The All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Murtala Garo, has welcomed Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the party.

Garo described the governor’s defection as a positive development for political stability and sustainable growth in the state.

Garo, who is also a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said in a statement on Tuesday that Yusuf’s decision demonstrated political maturity and foresight at a time when Kano and Nigeria require unity and inclusive governance.

“I formally welcome His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, into the All Progressives Congress. This is a significant and commendable step in our collective quest for political stability, inclusive governance and sustainable development in Kano State,” Garo said.

He praised Yusuf’s leadership, noting that his calm disposition and commitment to public welfare distinguish him as a leader willing to place peace and progress above partisan considerations.

“By this decisive action, His Excellency has shown the ability to rise above partisan divides in the interest of peace, progress and unity,” Garo added.

Garo said the governor’s move also reflected an understanding of the political and economic challenges facing Kano State and the country.

He expressed confidence that Yusuf’s entry into the APC would strengthen the party’s reform agenda and enhance cooperation between the state and federal governments.

He also reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and pledged to work with the governor and other stakeholders to promote good governance, political harmony and policies that benefit the people of Kano.

Otunba Adekunle Ojora, a legendary figure in Nigeria’s corporate world and a prominent Lagos traditional leader, has passed away at the age of 93.

According to an official family statement signed by his daughter, Toyin Ojora-Saraki, he died peacefully at his home in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Widely celebrated as one of Nigeria’s most influential corporate leaders of the post-independence era, Otunba Adekunle Ojora carved an exceptional legacy that spanned journalism, public service, politics, and big-ticket corporate governance. He was Chairman of the Board of AGIP Nigeria Limited from 1971 until its acquisition by Unipetrol in 2002.

Ojora’s professional journey began in the early 1950s at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) after studying journalism at Regent Street Polytechnic, London. Rising to the position of assistant editor, he later returned to Nigeria in 1955 to join the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) as a reporter. He later moved to Ibadan, where he served as an information officer in the office of the then regional premier.

In 1961, he transitioned into the corporate world, joining the United African Company (UAC) as Public Relations Manager and becoming an Executive Director in 1962. His interest in commerce and enterprise deepened in the years that followed, marking the start of a lifelong influence in Nigerian boardrooms.

Following the military coup that ended the First Republic, Otunba Ojora was nominated to the Lagos City Council in 1966. In 1967, he held two key appointments: Managing Director of WEMABOD, a regional property and investment company, and Chairman of the Nigerian National Shipping Line, succeeding Chief Kola Balogun.

After leaving WEMABOD, he expanded his footprint as a major investor and entrepreneur. He held significant interests in AGIP Petroleum Marketing, NCR Nigeria, and founded several private firms, including Nigerlink Industries, Unital Builders, and Lagos Investments, a holding company. In the wake of the Nigerian Enterprise Promotion Act, he acquired equity stakes in numerous foreign companies operating in Nigeria, including Bowring Group, Inchcape, Schlumberger, Phoenix Assurance, UTC Nigeria, Evans Brothers, and Seven-Up.

Beyond the boardroom, Otunba Ojora was deeply rooted in tradition. He was the Otunba of Lagos, Lisa of Ife and Olori Omo Oba of Lagos.

He is survived by his wife, Erelu Ojuolape, and children, including, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, wife of former Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Abuja Federal high Court has struck out an ex-parte motion filed by leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto correctional facility.

The court’s decision was influenced by several factors, including the withdrawal of Kanu’s Legal Aid Council lawyer, Demdoo Asan, who cited irreconcilable differences and claimed Kanu tried to control the handling of the case.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, Kanu’s counsel, Demdoo Asan, a senior legal officer of the Legal Aid Council, informed the court that he wishes to withdraw from the matter, citing some irreconcilable issues.

He said since the last adjourned date, he had been on constant phone communication with the relatives of the applicant.

Asan also noted a lack of family support in providing necessary documentation.

According to him, Kanu’s relatives did not show up at his office to depose to the application, despite phone calls and promises to show up.

He added that Kanu wanted to dictate the tune of the matter and control what counsel would say.

“He wants to write down what I would say while in court. But, as an officer of the court, I can’t in good faith accept that,” Demdoo said.

Demdoo added that he consulted with his superiors and they share the same sentiment, stating that as officers of the court, when a matter comes to them, they will handle the matter as they see fit, else the applicant can find legal help somewhere else.

On that note, he invoked Order 50, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Rules, seeking to withdraw from the matter.

In his ruling, Justice Omotosho commended the counsel for upholding the dignity of the court.

Justice Omotosho held that having listened to counsel from the Legal Aid Council, he will grant leave for the counsel, and the agency generally, to withdraw from representing the defendant convict.

He added that the motion was incompetent.

“In the interest of justice and fairness, this court directed that other parties involved in the matter be served on notice.

“But since the last court sitting, 8th December, 2025, until today, 27th January, 2026, there is no prove of service before this court,” the judge said.

He thereafter ordered that the motion ex-parte be struck out for lacking competence