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Group Rejects Governor Inuwa Commissioners Nominees Lists Over Marginalisation of Christians
A Christian Group Known as Liberation for the Christian Faith (LCF) in Gombe state has rejected Governor Mohammadu Inuwa Yahaya lists of Commissioners Nominees over what it’s described as marginalisation of the Christians in Gombe state.
The leader of the group Pastor Waziri Salisu, a clergy with the United Methodist Church in Nigeria who made this available to newsmen in a press statement, noted that out of the seventeen names submitted by the Governor to the Gombe state House of Assembly for confirmation, only two persons are Christians and all the rest are Muslims.
He said in a state where Christians constitude almost fifty percent of the total population of the people in Gombe state, it is unjustifiable to have only two Christians commissioners out of seventeen commissioners nominees.
” It is very obvious that Christians in Gombe state have been marginalised under the leadership of Governor Mohammadu Inuwa Yahaya, and this marginalisation did not start today, since his first tenure as Governor of Gombe state he has been marginalising Christians in the state with his policies and utterances. For instance, in his first term in office, Justice Beatrice L. Iliya, being the most senior judge in the state Judiciary then was suppose to be the Chief Judge of the state but the Governor vehemently refused to confirm her because she is of the Christian Faith, also his utterances after the Billiri crisis undermined the safety of Christians in the state, when he said “How Many Christians will they kill if inter-religious crisis erupts in the state” today the Christians in Gombe state have no voice due to sharp marginalisation” He said.
Pastor Salisu, noted that the lists of commissioners nominees sent to the Gombe state House of Assembly for confirmation is loop sided as it does not represent inclusive governance.
The group called on the Gombe State House of Assembly to halt the confirmation process until the Governor review the lists to accommodate more Christians in the commissioners nominees lists.
“Since the creation of Gombe state on 1st October 1996, it has been Muslims who have governed the state and the Christians in the state have enjoyed fair representation in all sectors in the state, until the tenure of Governor Mohammadu Inuwa Yahaya where Christians have no voice in the state, with little or no representation, as we are experiencing in this recent nomination of Commissioners in the state.
“Just recently in neighbouring Taraba state, Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas nominated 21 commissioners and about ten of them are Muslims despite the dominance of Christians in Taraba state, why can’t Governor Mohammadu Inuwa Yahaya learn from his colleague In Taraba and other states? Nominating two Christians to be commissioners in a state where you have Christian constituting almost fifty percent of the total population in Gombe state is unjustifiable”.
He stressed that the group is mobilising its members across the state to demonstrate a peaceful protest to the Gombe state House of Assembly if the Governor doesn’t review the lists to accommodate more Christians Commissioners Nominees.
“Gombe state is not for the Muslims alone, it belongs to all the faiths as such we demand that Christians should be given equal rights to occupy juice positions in the state.
” We want to also make it very clear that we have seen the hand writings on the wall, on the efforts of the some forces within the state government circle, who are plotting to see that a Christian is not nominated as minister in President Tinubu cabinet, so we are using this platform to also request that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not entertain any request to denial any party member who have saved the party faithfully from becoming minister because he is from the Christian faith”. He added.
Pastor Waziri Salisu however called on the Christian Association of Nigeria Gombe state Chapter to act and protect the rights of Christians in the state by speaking out on their behalf.
A coalition of civil society organisations in Zamfara Central has publicly called on philanthropist Yazeed Danfulani to contest for the senatorial seat in the National Assembly in the 2027 elections, citing his extensive humanitarian contributions and commitment to community development.
In a statement released on Sunday, the group’s spokesperson, Nuraddeen Garba Gusau, emphasised that the growing support for Danfulani transcends mere political sentiment.
“This is about Yazeed Danfulani’s proven dedication to the welfare of our people, demonstrated consistently without ever holding elected office,” Gusau said.
Danfulani, a prominent figure in Zamfara Central, has earned widespread admiration for his charitable initiatives.
He has funded the education of numerous children, offering opportunities to those who previously faced bleak prospects.
” His generosity also extends to providing financial and material aid to the less fortunate, helping families meet their basic needs.”
He said “Beyond individual support, Danfulani has bolstered small-scale entrepreneurs by distributing cars, tricycles, and financial capital, enabling many to achieve self-reliance.
“His efforts have significantly improved livelihoods across the region. Additionally, as a key supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara, Danfulani has played a vital role in strengthening the party’s unity and presence in the state.
The coalition believes Danfulani’s track record as a private citizen is a testament to his potential as a legislator.
“His selfless contributions are merely a glimpse of what he could achieve with the authority to legislate and attract development at the national level,” Gusau added.
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Kaduna: Group calls EFCC, National Assembly, Kaduna state government’s intervention on alleged diversion of public funds
By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
The Executive Director of a non-governmental organization, Eagle Brain Youth Transformative and Development Initiative (EBYTDI), Mr Daniel Ejembi, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Assembly and Kaduna state government to intervene on alleged hijacking of a federal constituency project intended for public schools in Dokan Mai Jama’a, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A statement issued by the Executive Director described the alleged diversion of the public resources to a private entity is a grave injustice to the children of Dokan Mai Jama’a.
According to him, “This diversion of public resources to a private entity is a grave injustice to the children of Dokan Mai Jama’a. We demand swift intervention by the Kaduna State Government, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the National Assembly to recover misused funds and prioritize education for all.”
The statement stated that investigation reveals that a federal project sponsored by Yakubu Umar Barde, former member representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, was alleged to have been unlawfully diverted to Fatima Academy, a private school owned by Abdulhadi Abubakar.
Ejembi explained, “The project, initially earmarked for constructing a public school, was instead executed at Fatima Academy, which lacks registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).”
He added that the contractor, Amrah Farms Nigeria Limited (RC-1523474), with directors including Abdulyekin Bello Tahir and Bello Halimat Sadiq, executed the project in violation of its original mandate, lamenting that public schools in Dokan Mai Jama’a faced severe deficits, including dilapidated classrooms, lack of sanitation facilities, and inadequate learning resources, exacerbating educational inequalities.
The Executive Director called for immediate probe into the alleged diversion of funds by relevant anti-corruption agencies and also called for urgent construction and renovation of classrooms, toilets, and perimeter fencing in the public schools.
He also appealed for the provision of desks, learning materials, and safe water systems for students and advised for legal action against unregistered institutions like Fatima Academy and accountability for involved parties.
Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on Easter Monday morning.
Late Pope had been in and out of hospital in the last few weeks. He made a surprise appearance at the Easter Sunday service at Vatican on Sunday.
Details Later…