By George Mgbeleke

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, on Tuesday inaugurated the Kano North Senatorial District Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections, charging members and all party stakeholders to unite and mobilise for the victory of all All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates, “from top to bottom: APC, SAK.”

The campaign council is charged to mobilise from across the nooks and crannies of the 13 local government areas of the Kano North Senatorial District for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Barau, the Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, and all candidates of the APC for the House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly.

Inaugurating the committee in Kano, the Deputy Senate President was quoted in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, as urging the members of the council, chaired by the Managing Director of the Hadeja Jama’are River Basin Development Authority and former Secretary to the Kano State Government, Engineer Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi, to go all out to promote all APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He described the campaign as an all-inclusive council, saying every stakeholder at the ward, local government and senatorial district levels has a role to play in ensuring the success of the party.

“This is an all-inclusive arrangement. Everybody is involved, and all stakeholders are part and parcel of this council. This has always been our system, and it is one of the reasons we have continued to succeed in Kano North. This election will not be an exception, by God’s grace, “Senator Barau said.

He charged the campaign committee to mobilise, galvanise and bring all stakeholders together to secure overwhelming victories for all the candidates of the APC, starting with President Tinubu, him ( Barau as the Senator for Kano North Senatorial District), members of the House of Representatives, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and all candidates of the APC for the state House of Assembly.

Senator Barau also appealed to party members to put the outcome of the APC primary elections behind them, stressing that the primaries were over and that all members remained part of the same political family, APC.

He said it was normal for politicians to compete for party tickets in a democracy, but urged those who emerged victorious to work with those who contested but did not secure the tickets.

“You can see that many of those who contested the primaries but did not secure the tickets are here today. They understand that the party belongs to all of us, and that the victory of the party is ultimately their own victory,” he said.

In his response, the Chairman of the campaign council, Engr Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, said the committee would campaign for all APC candidates from the presidential level down to the State House of Assembly.

He described Senator Barau as a strong and sellable candidate whose interventions and contributions had left visible footprints across Kano State.

The chairman said the committee was made up of seasoned politicians and grassroots mobilisers, expressing confidence that they would work together to deliver the highest possible number of votes for all APC candidates in Kano North and beyond.

He assured Senator Barau that members of the committee would work tirelessly to mobilise the electorate and secure victory for the party in the forthcoming elections.

The inauguration was attended by leaders and members of the campaign council, APC leaders and other supporters from across the Kano North Senatorial District.

By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) says the Nigerian Correctional Service must immediately stop the alleged degrading treatment of detained businessman, Mr Ufoma Joseph Immanuel, who is currently receiving medical treatment in a Lagos hospital.
HURIWA condemns the reported decision by correctional officials to handcuff Immanuel’s legs to his hospital bed, describing the action as excessive, degrading and unacceptable, particularly against a detainee undergoing treatment.
HURIWA says it earlier intervened after the Correctional Service failed to promptly enforce a Federal High Court order directing that Immanuel be taken to a standard medical facility.
Following that intervention, the Correctional Service eventually moved Immanuel to hospital, where he has now spent one week receiving treatment.
HURIWA says it is deeply disturbed that the same correctional authorities are now allegedly restricting his movement, preventing family visits and placing him in physical restraints while he remains under medical care.
HURIWA investigator, Femi Ajala, visited the hospital and interviewed members of Immanuel’s family. The family confirmed that correctional officials have maintained a heavy security presence around the detainee.
HURIWA says the family initially accepted the security arrangements because their immediate priority was to ensure that Immanuel received the medical treatment ordered by the court.
HURIWA says the situation has now become unacceptable.
The association says Immanuel is reportedly being confined to his hospital room and prevented from moving around despite medical advice that he should be allowed appropriate movement during treatment.
HURIWA says it is particularly alarmed that his sister was reportedly informed that no visitors would be allowed to see him, while Immanuel was subsequently found handcuffed to his hospital bed.
HURIWA demands that the handcuffs be removed immediately.
HURIWA also demands that Immanuel be allowed reasonable movement in accordance with the advice of his doctors and that his immediate family members, particularly his sisters, be granted reasonable access to him.
HURIWA calls on the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service to immediately investigate the conduct of the officers assigned to the hospital and explain the legal and medical basis for handcuffing a hospitalised detainee to his bed.
HURIWA equally calls on the Minister of Interior to intervene immediately and ensure that the Correctional Service obeys the court order and respects Immanuel’s fundamental rights while he remains in custody.
HURIWA says the presence of armed correctional officers must not be allowed to undermine medical treatment, family contact or the dignity of a hospitalised detainee.
HURIWA further demands that Immanuel be allowed appropriate privacy during consultations with his doctors and that custodial officers do not unnecessarily interfere with the doctor-patient relationship.
HURIWA stresses that this intervention has nothing to do with determining Immanuel’s guilt or innocence in the criminal proceedings before the courts. The courts will determine that matter.
HURIWA says its concern is the conduct of the Correctional Service and the treatment of a detainee who is currently in hospital under a court-directed medical arrangement.
HURIWA says detention does not cancel human dignity.
HURIWA says custody does not authorise degrading treatment.
HURIWA says a hospital bed must not become a place of unnecessary restraint and punishment.
HURIWA therefore demands, with immediate effect:
Removal of the handcuffs from Immanuel’s hospital bed;
Freedom of movement consistent with medical advice;
Reasonable access for his immediate family members;
Respect for doctor-patient confidentiality; and
Full compliance with the relevant court order.
HURIWA warns that continued restrictions that have no clear lawful or medical justification would amount to a serious human rights concern requiring the intervention of relevant constitutional and human rights institutions.
HURIWA will continue to monitor the situation and hold the appropriate authorities accountable for the welfare and fundamental rights of Mr Ufoma Joseph Immanuel.

By George Mgbeleke

The Northern Senators Forum has received with profound sadness the news of the passing of Distinguished Senator Bello Mandiya, former Senator representing Katsina South Senatorial District in the Ninth National Assembly, who died at the age of 62.

His death is a painful loss to his family, the people of Katsina State, the people of Katsina South and the nation at large. Senator Mandiya lived a life devoted to public service, and his passing has deprived Nigeria of a committed administrator and legislator whose contributions will remain part of the political history of Katsina State and the Ninth Senate.

Before his election to the Senate in 2019, he served as Chief of Staff to the former Governor of Katsina State, His Excellency Aminu Bello Masari, His years in Katsina politics reflected his qualities of loyalty, political maturity, patience and commitment to public service. He was a team player who understood the importance of consultation, dialogue and building consensus even when political interests differed.

As a member of the Ninth Senate, Senator Mandiya distinguished himself as a diligent and responsible legislator. He was a dependable colleague and bridge-builder who consistently promoted cooperation among senators and advocated policies that would strengthen national development. He believed strongly in the unity, stability and progress of Nigeria and approached public service with the understanding that political office must ultimately be used to improve the lives of the people.

The Northern Senators Forum extends its deepest condolences to Senator Mandiya’s immediate family, the government and people of Katsina State, the people of Katsina South, his political associates and his former colleagues in the National Assembly .We pray that Almighty Allah forgives his shortcomings, accepts his good deeds and grants him Aljannatul Firdaus, while granting his family and loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss.