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Regional Balance: Northern group urges Tinubu to appoint Bala Wunti as NNPC Boss

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to appoint Bala Maijama’a Wunti as the substantive Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The call was made by representatives of the Northern Initiative Forum for Growth, during a press conference in Bauchi to address a pressing matter of regional balance and representation.

The group commended the President for making strategic appointments to address various regional challenges as well as efforts to promote inclusivity and regional balance.

In the briefing signed by Alkasim Abdulkadir, National Coordinator, Abdulazeez Yahaya Umar (Mandela) National Secretary and Mustapha Adamu, Director Planning, Research/Strategy, Northern Initiative for Growth states that, “the administration of President Ahmad Bola Tinubu has been doing well to promote balance in governance.”

“However, we strongly believe that the appointment of Alhaji Bala Maijama’a Wunti as the substantive Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is crucial at this juncture,” It stressed.

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According to the group, “As you may recall, previous administrations have made strategic appointments to address regional challenges. The appointment of Yusuf Burutai as Chief of Army Staff from the North-East zone helped to curtail the Boko Haram insurgency. Similarly, the appointment of Mamman as Minister of Power from the same zone facilitated the development of a gigantic power plant project.”

It added that, “Under the current administration, the appointment of Ministers from the North-West to address insecurity challenges has yielded positive results. We believe that appointing Wunti as GMD of NNPCL will be a strategic move to promote regional balance and development.”

The group posited, “Wunti’s appointment will not only be a testament to the administration’s commitment to inclusivity but also a demonstration of its resolve to address the developmental challenges facing the Northern region. His impressive track record in the oil and gas industry, spanning over three decades, makes him an ideal candidate for the position.”

“We urge the President to consider Wunti’s appointment as a matter of regional balance, development, and the growth of the Nigerian oil and Furthermore, Wunti’s appointment will be in line with the principles of federal character, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” It added.

“Section 14 (3) of the Constitution states that “the composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity and also to command national loyalty.”

“In view of the above, we urge you to use your good offices to support the appointment of Alhaji Bala Maijama’a Wunti as the substantive Group Managing Director of NNPCL. This appointment will not only be a testament to the administration’s commitment to regional balance but also a demonstration of its resolve to address the developmental challenges facing the Northern region.”

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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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