Politics
Ganduje Gets February 13 Date For Hearing In Alleged Bribery Trial

A high court in Kano has fixed February 13, 2025, for the hearing of preliminary objections in the suit against the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje
In April, the Kano government filed an eight-count charge bordering on bribery, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds against Dr Ganduje; Hafsat, his wife; Umar Abdullahi Umar, his son; and five others.
Other defendants in the case are Abubakar Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.
The Tide source reports that M.N. Duru, counsel to Dr Ganduje, asked the court last Wednesday to strike out an earlier application seeking facilities and a witness statement dated October 21.
“My lord, we urge the court to strike out this application. We intend to proceed with a new application dated November 18 instead.
“This motion, having not been moved, cannot be dismissed. We agree that it is not ripe for hearing, and we are requesting another date to make some corrections to the affidavit’s date”, Mr Duru said.
Responding, Adeola Adedipe, the counsel to the Kano State government, said the first, second, and fourth defendants served them with a new application on December 10, which is not yet ripe for hearing.
Mr Adedipe requested the court not to strike out Dr Ganduje’s application for withdrawal but to dismiss it.
“We have filed our counter-affidavit dated November 15, 2024.
“We also filed two additional counter-affidavits and responses dated October 18 and October 21”, he said.
Mr Duru, who is the counsel to the third and seventh defendants, said he had filed a better affidavit and a motion on notice on October 18.
Mr Sunusi Musa, counsel to the fifth defendant, sought an adjournment to enable him to make some corrections in the processes.
Mr Abubakar Ahmed, counsel to the sixth defendant, told the court that he had filed a notice of preliminary objection dated September 9 and supported by a nine-paragraph affidavit.
“We filed a written address dated September 9, a counter affidavit dated October 24, and a further and better affidavit dated November 15, 2024,” Ahmed said.
Mr Faruk Asekome, counsel to the eight defendants, said he had filed a preliminary objection dated November 10.
Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, the trial judge, adjourned the matter until February 13, 2025, for the hearing of all preliminary objections.
Politics
Gov Alia Appoints TuFace As Adviser

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Politics
Oborevwori, Okowa Dump PDP For APC

Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Politics
Speakers Conference Tasks FG, Governors On Wanton Killings
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.
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