The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 26-member high-level committee to articulate the state’s position in the ongoing constitutional amendment process initiated by the National Assembly.

The inauguration, performed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Farouq Ibrahim, on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, was announced in a press release by the Press Secretary to the SSG, Musa Tanko Muhammad.

Chaired by Professor Auwalu Yadudu and co-chaired by Professor Hafiz Abubakar, the committee comprises legal experts, academics, traditional leaders, and civil society representatives.

Key issues the committee will address include local government autonomy, state policing, resource control, and the role of traditional institutions.

Alhaji Farouq urged the committee to engage the public and develop a comprehensive position paper that reflects Kano’s interests. He also announced the appointment of a secretariat led by Alhaji Umar Muhammad Jalo to support the committee’s work.

In his acceptance remarks delivered on his behalf by Professor Habu Muhammad, Professor Yadudu thanked the governor for the confidence and pledged to carry out the task with integrity and thoroughness.

The committee’s recommendations will guide Kano’s input in the national constitutional review.

Troops of the 223 Light Battalion, Zuru, in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force, have successfully repelled a major bandit attack on Ribah town in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The attempted invasion, which took place on Wednesday, saw more than 400 armed bandits launch a coordinated assault on the community.

A fierce exchange of gunfire followed, resulting in the deaths of several assailants. While some of the attackers managed to evacuate the bodies of their fallen comrades, others were left behind, alongside weapons which were recovered by security forces.

Sources confirmed that a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet provided crucial aerial support during the encounter, targeting retreating bandits and inflicting further casualties.

The Director of Security at the Kebbi State Cabinet Office, Alhaji AbdulRahman Zagga, confirmed the incident in Birnin Kebbi, stating that normalcy had since been restored to the affected area. He added that the attackers were suspected to be the same group responsible for recent violence in parts of Niger State before crossing into Kebbi.

Former National Vice Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Salihu Lukman, has described the newly formed opposition coalition party, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as a political home for Obidients, urging them to unite in building the movement.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television, Lukman emphasised that whoever emerges as the party’s presidential candidate would receive full support from all stakeholders, in order to avoid the mistakes of past elections.

He called on supporters of various leaders within the coalition to rally behind ADC and work collectively to rescue Nigeria, warning that a divided opposition would only pave the way for victory by APC and President Bola Tinubu.

“So, as much as possible, we must keep the opposition together, and in keeping the opposition together, it is not about asking anybody to step down.

“And I appeal to the Obidients and other groups, to really understand that the ADC and the coalition is the home for them and they should come and let us build ourselves together.

“If Peter Obi emerges as the presidential candidate of ADC, we will all support him and strengthen him to overcome the shortcomings of the past. So also, any other, if it is Atiku Abubakar who emerges, for instance, we will support him and strengthen him in such a way that he doesn’t repeat the mistakes of former President Buhari.

“So, I think these are issues which as Nigerians, we must be very honest and frank in engaging them if we are going to move this country forward. This is the kind of debate we want to have in ADC.

“Everybody will slug it out in the presidential primary, apparently,” he said.

The former APC chieftain also noted that ADC would give due consideration to the principle of equity in its decision-making processes, assuring that the party remains inclusive and open to all.

He reiterated that, as of now, there is no discussion within the coalition about an agreed presidential candidate.