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Senator Kawu Sumaila Commends President Tinubu’s Decision on Local Government Autonomy

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Kawu Sumaila

Senator Sulaiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South Senatorial District, has praised President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his recent decision to grant autonomy to local governments. In a statement he signed, Senator Sumaila described the decision as timely, emphasizing the urgent need for policies that alleviate the suffering of the Nigerian masses.

According to Sumaila, President Tinubu’s commitment to local government autonomy aligns with the senators’ efforts to address the challenges faced by the grassroots. “I am happy that Mr. President has begun to follow our path to salvage our people by giving local governments the autonomy to operate as enshrined in the constitution. The decision to compel the 36 states of the federation to grant autonomy to local governments is a step in the right direction,” he said.

Sumaila highlighted the potential benefits of this autonomy, particularly for rural areas. “This will surely help in bringing development to our people, especially those at the grassroots in rural areas. It will equally boost the nation’s economy by increasing our Internally Generated Revenue through the agricultural value chain and other commercial activities that will emerge once local governments gain their autonomy,” he added.

However, Senator Sumaila also appealed to President Tinubu to address issues related to local government elections, which he identified as another significant challenge affecting grassroots progress under democratic governance. “I would be glad if President Tinubu will also address the challenges affecting the conduct of local government elections in the nation. The president should do something to stop politicians from manipulating the processes of local government elections for their personal interests,” he urged.

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Sumaila criticized the current state of local government elections, highlighting the undue influence of state governors. “We are all aware of how local government elections are being conducted under the watch of state governors in this country. From the primaries to the main elections, the processes are always being manipulated by politicians for their personal interest against the interests of the majority. That should not be so under democracy, and I am appealing to Mr. President to urgently address this problem. I am sure this will complement the autonomy of the local government, thereby extending the dividends of democracy to the grassroots,” he asserted.

Senator Sumaila emphasized the collaborative efforts of the legislative and executive branches of government in supporting local government autonomy. “We, at the National Assembly, have raised the matter and supported the autonomy for local governments, and the executive has also agreed with us. It is now over to the judiciary to appropriately exercise its constitutional rights in deciding the case before it on local government autonomy,” he said.

Sumaila thanked Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin for giving him the opportunity to present the matter before the Senate and expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their support. “I thank the Senate President, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, and Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin, for giving me the opportunity to table the matter before the Senate, and my colleagues for supporting me on this issue,” the statement concluded.

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Court Restrains Anti-Corruption Commission, Others from interfering in MAAUN’s Affairs

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A Kano High Court has granted an interim injunction restraining the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) and four other parties from interfering in the internal and external affairs of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (AAUN), Kano.

Justice Sanusi Ado Ma’aji of the High court of Kano Judicial Division issued the order, while ruling on a motion of ex parte filed by the management of the university.

The respondents in the suit are the Kano State Government, PCACC, Kano State House of Assembly and the state’s Attorney-General and concerned parents of the institution.

Justice Ma’aji in the court order dated December 11, 2025, restrained the respondents or any other person acting on their behalf from inviting officials of the institution or interfering in the administrative and academic activities of the intuition, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

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The court also directed all the parties to maintain status quo in relation to the matter between the applicant and the first respondent, pending the determination of the originating summons.

Speaking after the ruling, MAAUN’s counsel Zahraddeen M. Bello, said that the court’s decision reaffirmed the rule of law and the need for due process, saying the university will continue to operate within the confines of law, while the case is pending.

However, the court granted leave to the applicant to serve court processes on the fifth respondent at its office located at No. 224 Sabo Bakin Zuwo, Kano.

The matter was adjourned to December 29, 2025 and the order was given under the hand and seal of the presiding judge and was duly endorsed by the Principal Registrar of the court.

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Jigawa Trains Local Government Chairmen on 2025 Tax Reform Act

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The Jigawa Joint Task Committee has commenced a two-day capacity-building training for local government chairmen and policymakers. The two-day capacity program focused on the new Nigeria Tax Reform Act (NTA) 2025, which is scheduled to take effect nationwide on January 1, 2026.

The training gathered a contingent of state and local revenue stakeholders, including all 27 local government chairmen of Jigawa State, led by the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), revenue officers, and key policy and tax experts.

The core objective of the session was multifaceted: to enhance understanding of the NTA 2025 and its specific implications for local government administration, strengthen collaboration between state and local tiers for revenue harmonization and joint administration, and improve the technical capacity of local government leaders in deploying modern revenue processes and digital systems.

During the event, the Executive Chairman of the Jigawa Internal Revenue Service (JIRS), Dr. Nasir Sabo Idris, commended the state government’s leadership for its commitment to fiscal autonomy.

“I wish to acknowledge the immense support of His Excellency, Governor Malam Umar Namadi, FCA,” Dr. Idris said.

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According to Dr. Idris, Jigawa Governor’s commitment to revenue generation has been unwavering, ensuring a consistent improvement in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Dr. Idris pointed out that the upcoming launch of JigiTax, a wholly digital platform designed to streamline and modernize revenue collection across Jigawa State, is underway.

He said the move is seen as a direct response to strengthening transparency and blocking revenue leakages.

On his part, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Local Government, Ibrahim Graba Hannun-Giwa, whose address was delivered by the Director of Research, Malam Samaila Yusuf, said:

“The Ministry of Local Government is doing all it takes to continue supporting the visionary policies of Governor Namadi and driving policies that will shore up the revenue base of our local governments,” Malam Yusuf stated, emphasizing a unified approach to fiscal strength.

The dividends of the collaborative efforts were highlighted by the ALGON Chairman, who also serves as the Chairman of Dutse Local Government.

Speaking to newsmen, he asserted that the state’s disciplined approach had fundamentally altered the financial landscape at the grassroots level.

“With the commitment shown by Governor Namadi and the diligent efforts of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee, no local government in Jigawa now seeks intervention,” the ALGON Chairman declared.

He said, “Revenue loopholes are being systematically blocked, and improved compliance by different stakeholders, including markets and motor parks remitting their taxes, has significantly boosted our revenue drive.”

He further confirmed that the local governments had already undertaken a series of awareness trainings for all relevant stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition to the NTA 2025.

Barrister Aliyu Abdullahi said the in a paper presentation titled “State and Local Government in the Law,” by a legal practitioner. The paper specifically called for the legislative institutionalization of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee by the State House of Assembly. This institutional backing, the practitioner argued, would solidify the collaborative framework for revenue harmonization and ensure its longevity beyond the current administration.

 

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Former President Obasanjo Endorses Turaki’s Faction of PDP

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo hosted the national working committee (NWC) of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The PDP faction visited the former president on Saturday, and Kabiru Turaki led the delegation.

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Those among the delegation are: Muazu Aliyu, former Niger governor; Jonah Jang, former governor of Plateau; Adolphus Wabara, former senate president, and many more.

Interacting with the delegation, Obasanjo commended the faction’s effort, adding that its members should “soldier on”.

The former president also urged the faction to remain steadfast in instilling discipline in the party, adding that:

“anybody who wants to belong to a political party must adhere strictly to its rules and regulations”.

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