Abbas Yushau Yusuf

Former Governor of Kano State and former APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, says the 1999 PDP primary election that produced the joint ticket of Kwankwaso and Ganduje was rigged in favour of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Dr. Ganduje stated this in a viral video circulated online while addressing some people.

Ganduje, who was former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s deputy between 1999 and 2003 and between 2011 and 2015, said, “I swear by Almighty Allah that Kwankwaso did not win that primary election. I was the one who won, and the person who rigged the result in Gabasawa Local Government is still alive. He is even closer to me despite rigging the primary election in favour of Kwankwaso.”

Ganduje added that the PDP representatives who were sent from the party’s national headquarters appeased him when he objected and insisted that the primary election should be cancelled.

Ganduje said they begged him not to disrupt the process in order not to repeat the scenario of the 1991 gubernatorial election between the Santsi and Tabo factions during the SDP and NRC days, where a relatively unknown NRC gubernatorial candidate, Architect Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, won against the popular SDP candidate, Engineer Magaji Abdullahi.

NIGERIAN TRACKER reports that Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje also served as Commissioner of Works and Housing during the military administrations of the late Colonel Muhammad Abdullahi Wase, the late Colonel Dominic Oneya, and the late Colonel Aminu Isa Kontagora before he resigned in late 1998 and contested the PDP primaries won by former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

NIGERIAN TRACKER reports that Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso parted ways in March 2016 during the first tenure of former Governor Ganduje, when former Governor Kwankwaso was accused of politicising the condolence visit following the death of Governor Ganduje’s mother, who passed away in March 2016 in Ganduje town, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area.

Since then, the political conflict between the two Kano political giants has continued to rage to this day, with both men bashing each other on any political podium where they find themselves.

Kano elders, during the lifetime of the late NRC presidential candidate, Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa, made efforts to reconcile them, but to no avail.

By Lamara Garba Azare

The League of Kano Veteran Journalists (LKVJ) has been established to promote professionalism, safeguard the integrity of journalism, enhance the welfare of veteran media practitioners and provide mentorship for the next generation of journalists.

Registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in June 2026, the League brings together seasoned journalists with between 25 and 30 years of professional experience who are committed to contributing their knowledge, experience and expertise to the advancement of journalism in Kano State and Nigeria.

As part of efforts to foster collaboration with key stakeholders in the media industry, the leadership of the League on Friday, 17th July, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council, to formally intimate the Union about its establishment and seek its partnership in advancing the ideals of the profession.

Speaking during the visit, the Interim Chairman of the League, Alhaji Aminu Mahmoud, said the organisation was founded by accomplished journalists determined to preserve the noble values of the profession while promoting the welfare, dignity and relevance of veteran journalists in society.

He disclosed that the League of Kano Veteran Journalists was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in June 2026, making it a legally recognised organisation with a clear constitutional framework and well defined objectives.

According to him, the League’s Board of Trustees is Co-chaired by former National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Malam Sani Zorro and one time Deputy National President of the NUJ, Malam Nasir Zahraddeen, while a former National Vice President of the NUJ, Zone A, Abdulkadir Ahmed Ibrahim Kwakwatawa, is the Board’s Secretary.

Mahmoud added that the Interim Management Committee would soon be inaugurated to oversee the affairs of the League. Besides himself as Interim Chairman, the interim leadership comprises Lamara Garba Azare as Vice Chairman I, Amina Mohammed Usman as Vice Chairperson II, Abdullahi Datti Abdullahi as Secretary, Nasir Yusuf Gwadabe as Communications Officer, while Adamu Abubakar Gammo, Abdullahi Yusuf Malam, Halima Ben Umar are other executives of the League.

He noted that similar associations already exist in several states, particularly in the South West, adding that Kano now joins Kwara and Plateau as one of the few northern states with such a body of veteran journalists.

Describing the NUJ as the League’s most important partner, Mahmoud said the founders maintained close consultations with the National Secretariat of the NUJ throughout the process leading to the establishment of the organisation.

He explained that the League has a well defined constitution and objectives centred on improving members’ welfare and healthcare, restoring the dignity and relevance of veteran journalists, promoting cooperation among members and creating opportunities to mentor and guide younger journalists.

The Interim Chairman further stated that the League would be studying emerging issues affecting journalism and make meaningful contributions to economic, political and social discourse as a body of experienced professionals. He added that the organisation also intends to intervene, whenever necessary, in disputes involving the media and government, the media and the public, as well as between the media and regulatory bodies.

Mahmoud appealed to the NUJ Kano State Council to work closely with the League in promoting ethical journalism, defending press freedom and collectively sanitising the journalism profession in Kano State.

Responding, the Chairman of the NUJ Kano State Council, Comrade Sulaiman Abdullahi Dederi, congratulated the veteran journalists on the successful establishment of the League and described the initiative as a welcome development for the journalism profession.

He said the wealth of experience and institutional memory possessed by veteran journalists would be invaluable in mentoring younger practitioners, promoting ethical standards and strengthening professionalism within the media industry.

The NUJ Chairman who was represented by Vice Chairman of the Council Comrade Mustapha Muhammad assured the League of the Council’s readiness to collaborate in pursuing shared objectives, particularly in the areas of capacity building, professional development, members’ welfare and the promotion of responsible journalism.

Dederi expressed confidence that the cordial relationship between the two organisations would contribute significantly to preserving the integrity of the profession and advancing the collective interests of journalists in Kano State.

The visit ended with both organisations reaffirming their commitment to fostering closer cooperation in promoting ethical journalism, protecting the image of the profession and ensuring that the experience and wisdom of veteran journalists continue to serve the public good.
The NUJ National Trustee Comrade Abbas Ibrahim and Salisu Ibrahim Fagge are among the founding members of the League.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Nigerian Army has immortalised its late former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, by naming a newly constructed complex at the Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management (NACOLM), Lagos, after him.

Speaking at the commissioning of the facility in Lagos on Friday, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity through modern infrastructure that promotes professional military education, efficient administration and improved personnel welfare in support of national security.

According to a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the complex, named in honour of the late Lieutenant General Lagbaja, is designed to enhance the College’s training, administrative and welfare functions by providing a conducive environment for developing highly skilled logistics professionals capable of supporting operational effectiveness across the Nigerian Army.

Shaibu described the late Army Chief as an outstanding military leader whose professionalism, integrity, selfless service and unwavering commitment to national service continue to inspire officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army.

He said naming the complex after the late General reflected the institution’s enduring appreciation of his immense contributions to force development, leadership and operational excellence.

The Army Chief also urged officers, instructors and students of the College to uphold the values exemplified by the late General Lagbaja by remaining disciplined, professional and committed to excellence in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He reiterated that sustained investment in training institutions, modern infrastructure and personnel welfare remains central to his command philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptive, combat-ready and resilient force capable of effectively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.

In a separate development, troops of the 65 Battalion apprehended 24 foreign nationals during a coordinated operation in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State as part of ongoing efforts to rid the 81 Division Area of Responsibility of criminal elements, illegal immigrants and other security threats.

According to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, the operation followed credible intelligence on the presence of undocumented foreign nationals within the Battalion’s area of responsibility.

Acting on the intelligence, troops, in collaboration with members of the Vigilante Group, raided a secluded fenced compound at Imokun in the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of Epe, where they apprehended 24 foreign nationals comprising 15 males and nine females.

Preliminary profiling showed that the suspects are nationals of several West and Central African countries, including Cameroon, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, the Republic of Benin, Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau.

Initial investigations were conducted to determine their immigration status, the purpose of their stay in Nigeria and any possible involvement in unlawful activities.

Efforts are also ongoing to identify and question the owner of the premises to establish the circumstances surrounding their residence and activities at the location.

The statement added that the suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, on 16 July 2026 for further investigation, profiling and appropriate administrative action in line with extant immigration laws and regulations.

Commending the troops for their professionalism and vigilance, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola, directed personnel to sustain ongoing operations and intensify efforts to deny criminal elements, illegal immigrants and other security threats any operating space within the Division’s area of responsibility.

He also reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to supporting relevant security agencies in maintaining peace, security and public safety across the area.