News
Kano governor-elect to revisit Sanusi’s dethronement, says Kwankwaso
The incoming Kano state government of Abba Kabir Yusuf, who won the governorship election on the platform of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), has planned to revisit the dethronement of Muhammad Sanusi II as emir of Kano. Former governor of Kano State, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, who dropped the hint in a viral video, said “the dethronement and balkanisation of the emirate would be reviewed by the NNPP government of Abba Yusuf -the governor-elect.”
Sanusi, who became Emir in the final term of Kwankwaso as governor, was dethroned by outgoing Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who was deputy governor at the time the monarch was installed. Sanusi, the 14th Emir of Kano, was removed on March 9, 2020, banished from Kano and sent to Loko, a remote community in Nasarawa State. The expenses of the Kano emirate under him were probed. Aminu Ado Bayero, the son of Sanusi’s predecessor who ruled Kano for more than half a century until his death in 2014, succeeded Sanusi.
Ganduje had earlier split the emirate into five and appointed Emirs of the same first class status, with the Emir of Kano serving as the chairman of the emirate council. Sanusi, the 14th emir of Kano, despite little constitutional powers, was able to exert significant influence besides being the custodian of both religion and tradition in Kano. Sanusi, an ex-central bank governor, was deposed for alleged “insubordination” to the Ganduje administration. He had a frosty relationship with Ganduje at the time he was removed. His fans believe he was sacked for opposing Ganduje’s re-election in 2019.
Ganduje had said he removed Sanusi “in order to safeguard the sanctity, culture, tradition, religion and prestige of the Kano emirate”, accusing the sacked emir of “total disrespect” of institutions and the governor’s office. The Kano governor-elect has also said in several fora his intention to revisit Sanusi’s dethronement if he could win the governorship. Speaking on the issue in the viral video, Kwankwaso said: “We have campaigned and as you know we are popular in Nigeria especially in Kano state, we are now back and God willing we will continue with the good works our administration left. This incoming governor and his team will take them up.
“As elders, we will continue to advise them to do the right thing. We tried not to intervene in the issue of bringing or removing any Emir, but now, an opportunity has come. Those who were given this opportunity will sit down and see to the issues. They will look at what they are expected to do. Beside the Emir, even the emirate has been divided into five places. All these need to be studied. Usually a leader inherits the good, bad and issues that are hard to reconcile.”
Recent developments have surfaced regarding the ongoing investigation involving two opposition figures: former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha.
According to an article by POLITICS NIGERIA, both leaders have been summoned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Tambuwal, who is a close associate of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a notable member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led coalition, was detained on Monday after complying with the EFCC’s invitation to its Abuja headquarters at approximately 11:16 a.m.
He is reportedly being questioned about alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals totaling ₦189 billion during his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023.
An EFCC source indicated that these withdrawals are believed to be in “flagrant violation” of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The source clarified, “He was not arrested as was reported in some media. He was invited to provide an account for the ₦189 billion, which he was unable to do satisfactorily. He will remain in our custody until he can offer plausible explanations.” The official further emphasized, “Consider the impact that ₦189 billion could have had on Sokoto State or the nation as a whole.”
The commission has also extended an invitation to Ihedioha, who previously served as deputy speaker of the House of Representatives during Mr. Tambuwal’s tenure as speaker.
In a letter dated July 18, signed by EFCC Director of Investigation Abdukarim Chukkol, the Secretary to the State Government of Imo has been instructed to release certain officials for an interview scheduled for August 11, 2025. These officials are required to bring payment approvals, vouchers, and payment schedules covering the period from May 29, 2019, to January 14, 2020, during Mr. Ihedioha’s administration.
Associates of Mr. Tambuwal have asserted that the investigation is politically motivated. One aide suggested that the inquiry began four months ago when individuals associated with the government encouraged Mr. Tambuwal to join President Bola Tinubu’s political agenda.
“We questioned how we could, in good conscience, collaborate with the government given the prevailing poverty and insecurity in the country, particularly in the North,” the source remarked.
The aide further noted that the investigation resurfaced approximately three weeks ago when Mr. Tambuwal received a letter from the EFCC requesting specific details regarding his tenure as governor. “They did not provide explicit details. We suspect this matter may pertain to World Bank funds allocated during his administration, which were disbursed through bank accounts. He previously received a clean bill of health from the World Bank,” the aide added.
Another source pointed out that Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Sokoto, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and once Tambuwal’s deputy, was involved in many of the decisions currently under scrutiny. “For the sake of fairness, the EFCC should also mention his name, even though he possesses immunity,” the source stated, noting that other former Sokoto officials have also been summoned.
In a parallel situation, sources indicate that Ihedioha was approached months ago to join the Tinubu coalition prior to receiving his own EFCC summons. Recently returned from abroad, he is anticipated to respond to the invitation this week.
Tambuwal is affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and plays a significant role within the ADC-led coalition, which includes prominent figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, among others.
President Donald Trump has called for the immediate resignation of the new CEO of Intel, a prominent U.S. semiconductor manufacturer, following concerns raised by a Republican senator regarding the CEO’s connections to companies in China.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump asserted, “The CEO of Intel is highly conflicted and must resign immediately. There is no other solution to this problem.” This statement followed Senator Tom Cotton’s disclosure that he had contacted Intel to express his concerns about Lip-Bu Tan’s affiliations with Chinese firms.
In response to these allegations, Tan issued a statement indicating that Intel is actively engaged in discussions with the Trump administration to address the concerns raised and to ensure that officials are fully informed with accurate information.
Intel, an iconic company in Silicon Valley, is currently facing significant challenges as it competes with dominant players such as TSMC and Samsung in the custom semiconductor sector. Senator Cotton’s letter, which he published on his website, claimed that Tan holds control over numerous Chinese companies and possesses interests in hundreds of advanced manufacturing and semiconductor firms based in China.
“At least eight of these companies reportedly have ties to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army,” Cotton wrote.
The Republican Senator also noted Tan’s role as the previous head of Cadence Design Systems, which he said recently “pleaded guilty to illegally selling its products to a Chinese military university.”
Cotton said while serving in that role, Tan transferred “its technology to an associated Chinese semiconductor company without obtaining licenses.”
In a statement, Tan said there has been “a lot of misinformation circulating” about his past roles at Walden International and Cadence Design Systems.
“I want to be absolutely clear: Over 40+ years in the industry, I’ve built relationships around the world and across our diverse ecosystem,” Tan said.
“And I have always operated within the highest legal and ethical standards.”
He stressed that the United States has been his home for over 40 years and that he is “profoundly grateful for the opportunities it has given me.”
He added that he fully shares Trump’s commitment to “advancing US national and economic security” and is proud to lead a company “so central to these goals.”
The Malaysia-born tech industry veteran took the helm at struggling Intel in March, announcing layoffs as White House tariffs and export restrictions muddied the market.
He has previously said it “won’t be easy” to overcome challenges faced by the company.
The company was also caught by surprise with the emergence of Nvidia as the world’s preeminent AI chip provider.
Intel’s niche has been chips used in traditional computing processes, which steadily being eclipsed by the AI revolution.
Punch
As heavy rainfall continues to impact various regions of the country, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has issued a warning indicating that significant flooding is anticipated to affect 198 local government areas across 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from August 7 to August 21, 2025.
According to The Vanguard, this advisory follows the Lagos State government’s expression of sympathy towards residents in Ikorodu who have suffered from flooding attributed to the recent extensive downpour. The government has assured affected individuals that comprehensive measures are being implemented to effectively manage flash floods, and plans for humanitarian assistance for impacted communities are currently being developed.
It is important to note that the Federal Government also issued a warning on Tuesday regarding potential flooding in 19 states. The National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre, part of the Federal Ministry of Environment, has called upon stakeholders and residents to take necessary precautionary actions.
In the recent alert issued by NiHSA, flood risk levels have been classified as Very High, High, and Moderate, depending on local topography and projected rainfall intensity. The affected states identified include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.
NiHSA has indicated that over 832 communities are at risk of varying degrees of flooding. Furthermore, it has been revealed that more than 100 major transportation routes may face disruptions, with an increased likelihood of displacement in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
Umar Mohammed, the Director General of NiHSA, emphasized the importance of vigilance in affected regions, urging residents to adhere to early warning protocols and to collaborate with emergency response agencies to ensure safety and preparedness.
“This alert is issued in line with our commitment to safeguarding lives and property.”
He also appealed to affected states and local governments to rise up to the occasion and safeguard the lives of their people.
“We call on state governments, local authorities, and the public to take proactive measures to mitigate risk and ensure community safety,” Mohammed said.
He assured that the agency will continue to monitor the hydrological situation and provide timely updates as necessary.
He also added that for further information and real-time flood updates, citizens are encouraged to follow NiHSA’s official channels or contact their respective State Emergency Management Agencies, SEMAs.
Lagos mulls intervention in affected communities
Torrential rainfall on Monday, which lasted for over 13 hours left some parts of Lagos State flooded, while residents continued to count their losses.
Speaking with newsmen after an inter-ministerial, extensive on-the-spot assessment tour on the Ikorodu drainage infrastructure construction, yesterday, Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, said when all the infrastructure construction are completed, it would address the perennial flooding issues in Ikorodu as a whole.
Rotimi-Akodu, explained that the intensity of the rainfall experienced in Lagos on Monday/Tuesday was the type whose magnitude does not occur regularly but can only be experienced in decades.
According to him, “What happened here is from nature, the effects of climate change is real, and that is why we’re all out to see that we ensure the optimal functioning of our resilient infrastructures to tackle these challenges.
“We are here to convey Mr. Governor’s message of sympathy to the people affected through dislocation as well as properties damaged and lost.
“We are here to also assess the level of damages and to check how far the on going drainage project has gone and what we can quickly put in place to mitigate the pains and alleviate the problems.”
Rotimi -Akodu, added that the government would ensure that the contractor handling the drainage project expedites work to address the immediate challenges in the areas affected whilst also sticking to the timeliness for the completion of the project, reminding residents that majority of the areas affected are flood plain areas.
The Special Adviser, also advised residents to always display positive attitude towards the environment especially waste disposal by ensuring that waste does not end up in drains.
“We must also ensure that we avoid encroachment on road Infrastructure especially Right of Way, We should be reminded that what goes round comes around. If problem arises from negative human elements, it is going to affect us.”
Also speaking, Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde, said he joined the inspection to the affected areas to carry out a preliminary assessment of what really happened and also gather the right information and statistics to enable government take appropriate humanitarian decisions
Among the places visited include the on-going construction of the Outfall Channel for the ongoing Gberigbe Road Project (One Fold) Outfall which cut across One Fold Community, Okeletu Road, Unity Estate, Gbopa Community, Abule-Eko Community, all in Ijede; ongoing construction of Palm Avenue Collector Drain, Oke-Eletu, Ijede and Igbogbo.
Rhodes-Vivour faults eviction order
Meanwhile, governorship candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 Lagos poll, Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has faulted the Lagos State government’s advice to flood-affected residents of Ikorodu to vacate the area, describing it as a reflection of governance failure.
Rhodes-Vivour questioned the rationale behind the advice, arguing that asking people to leave without a plan for relocation, shelter, or support is not governance.
Media and Publicity aide to Rhodes-Vivour, Adewole Ireti, in a statement, noted that the erosion problem in Ikorodu is not new, lamenting that residents had complained for years and got no solution.
He said: “Just on Tuesday, tragedy struck again in Ikorodu as severe water erosion swept through homes, displacing families, damaging properties, and leaving many stranded without shelter or direction.
“What should have triggered immediate emergency response from the Lagos State Government was instead met with a shocking and dismissive comment from the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, who advised the affected residents to ‘vacate the area.’
“Instead of words of empathy and a rollout of emergency plans, what the public got was a callous order to leave. That is not leadership; that is abdication of duty.
“The lives of the poor matter. Development is not about bridges and flyovers alone; it is about people, the woman who lost her shop to erosion, the children who slept on wet floors, the families with nowhere to run.
“If government cannot protect the people from natural disasters, then the least it can do is show compassion, take responsibility, and provide clear, actionable solutions and not harsh ultimatums.”
Lagos fish farmers lament N150M loss, seek govt intervention
Also, the Lagos State Catfish and Allied Farmers Association, LASCAFAN, has lamented the loss of more than N150 million in the recent floods in the state.
The LASCAFAN Vice President and incoming President, Mr. Olatoye Fajimi, disclosed this in an interview with NAN, yesterday in Lagos.
Fajimi attributed the loss to the recent downpour witnessed in the state.
He said: “It has been a bad time for fish farmers in Ikorodu following the rains that fell on Monday.
“When fish farmers got to their farms at Ikorodu and other parts of Lagos State and discovered that most of their fish, if not all in some cases had been washed away by the torrential rain that fell overnight, it was a dismal experience.
“The rain fell heavily throughout the night such that by the time farmers got to their various fish ponds around the lowlands of the Ikorodu area, most of the farms had been overrun by flood water.”
“The fish had already been washed off into nearby gutters and canals. It has been a tale of woes from LASCAFAN Ikorodu zone,” Fajimi said.
According to him, an evaluation of the loss in the sector since Monday is estimated at N150 million.
“We have been doing an evaluation with fish farmers that are members of the association and others to see the extent of the damage and loss.
“As of today, August 7, the damage has been quite enormous. Over 50 fish farmers have been affected and the loss in monetary terms at the moment is well over N150 million.
“In fact areas and ponds that were never flooded in past have experienced flood this time.
“The downpour was heavy and consistent, and because it happened through the night did not give the farmers the opportunity to try and salvage their investment in any way.”
A Senior Special Reporter to Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, at the Ministry of History and Culture, Sadiq Gentle, has died from injuries sustained during a violent attack by suspected hoodlums, as reported by DailyTrust.
Gentle passed away on Thursday morning at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, days after the gruesome machete attack at his residence.
Meanwhile, the Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has directed security agencies to swing into action and fish out the perpetrators.
In a condolence message issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor described the late aide as “a dedicated and patriotic social media professional” whose violent death has cast a dark cloud over the state government and the media community.
The governor said, “The news of the death of Malam Sadiq Gentle hit me with deep sadness and anguish.
“He was not only a devoted public servant, but also a man of peace and integrity, who served the state with utmost dedication. His gruesome murder is a tragedy and an affront to our collective humanity.”
Governor Yusuf condemned the killing in the strongest terms, describing it as “heinous, barbaric, and utterly unacceptable.”
The Governor also extended heartfelt condolences to Gentle’s family, friends, and professional colleagues, assuring them that the Kano State Government stands in solidarity with them during this difficult time.
Leadership comes with criticism and lots more. But in political circle, several allegations come up with either true or false.
In a fresh move, alarm has been raise over another sex scandal towards the leadership of Nigeria Senate President.
Recall that Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the allegation during an interview with Arise Television on a penultimate Friday.
The senator detailed an incident from 8 December, 2023, when she and her husband visited Akpabio’s residence in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State.Natasha was barred from office and had her allowances and security withdrawn for six months after she made an accusation against Akpabio, who denied the claims against him.
A civil society organisation, Centre for Democratic Accountability and Transparency (CDAT), has raised the alarm over what it described as a fresh plot to blackmail Godswill Akpabio, Senate President, with another sex scandal.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by Michael Ogundele, its executive director, the group said it had uncovered plans by political enemies to circulate “doctored videos” aimed at tarnishing Akpabio’s image.
Ogundele said the orchestrated campaign is allegedly sponsored by some “desperate politicians” who are unhappy with Akpabio’s growing influence in national politics.
He said the group’s internal investigation revealed that the smear plot involves the use of manipulated content pushed through blogs and social media platforms.
His words: “We are in possession of credible intelligence that points to a calculated move to release fake sex tapes in a bid to embarrass the Senate president.
“This kind of dirty politics must be condemned. We urge Nigerians not to fall for such tactics designed to distract from critical governance issues.”
The group called on security agencies to investigate the development and ensure that those involved are brought to justice.
Ogundele urged political stakeholders to focus on national development and avoid acts capable of further polarising the country.
₦189 billion fraud: Fresh trouble hits coalition as EFCC invites Tambuwal, Ihedioha
Customs seize N10bn worth of contraband, arms, drugs at Lagos Port
‘At 52, I haven’t found the right man for my life’ – Bimbo Akintola
Lawmaker predicts states Tinubu would win in 2027
Difference between busy and productive in Naija
2027: ADC replies APC chairman over ‘irrelevant’ comment over youths
2027: How Jonathan’s PDP candidacy may favour Atiku to become President (Full voting breakdown)
Coalition: ‘Not Atiku or Obi’ – Analyst states why Tinubu will remain President in 2027
FirstBank champions inclusive fintech innovation at Canada-Africa summit
2027: Jonathan’s name unsettles ADC, APC as PDP set to unveil zoning formula
Spotlights2 weeks agoJAPA TO HELL: ‘I sold my father’s house for ₦45 million to relocate to Canada, one year after I’m still jobless”
News2 weeks agoTRENDING VIDEO: Tension as Rev. Fr. Mbaka reveals scary prophecy ahead 2027
Showbiz & Lifestyle1 week agoWhy Davido unfollows Iyabo Ojo on Instagram
Sports7 days agoCristiano Ronaldo storms Lagos as Al Nassr begins pre-season tour
News1 week ago17-year-old Nigerian girl beats 69 countries to emerge first in English language
Spotlights2 weeks agoEXPOSED: In Ghana, Nigerian girls sleep with 15 men daily, full details emerge
Spotlights1 week agoOnly 38.32% of candidates pass English, Maths as WAEC releases 2025 WASSCE results
