human rights or breach of the constitution, the duo remains silent. He also reiterated that, coup can only be prevented by making sure that our democracy is a game that is played according to law.

The radical activist and politician added that, the forum is to emphasized on the consequences of war and to state clearly that they are not in support of military rule and to also call on the cirizenry to continue to apply pressure on the government because it is clear that the government is under pressure from France and United States to initiate war, therefore, the government must be mounted with pressure to avoid going to war.

Senator Sani also commended the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria over the rejection of President Tinubu’s proposal for military intervention in Niger Republic. He added that, “when you have a nation that is next to your border, any war will be catastrophic and disastrous to your own country, therefore if this war is triggered, you know when it start but you don’t know its end”.

He finally call for putting pressure on the junta to restore democracy not by switching off the light, but by other actions that will only affect the heads of the junta and support civil groups in Niger in order to restore democracy.

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In his presentation on economic implications of the proposed war, Dr. Abdusslam Muhammad Kani, an Economist with Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, Kano said Nigeria is a key player in ECOWAS because the regional bloc is around four hundred million people and Nigeria is over half of the population of ECOWAS, so the war can lead to devastation in our trade and commerce relationships.

Dr. Kani added that, Nigeria is going to loose investors confidence because ideally, no investor that will invest in an economy which is under military intervention whereby it will lead to reduction in revenue as it witnessed a heightened inflationary pressure due to closure of borders with Niger Republic and other ECOWAS member states.

According to him one of the key implication is that Nigeria’s military defence budjet will be high which will add burden to the country’s debt profile, inflationary pressure leading to too much unemployment, poverty and diversion of the country’s scarce resources that should have been channeled education and other strategic sectors of the economy.

The economists recommended that peaceful dialog should be sustained to ensure peaceful resolution and to restore constitutional order in Niger Republic. He opined that military intervention is a violation of cardinal principles why ECOWAS is established with is promotion of economic integration or cooperation among West Africa.

Also speaking, Amb. Ibrahim Wayya, The President, Kano Civil Society Forum, KCSF stated that the governing system we are practicing in Africa is not really fit to the continent and its not commiserate to our own need and local content. He added that, the democracy that we copied and pasted from England and US is not working.

He further said up till now there are issues of election rigging and stealing the legitimacy of the elected ones and lots af criminality is been committed on the electoral process meanwhile the electoral umpire could not conduct election that is credible and acceptable.

In his address, the Director of Mambayya House, Professor, Habu Muhammad said the rationale behind organizing the Roundtable Discussion was to sensitize Nigerians particularly the Nigerian government about the sectoral implications waging war on a next door neighbour country like Niger Republic.

Professor Habu said it is wrong for ECOWAS to come overnight as a result change over of government which for the attention and perception of all participants, it is something that has to do with internal affairs and the regional bloc should not delve into the affairs of Niger Republic or even undertake military operation in the county.

The political scientist reiterates the need for becoming more conscious and decisive in terms of managing the the crisis through diplomatic processes. He added that these diplomatic and political processes are more constructive, far-reaching and realistic to undertake rather than military action.

The round-table discussion got the participants that cut across the academia, Women groups, Civil
Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), professional groups,
Security agencies, Labour unions, public commentators, students and the media among others. Discussants and participants critically discussed the current developments in Niger Republic, its multi-sectoral implications for Nigeria and the unity of the ECOWAS. However at the end of the sessions, a communique is issued which stated clearly the resolution, and recommendations for Nigeria, ECOWAS and all other stakeholders at the international level.

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

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2 hours ago

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December 12, 2025

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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.

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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.

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

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3 hours ago

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December 12, 2025

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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.

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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.

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One Kano Agenda Announces Two-Day Economic and Political Conference

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9 hours ago

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December 12, 2025

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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

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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.

 

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