Poor Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State. Very strange that the tribunal fired you for an internal party matter. Yes, in all these rulings, they have been consistent that what happened in the party stayed in the party. But strangely they opened the veil for you: “The tribunal noted that Yusuf was not officially a member of the NNPP when he contested in the governorship election”.

The tribunal, headed by Justice Oluyemi Akinatan-Osadebey, cited three key reasons for their decision:

• Membership Issue: The tribunal noted that Yusuf was not officially a member of the NNPP when he contested in the governorship election.

• Overvoting Concern: The election was marred by overvoting, which cast doubt on the legitimacy of the results.

• Voting Margin Discrepancy: The margin of victory between the NNPP and APC candidates was smaller than the number of canceled votes.

The argument has been that if the party nominated and sponsored the candidate, that the opposition party has no basis to question it. That was the basis of returning the former senate president back to the Senate. Indeed, even though he did not win the primaries, the party sponsored him, and that invalidated the elections in which he did not participate. In other words, you are covered once the party sponsors you to the general elections. But here in Kano tribunal, they moved 180 degrees, questioning an internal party matter.

Fellow Citizens, whether your party or candidate is winning or losing, every Nigerian should be concerned that our judiciary is dropping the ball. Nigeria cannot advance until we bring fairness across the board. How do we want this Kano politician to feel? They also knocked him down due to “overvoting”. Really? It is his fault that INEC failed on its duty.

Poor Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State. Very strange that the tribunal fired you for an internal party matter. Yes, in all these rulings, they have been consistent that what happened in the party stayed in the party. But strangely they opened the veil for you: "The tribunal… pic.twitter.com/a453y8ytPL

— Ndubuisi Ekekwe (@ndekekwe) September 21, 2023

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduced a new online platform called the CBN Licensing, Approval and Other Requests Portal (CBN LARP) for the submission of microfinance bank (MFB) license applications.

This digital platform aims to streamline and facilitate the process of applying for licenses and seeking approvals related to microfinance banks in Nigeria.

In a circular signed by Isa AbdulMumin, Director, of Corporate Communications, and issued on Wednesday, the apex bank said the new online platform will eventually replace the current manual process wherein prospective applicants for MFB licenses physically submit their applications to the CBN. It added that “the Bank will extend the platform to other categories of licenses” in due course.

The online application system offers numerous benefits, including a simplified process, time savings, enhanced communication, and robust security measures. By digitizing the application process, the Bank aims to improve accessibility, reduce paperwork, and expedite license approvals, benefiting both applicants and the economy.

“Consequently, with effect from September 25, 2023, MFB license applicants are required to submit both hardcopy and online applications (via the CBN LARP) as part of a parallel run.

“The cover letter submitting the hardcopy application must also note a valid application reference from the online submission to be accepted.

“The parallel run will end on December 31, 2023. Thereafter, manual submissions of hardcopy MFB license applications will no longer be required and accepted,” the CBN said.

The apex bank noted that from September 25, 2023, prospective MFB applicants are urged to log on to www.larp.cbn.gov.ng to submit their respective MFB license applications. The portal offers assistance and detailed guidance to users for navigating the application process. Additionally, a user guide can be downloaded from the platform to aid applicants in using the new online system.

Applicants are encouraged to reach out to the dedicated helpdesk via email at cbnlarp-helpdesk@cbn.gov.ng for additional information and assistance regarding the MFB license application process through the CBN Licensing, Approval and Other Requests Portal (CBN LARP).

It’s important to note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will continue to accept manual applications for all other license types until further notice.

NCC Makes changes to fixed lines

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a new numbering format for fixed lines, in accordance with its responsibilities outlined in the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) of 2003, which empowers the NCC to oversee Nigeria’s numbering resources.

As part of this change, Nigeria’s fixed lines numbering format has been expanded from eight digits to ten digits. This modification involves the addition of the “02” prefix before the existing fixed number, according to a statement issued by the NCC.

The Director of Public Affairs at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Reuben Muoka, stated on Tuesday that this announcement aligns with a fundamental duty of the NCC. Furthermore, it is in accordance with the practices endorsed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which is the United Nations body overseeing Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

“The Commission hereby informs the public of the changes and also clarifies that existing numbers will continue to operate concurrently till the cut-over date of 31 December 2023. From 1 January 2024, the new numbering format beginning with “02” prefix will be operational.

“In other words, the old and new number formats are allowed to run concurrently till the cut-over date (31 December, 2023). Thereafter (from 1 January 2024), the new fixed-lines format will assume full recognition across all networks,” the Commission said.

The NCC provided examples to illustrate the numbering format change. For instance, the previous number 09461700 should now be dialed as 02094617000 in the new format.

Here are additional examples for major cities:

Lagos: The current number format of 014630643 will now be 02014630643 in the new numbering format.

Abuja: The current number format of 094630643 will now be 02094630643 in the new numbering format.

Port Harcourt: The current number format of 084460643 will now be 02084460643 in the new numbering format.

Kano: The current number format of 064460643 will now be 02064460643 in the new numbering format.

These examples demonstrate the shift to the updated ten-digit numbering format.

It’s important to note that the change in numbering format announced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) solely pertains to fixed telephone numbers. There is no alteration to the existing numbering format for mobile phone numbers.

The Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has removed Abba Kabir Yusuf from his position as the state governor and declared Nasir Gawuna, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, as the winner of the March 18 governorship election in the state.

The tribunal, in its judgment on Wednesday, September 20, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to revoke the certificate of return issued to Yusuf of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) and present it to Nasiru Gawuna.

The tribunal, headed by Justice Oluyemi Akinatan-Osadebey, cited three key reasons for their decision:

• Membership Issue: The tribunal noted that Yusuf was not officially a member of the NNPP when he contested in the governorship election.
• Overvoting Concern: The election was marred by overvoting, which cast doubt on the legitimacy of the results.
• Voting Margin Discrepancy: The margin of victory between the NNPP and APC candidates was smaller than the number of canceled votes.

The panel subtracted 165,663 votes from Yusuf’s total vote count. These votes were declared invalid because the ballot papers lacked the necessary stamp or signature.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), led by its counsel Offiong Offiong, had lodged a petition challenging the controversial election of Abba Kabir Yusuf on various grounds.

In their petition, the APC contended that Yusuf’s name should have been officially included in the NNPP membership registry at least thirty days before the election. The APC requested that the tribunal accept their petition and grant all the reliefs they sought.

Kano State, led by former governor, Umar Ganduje, had been under APC control for the preceding eight years.

In response, Yusuf’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, argued that the ousted defendant was indeed a legitimate member of the NNPP. He further stated that it was not within the purview of the APC to determine whether someone was an NNPP member. Awomolo urged the tribunal to dismiss the APC’s case, deeming it without merit.

Yusuf is expected to appeal the judgment.

However, a 24-hour curfew has been declared in Kano to forestall possible unrest following the judgment. The Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Usaini Gumel, in a statement he personally signed, said a combined team of security operatives has been dispatched across the city to enforce the curfew.

“In view of the Constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force alongside the relevant Internal Security and Law Enforcement Agencies to preserve law and order in the State, the Kano State Police Command have mapped out strategies in that direction and call on the good people of the State to give the necessary confidence and supports.

“Going forward, Kano State residents are called upon to note that combined Security Forces have already been dispatched to the nooks and crannies including the entry and exits of the State to ensure enforcement and strict compliance of the Twenty-Four Hours (24hrs) Curfew order as communicated by the State Government via letter with Reference No: K/SEC/H/435/T.1/153 dated 20th September, 2023 taking effect from 6 pm of Wednesday, 20th September to 6 pm of Thursday, 21st September 2023.

“Violators will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.