NEWS
Kano Emirates Saga: Sanusi Consolidates Power, Yusuf Runs To Ribadu
The royal rumble politics in the Kano Emirates has entered into a new battlefront, with Emir Mohammad Sanusi II consolidating power by making appointments, receiving pledges of loyalty from critical quarters, while the state government is lobbying at federal levels in his favour.
In different moves on Thursday, perceived as helping Emir Sanusi II strengthen his hold on power, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf ran to Abuja to meet with the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, while the 16th Emir announced the appointment of Hamisu Sani as the new Ward Head for Kofar Mazugal, Dala Local Government Area of Kano.
Biztellers reports that Gov Yusuf’s meeting with the NSA in the later’s office, lasted over an hour, which is believed to be aimed at intensifying lobbying in favour of Emir Sanusi II.
Recall that following speed-of-light legislative and executive actions, the Kano State House of Assembly repealed the law which created five Emirates in the state, and Gov Yusuf appointed the 16th Emir and deposed the 15th Emir, Ado Bayero.
The action witnessed resistance, though, as legal action led to interim injunction, which saw the deposed Emir return. As that was happending, Gov Yusuf personally took Emir Sanusi II to the palace, while the 15th Emir was returned to the second palace, Nasarawa under the guide of national security forces.
The flying of counter judicial pronouncements, had seen the Chief Justice of the Federation, Olukayode Ariwoola, summon a meeting of key judicial actors in Kano State.
It would appear that battle for the ancient throne of the Kano Emirate has entered new fields, as the Kano State government moved from threatening the NSA, who countered with legal action for which he was apologised to, to lobbying him.
As all that were being acted out, Emir Sanusi II is consolidating his hold on power and urged the new ward head, he appointed, to ensure peaceful coexistence among his subjects in the area and contribute his quota towards the development of the state as a whole.
In a related development, district heads and other prominent personalities, such as delegations from religious and market bodies, have continued to pay homage to Emir Sanusi II, while giving cold shoulders to the deposed 15th Emir.
Some of the delegation who have pledged allegiance to Emir Sanusi II are the Ansarulddeen Tijjanniya sect and traders from both the popular Kantin Kwari textile market and the Singer market in Kano.
Gov Yusuf’s meeting with the NSA was vented to the world by a statement from the spokesperson for the governor, Dawakin Tofa, in which he averred that they discussed state and national issues.
He wrote, “The two political leaders deliberated on various matters relating to state/national development and the peaceful coexistence of the nation during their discussions in Abuja.
“It is significant to mention that the NSA had been accused of involvement in the Kano crisis for allowing a substantial military presence to protect the removed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, a position swiftly discredited by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“Before this, Kano State Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, apologised to the NSA for his involvement in the Kano crisis, attributing the error to flawed intelligence.
“Recognising the respected professional background and integrity of the NSA throughout his time as an officer and anti-corruption campaigner, the state deemed it necessary to retract the allegation and offer a sincere apology.”
Tofa added in the statement that the governor’s meeting with the NSA coincided with Sanusi’s six-day stay at the palace in Kano, where a significant majority of district heads and kingmakers already pledged their allegiance and loyalty to the newly consolidated Kano Emirate, under the leadership of the 16th Emir.
The statement pointed out that Kano had been characterised by peace and tranquillity, and thus urged all residents to continue their regular activities in compliance with the rule of law.
“It was a fruitful discussion between myself and the National Security Adviser. His role is critical for the harmonious existence of our nation, so I briefed him on the recent developments in Kano,” Tofa quoted the governor as saying in the statement.
The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has commenced a fresh physical verification of disputed and newly drilled crude oil and gas well coordinates across nine states, in a move aimed at ensuring fairness and accuracy in the allocation of the 13 per cent derivation fund.
The exercise, covering the period from 2017 to date, was formally flagged off in Owerri, Imo State, on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, by the Commission’s Chairman, Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu.
The affected states are Delta, Ondo, Edo, Anambra, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
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Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Shehu described the exercise as critical to ensuring transparency, accuracy and fairness in the administration of derivation revenue.
He explained that the Commission has a constitutional responsibility to monitor revenue accruals and disbursements from the Federation Account and ensure equitable distribution of derivation funds among oil and gas-producing states.
The RMAFC chairman stressed that determining the exact coordinates and geographical positions of oil and gas wellheads directly affects the legal and financial entitlements of the respective states.
He consequently charged members of the Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC) and deployed technical officers to carry out the assignment with diligence, precision and professionalism.
Shehu insisted that every verified coordinate, technical assessment and physical observation must be sufficiently accurate to withstand statutory scrutiny.
According to him, the exercise will involve examining disputed and newly drilled oil and gas well coordinates, physically verifying affected wellheads, plotting their locations using approved maps and considering relevant court decisions in resolving outstanding disputes.
He also directed that the committee’s harmonised technical report and findings be submitted exclusively to RMAFC for ratification and formal adoption.
The Inter-Agency Technical Committee comprises representatives of relevant technical institutions, including the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGoF), the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The Imo State Governor was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Petroleum, Hon. Emeka Mgbudem.
Other government officials and RMAFC commissioners in attendance included Hon. Adamu Abdu Fanda, Chairman of the Crude Oil Committee; Hon. Oladele Semiu Gboyega, Chairman of the Gas Committee; Hon. Ismail Mohammed Agaka, Chairman of the Public Affairs and Communication Committee; Ambassador Ayuba Jacob Ngbako; Hon. Akpan Imo Effiong; and Hon. Helen Bob Inafa.
Also present were the Imo State Commissioner for Lands, Surveyor Clement Nwabichie; Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy, Mr Chucks Chukwuemeka; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Dr Angelina Ohiri.
The Commission disclosed that the verification exercise had been conducted previously but was being repeated to ensure that all issues raised were adequately addressed.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has paid a courtesy visit to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Benin City, Edo State.
Shettima arrived at the historic royal palace on Thursday to pay homage to His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, CFR.
The visit highlights the significance of the Benin traditional institution, which has preserved its rich cultural heritage, kingship, artistry and diplomatic traditions for more than seven centuries.
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The Benin Palace remains one of Africa’s most historic royal institutions, representing the enduring legacy and cultural identity of the ancient Benin Kingdom.
The Vice President is in Edo State to participate in the APC presidential campaign rally scheduled to hold at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
As part of efforts to expand access to cheaper alternative fuel and reduce transportation costs, the federal government has commissioned five Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) daughter and last-mile retail stations in Lagos State.
The facilities, developed by the Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation (IOGC) with support from the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), were commissioned on Wednesday by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Speaking at the commissioning, Ekpo said Lagos occupied a special place in the public-service journey of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that his administration was extending the development philosophy pursued during his tenure as governor to the national level.
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He said Lagos had demonstrated the importance of long-term planning, institution building, infrastructure development and the mobilisation of private capital for economic growth.
According to him, the federal government is applying similar determination through the Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure that Nigeria’s abundant gas resources support industrial growth, businesses, transportation and job creation while reducing the cost pressures faced by citizens.
“Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, the President has made it clear that Nigeria’s abundant gas resources must work for Nigerians. They must power our industries, support businesses, improve transportation, create employment and, ultimately, reduce the cost pressures faced by ordinary citizens,” he said.
The five stations are located in Idimu and Abule Egba in Alimosho Local Government Area; Ogolonto in Ikorodu West Local Government Area; Ajah in Eti-Osa Local Government Area; and Oko-Oba in Agege Local Government Area.
Each facility has a CNG compression capacity of 24,000 standard cubic metres per day and a storage capacity of 9,800 standard cubic metres.
The stations are designed as last-mile retail outlets to bring CNG closer to consumers in their residential and business locations.
Ekpo said the facilities would improve access to alternative fuel for motorists and commercial transport operators, while supporting the government’s objective of expanding cleaner energy infrastructure nationwide.
“These stations represent access. They represent affordability. And they represent the determination of government to take the benefits of Nigeria’s gas resources directly to the people,” he said.
He disclosed that President Tinubu had directed the expansion of CNG infrastructure across the country, including the development of an additional 500 refuelling stations towards a planned national network of 1,000 stations.
He said the initiative was aimed at ensuring that the benefits of the country’s gas resources translated into lower transportation costs for Nigerians.
According to the minister, expanding CNG infrastructure in Lagos would provide motorists and commercial transport operators with viable alternative fuel options, while bringing cleaner energy closer to consumers.
“Our objective is therefore not simply to count the number of stations commissioned. Success must ultimately be measured by impact: whether the infrastructure helps reduce operating costs for transporters and businesses, whether those savings reach commuters, and whether Nigerian families begin to feel tangible relief,” he said.
Ekpo said the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas), in collaboration with the Presidential CNG Initiative, MDGIF, state governments, investors and other industry stakeholders, was working to expand refuelling and associated infrastructure to improve access to cleaner and cheaper fuel.
He commended IOGC and the Lagos State Government for embracing the initiative, describing the project as an example of the federal government, state governments and private sector working together to develop critical infrastructure.
The minister also praised MDGIF for its catalytic role in supporting gas infrastructure development, assuring investors of the government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for investments to translate into physical projects and economic benefits for Nigerians.
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