NEWS
Kwankwaso not a threat to APC – Lukman
Dr Salihu Lukman, All Progressives Congress (APC)National Vice-Chairman, North-West, says the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) is not a threat to APC in 2023 general election.
Lukman, also the immediate past Director-General of Progressives Governors Forum (PFG) said this when he spoke with newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.
He, however, said that the APC would work hard to achieve success in the 2023 general elections because it was not taking anything for granted.
Lukman said that the difference between APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties was that the party has mass followership among the people.
“We have made it very clear that the difference between APC in 2015 and Kwankwaso in 2023 is that APC is grounded in the minds of the people.
“You can see for yourself, but in the case of other parties, including the PDP, they are hoping and waiting for us to mismanage ourselves on the basis of which they pack whatever we are not able to achieve.
“Now, the reality is that we are not taking anything for granted, we are not dismissing people we are going to work hard,” he said.
READ ALSO: Who’s Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, NNPP candidate?
Lukman also supported the Tinubu/Shettima president ticket of the party saying that the APC leadership considered all factors before arriving at the ticket.
He assured that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the party would protect the interest of all Nigerians if he emerged as the president with the support of the electorate in 2023.
“My position which I have always buttressed is that politics is about contest and managing interests, certainly, the party leadership must have considered all factors before arriving at its choice of a running mate.
“In the end, we have to convince Nigerians that Muslim-Muslim ticket or however you look at it does not mean discrimination against anybody,” he said.
Speaking on his ongoing fact-finding tour of North West, Lukman said it was basically to hear from aggrieved members of the party and get suggestions on how to unite the party, ahead of the general elections.
He said the key issue was basically reconciliation, adding that there was need to listen to aggrieved party members who unfortunately lost primary elections.
“So the recommendations include setting up committees at state level to go round and meet everybody and try to pacify, and that is being done across most of the states.
“The second issue has to do with complaints that some people who left the party are still holding on to federal appointments.
“There are other issues which of course, are very critical as we have reflected in some of the statements we issued,” he said.
This, he said, included issues of insecurity, unity among party members and the question of mobilising for voter registration.(NAN)
In a shocking incident on Sunday morning, unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers invaded the home of Alhaji Auwal, a prominent businessman, in Garo Town, Kabo Local Government Area of Kano State.
The gunmen, estimated to be around 10 in number, forced their way into the residence, breaking down a door to gain entry.
An anonymous source revealed that the attackers were heavily armed, with three carrying firearms and the rest wielding other weapons.
READ MORE: Tinubu Urges Stakeholders To Join Forces To Restart Oil Production In Ogoniland
They quickly gathered the entire family in one room, instilling fear and panic in the household.
According to the source, Alhaji Auwal pleaded with the assailants to spare his family and agreed to meet their demands.
The kidnappers, who were determined to extort money, received ₦8 million from the family.
Despite this payment, the gunmen took the businessman’s eldest daughter, Zainab, a secondary school graduate, before fleeing the scene.
The whereabouts of Zainab remain unknown, and as of now, the kidnappers have not contacted the family.
This abduction comes just 48 hours after the tragic kidnapping and subsequent murder of former Gombe State Permanent Secretary, Atiku Mu’azu, who was killed by gunmen after a ₦10 million ransom was paid.
The two incidents have left the residents of Kano in shock and fear, prompting calls for increased security measures in the area.
Attempts to reach the spokesperson for the Kano Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, for comment were unsuccessful as his phone remained unreachable.
Authorities have yet to make any official statements regarding the investigation.
In a bold move, Colombian President Gustavo Petro declared on Sunday that he would not allow US deportation flights carrying Colombian migrants to access his country’s airspace.
The left-wing leader took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his strong stance, stating, “The United States cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals. I forbid entry to our territory to US planes carrying Colombian migrants.”
Petro made it clear that such flights would only be accepted once Washington established a protocol to ensure the “dignified treatment” of deported migrants.
READ MORE: How Trump Plans To Grow American Economy By $1 Trillion Daily
The president later confirmed in a separate post that he had already turned back US military planes that were en route with Colombian migrants on board, although he did not provide further specifics on the matter.
While AFP sought confirmation from US authorities regarding the blockade of deportation flights, no immediate response was forthcoming.
Petro’s statements come just a day after Brazil’s government voiced similar outrage over the treatment of deported Brazilians.
Brazil condemned the US administration under President Donald Trump, citing instances where Brazilian migrants were deported while handcuffed on flights, describing it as a “flagrant disregard” for their basic rights.
In his remarks, Petro emphasized that he would be open to allowing civilian US flights to transport deported migrants as long as they were not subjected to treatment “like criminals,” signaling a broader call for humane treatment of migrants under international deportation policies.
An explosion at a mining site in Sabon Pegi, Mashegun Local Government Area of Niger State, claimed the lives of four individuals and left several others injured on Sunday morning.
The blast occurred as miners resumed operations, sending shockwaves through the community.
While the exact cause of the explosion remains undetermined, local residents have pointed to the poor handling of explosive devices by mining companies as a possible factor.
READ MORE: Thisday Awards: Diana Ross Arrives In Nigeria
The incident has sparked concerns about safety practices within the mining sector.
Community sources confirmed the recovery of four bodies, but authorities fear the death toll could rise.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of the blast and assess the full extent of the damage.
One resident, Aminu, described the chaos that followed the explosion. “The sound was so loud that many of us thought it came from the hydroelectricity dam nearby. People panicked and ran into the bush for safety,” he recounted.
Another community member highlighted the potential role of mining operations in the tragedy.
“Mining companies here frequently use explosives during their activities, and this seems like an operational issue, not something related to terrorism,” the resident said, dismissing concerns about a security threat in the area.
As of the time of reporting, neither the state government nor security agencies have released an official statement regarding the explosion.
2Baba Disowns Divorce Announcement, Says Account Was Hacked
Shock As 2Baba Announces Separation From Wife, Annie Idibia
AC Milan Pull Off Thrilling Injury-Time Comeback To Beat Parma 3-2
Kano Businessman’s Daughter Kidnapped After ₦8m Ransom Payment
Colombia Blocks US Deportation Flights Over Migrant Treatment
Buhari Calls For Transparency Ahead Of Katsina LG Elections
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
