News

RMAFC Commissioner Confered With Prestigious Traditional Title

Published

8 months ago

March 13, 2025

Joel Ajayi

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) today, Thursday 13th March 2025, played host to a delegation from Sakaba kingdom who came to present the certificate of conferment of the prestigious traditional title of Innar Sakaba to Barr. Rakiya Tanko Ayuba Haruna mni, the Federal Commissioner representing Kebbi State in RMAFC .

The title was conferred by the Chief of Sakaba, Alhaji Muhammad Ladan, in recognition of her distinguished service and contributions to the development of her community and the nation.
Hon. Rakiya, a trailblazer in her field, had previously been conferred with the title of Garkuwan Matan Zuru by the Emir of Zuru, Maj Gen (Rtd) Muhammad Sani Sami, in acknowledgment of her leadership and impact. She had also served as the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Kebbi State .

The event, held at the RMAFC Headquarters in Abuja, was chaired by the Chairman of Commission, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu OFR, who was represented by Hon. Ismail Muhammad Agaka, the Federal Commissioner representing Kwara State.

Speaking on behalf of the Chairman, Hon. Agaka said, “Today, as Hon. Rakiya is being conferred with the distinguished title of Innar Sakaba,we recognize not only her professional excellence but also her historical contributions. It is worth noting that this is not the first occasion in which she has been recognized for her outstanding achievements. Her trajectory is a testament to perseverance and excellence.”

“Regardless of how high we ascend in life, our roots remain our foundation. Just as a tree bears fruit only when its roots are strong, so too must we remember and honor where we come from. Hon. Rakiya has been a worthy ambassador for her people, from Sakaba to Zuru, Kebbi State, the Northwest, and beyond.”

The Fed. Commissioner representing Jigawa State, Hon. Hauwa Umar Aliyu extolled the sterling qualities of Barr. Rakiya T. A. Haruna mni. She described her as a diligent and committed member of the Commission who had been a good representative of her people .Other members of staff who spoke at the occasion also eulogised the remarkable legacy of Barr. Haruna, while describing her as a leader whose contributions continue to shape good governance and development in Nigeria.

In her vote of thanks, Hon. Rakiya Tanko Ayuba Haruna mni expressed her gratitude for the honor, reflecting on its significance.

She said, “This recognition is not only a great personal honor but also a profound responsibility which I accept with humility and deep appreciation. Sakaba Chiefdom has a rich history of leadership, unity, and cultural heritage, and I am truly privileged to be associated with this great institution.”

“I pledge to uphold the values and responsibilities that come with this title, serving with dedication, integrity, and commitment to the progress and prosperity of our people.”

The event was attended by dignitaries from Kebbi State, Hon. members and staff of RMAFC, traditional rulers, and well-wishers.

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Politics

Wike’s Loyalists in PDP Suspend Acting Chairman Damagum, Spokesman Ologunagba, Others

Published

19 hours ago

November 2, 2025

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

The Peoples Democratic Party has plunged deeper into crisis as fresh divisions emerged within its leadership, with a faction backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announcing the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and five other members of the National Working Committee.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja on Saturday on behalf of the factional NWC, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, announced the party’s National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the Acting National Chairman.

He stated, “First of all, we want to commend the judiciary over the judgment of yesterday, which is a victory for the entire PDP members all over. Nobody can claim victory over the judgment of the court. It is a judgment against impunity, against illegality. We promote unity, peace, and cohesion in the party.

“Having said that, the party did not overlook the activities of some members of the NWC who have already decided to cause disaffection in the party, which has made most of our leaders and governors leave the party in droves. I would say that this is the time to arrest such a situation and call it to order.

“On this note, after the emergency meeting, we decided, as a party, to suspend Ambassador Damagum, the National Chairman of the party, for incompetence, misappropriation of party funds, and flagrant disobedience of court judgments. We decided that we should suspend him for one month, and we will send him to the Disciplinary Committee for him to be able to answer questions.

“Secondly, we have overwhelming evidence against the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba. We have seen the frequent press releases by the National Publicity Secretary which was confirmed that even at a point, the then National Vice Chairman suspended him for appearing or defending the party because of the unapproved frequent press releases. For us to have sanity in the party, we have suspended him.”

Anyanwu also announced the suspension of the National Deputy Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, accusing him of failing to properly advise Damagum against engaging in anti-party activities and reckless behavior.

He continued, “On that note, he is also suspended for 30 days. Now, we talk about the National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro. We have discovered that in the last few days and months, there have been congresses and sales of forms meant for our congresses, which were bought and paid into two different accounts controlled by the National Financial Secretary. So, on this note, he has been suspended, and we are sending him to the Disciplinary Committee. We are also going to involve the financial agencies to look into those activities.

“Again, the Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, PDP Youth all over, if you watched yesterday, the youth leaders all over the country met and said that they don’t want Mohammed Kandede to be their youth leader again because he has never activated the youth wing of our party, and that wing has been abandoned. For that reason, he has also been suspended for one month.

“Finally, the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo who is supposed to be my deputy, is also suspended for one month. He resumed the office of the National Secretary illegally, signed all kinds of letters, especially to some states, where he has caused disaffection among our party members in those states. For that reason, he has also been suspended for 30 days.

“All of them are sent to the Disciplinary Committee to show cause why they should not be expelled from the party. The judgment of yesterday confirmed the reason why this suspension should be effective. In their place, especially the National Chairman, we are asking the National Vice Chairman (North-Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman to act as National Chairman. In the place of the National Publicity Secretary, we are going to ask the Director of Publicity of our party, Chinwen Nnorom, to take over all the activities of the party in terms of information.”

According to Anyanwu, ten members of the NWC were in attendance.

Earlier, the NWC under Damagum’s leadership announced the suspension of Senator Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and two other members.

Despite the scheduled National Elective Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, internal strife continues to grip the party.

Supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, remain dissatisfied with the leadership of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum.

Their grievances revolve around unresolved disputes concerning the South-South zonal leadership and control of party structures in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau States. In addition, disagreements over the micro-zoning arrangement ahead of the convention have further deepened divisions within the PDP.

These ongoing conflicts eventually escalated into a legal confrontation aimed at halting the planned convention. On Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim injunction restraining the PDP from proceeding with the convention until further notice.

In case number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, the court ruled that the PDP must suspend its convention pending full compliance with its own constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act of 2022.

The case was filed by three aggrieved PDP members Austin Nwachukwu, the Imo State PDP Chairman; Amah Abraham Nnanna, the Abia State PDP Chairman; and Turnah Alabh George, the PDP Secretary for the South-South zone.

They argued that the planned convention violated both the Electoral Act and the party’s internal regulations, citing the PDP’s failure to conduct valid congresses in 14 states before issuing the convention notice.

Justice Omotosho upheld their arguments, ruling that the PDP had indeed breached its constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and INEC’s guidelines by neglecting to conduct proper state congresses and failing to provide the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC.

Consequently, the court ordered the suspension of the planned convention until all internal irregularities are corrected in accordance with the law.

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