The Kano State Forum, comprising members of the State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2024, has expressed strong support for the appointment of former Speaker Yusuf Abdullahi Ata as a ministerial nominee by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Forum believes Ata’s nomination reflects the government’s commitment to grassroots representation and the upliftment of the less privileged. Speaking on behalf of the group, Pharm Dahiru Magaji Zarewa praised the President for his timely choice, emphasizing that Ata’s appointment brings long-overdue representation for grassroots politicians.

According to Zarewa, “Ata’s selection is a strategic move to realign political representation, ensuring balanced voices from all regions within the state. Ata has remained a dedicated grassroots politician, always within his community—even during his tenure as Speaker, he lived in Fagge among his constituents rather than the legislative quarters.”

On behalf of the forum, Zarewa thanked President Tinubu, the National Party Chairman, the Deputy Senate President, and the State Party Chairman for this nomination. He added that Ata’s deep-rooted experience in grassroots politics is bound to yield positive results for the administration.

Born on June 22, 1962, in Fagge Quarters of Kano City, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata attended Fagge Primary School from 1968 to 1975 and went on to Aminu Kano Community Commercial College from 1975 to 1980. He graduated with a BSc in Economics from Bayero University, Kano, in 1984, completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Sokoto State in 1985, and earned a Master’s in Development Studies from Bayero University in 2001.

Ata began his career in civil service as a classroom teacher in 1992 and later joined the Ministry of Education as a Business Education Inspector in 1994. By 1997, he was serving as Principal Planning Officer at the Kano State Housing Corporation. Following his retirement, Ata entered politics, where he was elected as a member of the Kano State House of Assembly representing Fagge Constituency. Over the years, he chaired several key House Committees, including Appropriations and Finance, served as Majority Leader, and was eventually appointed Speaker of the House in 2015.

Zarewa concluded, “With his extensive background and deep connection to the masses, as well as to religious and traditional leaders, Ata is well-positioned to strengthen the government’s achievements and deliver meaningful results.”

50,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano have petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, opposing the nomination of Yusuf Abdullahi Ata as a ministerial candidate.

The group revealed to newsmen that they have compiled signatures from members across Kano, which will be submitted to the President and the Senate on Monday.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Barrister Abubakar stated that they would be taking their grievances directly to the National Assembly and the APC headquarters to formally submit the petition.

“We are mobilizing 50,000 APC members from Kano who have signed this petition against Ata’s nomination as a minister,” he said.

The group’s chairman argued that Ata lacks the qualifications to represent Kano State in the Federal Executive Council, pointing to what he described as “anti-party activities” during the 2023 elections and alleged incompetence.

“It would be recalled that Ata was impeached as the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly over incompetence,” he said. “During the presidential election, he failed to deliver his polling unit to the APC, and his relationships with APC stakeholders in the state, as well as his constituents, have been strained—there was even an attempt to recall him from the State Assembly.”

The chairman further noted, “It took the intervention of then-Governor Ganduje and Alhaji Aminu Dantata to halt the recall process.”

He concluded, “The President could consider replacing Abdullahi Gwarzo with a more politically influential figure who has served the party, such as Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, Bashir Garba Lado, or the State Party Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas. Ata does not adequately represent our party or the good people of Kano State.”

The Kano state government’s sudden withdrawal of accreditation for 14 journalists covering the Government House has raised questions about its commitment to media freedom and sparked speculation about the reasons behind this decision.

Investigation by the Nigerian Tracker revealed that the relationship between the Government House press crew and state officials has been strained since the coming of Abba Kabir Yusuf as the governor of Kano state, with challenges ranging from poor working conditions, lack of welfare, motivation and ongoing tensions with security personnel.

Journalists reported several incidents where government officials, including the governor’s aides and security team, limited their access to governor’s activities.

Two incidents that occurred recently are seen as the reason behind the journalists withdrawal.

First incident was during the governor’s recent visit to Jigawa State.

Journalists accompanying him were denied entry to the venue where governor Yusuf was meeting with the Jigawa governor, with security citing limited space as the reason.

Although they were assured they would be allowed in to cover his speech, the meeting concluded without them covering the event.

The journalists voiced out their worry immediately.

When they returned to Kano, they sought to address the issue with the governor. As he briefly gave them audience, but no solution was provided immediately.

Nigerian Tracker gathered that another incident involving the journalists reportedly took place during an official visit by the Bauchi State Governor to Kano. Aliyu Yusuf, the Director of Public Enlightenment at the Government House led the journalists to meet the Bauchi state governor at his lodge in Kano.

Upon arrival, they learned that Kano state deputy governor Aminu Abdussalam, was there with his team. Deputy Governor’s Press Crew expressed displeasure with the presence of the media team covering the governor’s office. Knowing that the governor himself was not there.

Tensions escalated when the Deputy Governor’s Aide called the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Shehu Wada Sagagi and informed him.

The Chief of Staff sent a Governor’s Aide who had reportedly clashed with the press on multiple occasions to the scene, and he reported back to the Chief of Staff, to the hearing of the Governor eventually.

The internal political power dynamics may have influenced the decision to revoke the journalists’ accreditation.

The struggle reportedly involves the Chief of Staff to the Governor, the Commissioner for Information Baba Halilu Dantiye, and the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

The DG Media, close to Governor Yusuf, has held significant sway over government publicity, often sidelining the Commissioner for Information.

The Chief of Staff, meanwhile, has been a vocal critic of the DG’s handling of the press and accused the Government House journalists of lacking competence.

Some insiders believe the decision to remove these journalists may be an attempt to diminish the DG Media’s influence by targeting his loyal media representatives.

Observers note that the move could signal an ongoing effort to reassign responsibilities within the governor’s communication team.

As journalists now face an uncertain future in covering Government House, questions asked are about the impact of these developments on transparency and media relations within Kano state’s political landscape.