By Our Correspondent

Fresh controversy has erupted within the ranks of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following allegations that powerful forces within the party are allegedly working behind the scenes to prevent His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo, popularly known as (Ruwa Baba), from contesting the Kano North Senatorial primary against the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin.

A highly placed source at the APC National Headquarters, who spoke to our correspondent under strict condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue, disclosed that there are strong indications that His Excellency Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo may be disqualified during the party’s screening process ahead of the APC senatorial primaries scheduled for May 18, 2026.

According to the source, the alleged move is aimed at clearing the path for Senator Barau to secure the APC ticket without facing any serious opposition in Kano North Senatorial District.

“The pressure on the screening committee is enormous,” the source claimed. “There are influential figures pushing for ATM Gwarzo’s disqualification to guarantee Senator Barau an easy ride to the ticket.”

The source further alleged that even if Gwarzo survives the screening committee stage, there are fears within some party circles that his name could still be omitted from the final list of cleared aspirants before the primary election.

The development, according to insiders, has heightened political tension among APC stakeholders in Kano, with many closely monitoring the unfolding events ahead of the crucial primaries.

Meanwhile, reliable sources revealed that Kano State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, recently hosted a closed-door meeting involving key APC stakeholders in Kano, including former Governors Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje respectively.

During the meeting, His Excellency ATM Gwarzo point-blank accused Senator Barau Jibrin of orchestrating his disqualification from the screening process during the previous election held under the administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s tenure.

According to our reporter, if ATM Gwarzo’s candidacy is rejected this time around, it would mark the second time this is happening, with Senator Barau Jibrin being accused of playing a role in his disqualification during the APC primary election for the Kano North Senatorial seat.

Despite the mounting pressure, Gwarzo was said to have vowed not to withdraw from the contest, insisting that the APC should allow a free, fair, and transparent primary election in line with democratic principles and the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Efforts by our correspondent to obtain Senator Barau’s official reaction to the allegations proved unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to him were not responded to at the time of filing this report.

Similarly, repeated attempts to reach Isma’il Mudassir, Special Adviser on Media to Senator Barau I. Jibrin, also failed, as he did not respond to calls placed to his line.

The APC is expected to conduct its senatorial primary elections nationwide on May 18, 2026, a contest already generating intense political interest across several states, particularly in Kano North, where the looming face-off between Gwarzo and Senator Barau is attracting widespread attention.

The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly through the promotion of sports as a tool for unity, peace and national development.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Murtala Sule Garo, made this known while delivering remarks as the special Guest of Honour at the closing ceremony of the Northwest Veterans All-Stars Renewed Hope Novelty Football Match held at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kadar Mata, Kano on Saturday.

The event was organized to honour the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf commended the organizers, participating teams, supporters, and all stakeholders who made the event a huge success.

According to him, football has always remained a powerful platform for bringing people together regardless of tribal, religious, political or social difference, stressing that the spirit of teamwork and mutual respect displayed during the match reflected the values needed to strengthen society.

Governor Yusuf paid tribute to veterans and other distinguished personalities for their continued commitment to nation-building, both during and after active service, describing them as role models for younger generations.

He further explained that Renewed Hope initiative is aimed at building a stronger and more prosperous nation by encouraging youth engagement, healthy living, social interaction and peaceful coexistence.

Speaking at the event, Murtala Sule Garo said, “Events like this encourage youth engagement, healthy living, social interaction, and peaceful coexistence, which are essential ingredients for national development.

“To the players, you have all emerged winners today because you displayed courage, passion, and excellent sportsmanship. To the organizers, thank you for creating a platform that promotes unity and community development through sports.

“As we conclude this memorable event, let us continue to uphold the values of peace, tolerance, and unity. Let us use sports as a vehicle to inspire hope, empower our youths, and strengthen the bonds that unite us as one people.”

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has again adjourned indefinitely a suit filed by a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala Gombe, following a request by the plaintiff seeking the transfer of the case to another judge.

Justice Nwite adjourned the matter sine die after parties clashed over a letter written by the plaintiff to the chief judge of the Federal High Court seeking the reassignment of the suit.

At Friday’s proceedings, counsel for the plaintiff, Luka Haruna, informed the court that the apex court had on April 30 delivered judgment in the interlocutory appeal.

Haruna said the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal for lack of merit and also set aside the Court of Appeal’s order staying proceedings in the substantive suit.

The lawyer, however, disclosed that the plaintiff had, through a letter dated May 4, 2026, applied to the chief judge of the Federal High Court for the transfer of the case to another judge.

He said the letter had already been transmitted to the court registrar and urged Justice Nwite to await the administrative decision of the chief judge.

The request immediately drew strong opposition from the defence team, which accused the plaintiff of attempting to frustrate the accelerated hearing earlier ordered by the Court of Appeal and upheld by the Supreme Court.

Counsel for the first defendant, Realwan Okpanachi, who held brief for Shuaibu Aruwa, argued that the plaintiff had misrepresented the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment.

According to him, the apex court partially allowed the appeal and specifically upheld the appellate court’s order directing accelerated hearing of the case.

Okpanachi further faulted the plaintiff for allegedly ambushing the defendants with the transfer request.

He added that they consider it an attempt to frustrate the order of accelerated hearing granted by the Court of Appeal and upheld by the Supreme Court.

The senior lawyer maintained that litigants were not permitted to choose courts or judges to determine their cases.

He, however, urged the court to maintain the earlier order adjourning the matter sine die pending the filing of the certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgment.

Counsel for the second defendant, Sulaiman Usman, also condemned the plaintiff’s move, describing it as “forum shopping and judge shopping”.

Usman told the court that the Supreme Court had commended Justice Nwite “in glowing terms” over his handling of the proceedings.

Responding, Haruna faulted the defence for attacking a letter they had not seen, insisting that the plaintiff stood by its application.

Justice Nwite subsequently held that the court could not take any decision on the letter without hearing all parties.

“Taking a decision or any action in such a letter without hearing from the defendants will amount to a breach of their fundamental right in this suit,” the judge ruled.

He added that since the letter was addressed to the chief judge, the trial court could not make any pronouncement on it.

“This matter is best adjourned sine die to afford the parties the opportunity to properly file a Certified True Copy of the judgment of the Supreme Court in the interlocutory appeal in the suit, to serve the defendants with the letter addressed to the Honourable Chief Judge, and finally to await further or any directive from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court,” Justice Nwite said.

The matter was thereafter adjourned indefinitely.