The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to initiate a comprehensive investigation into a recent scandal concerning expenditures allegedly linked to a medical supply contract for 44 local governments in the state.
In a statement released by the APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, which was made available to journalists in Kano, the party called for the freezing of accounts belonging to the 44 local government councils to prevent further misappropriation of their resources under the guise of joint projects.
However, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has denied any knowledge of the contract. This denial was communicated in a statement jointly signed by the Commissioner of Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, and the Director General of Media and Publicity to the Governor, Mr. Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, which was shared with reporters in Kano.
In light of the allegations, the Governor has instructed the Executive Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) to promptly investigate the matter and provide a report for further necessary actions.
Governor Yusuf also appealed to the citizens of Kano State to remain patient while the investigation unfolds.
In a strongly worded statement, APC Chairman Abbas criticized Governor Yusuf’s admission of ignorance regarding the scandal, suggesting it reflects a lack of control or capacity to effectively lead the state, as the APC has consistently asserted.
Abbas dismissed the directive for the PCACC to probe the issue as laughable, questioning the impartiality of the commission’s chairman, Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado. He claimed that Rimin Gado is partisan and lacks the authority to investigate allegations involving family members of the governor’s father-in-law and the beleaguered leader of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the state, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.
The APC Chairman asserted that this incident is part of a broader pattern of financial mismanagement involving officials of the NNPP government. He recalled the state’s controversial awarding of contracts worth N27 billion for the construction of two interchange bridges at Dan-Agundi and Tal’udu junction, with payments to be divided in a 30/70 ratio between the state and the local governments.
Abbas highlighted several unresolved financial allegations against the government, its officials, and appointees, which include claims of the “diversion and repackaging of palliatives” by a political appointee from the Cabinet Office, the sale of properties at Radio Kano, missing funds at Abubakar Rimi Television, illegal sales of palliatives at the state Agricultural and Rural Development Authority, and the diversion of federal government palliatives traced to the Chief of Staff’s private residence at the Government House in Kano.
