Prince Abdullahi Abbas, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, has taken a strong stance against Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso, the head of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), for his disparaging remarks regarding the Federal Government’s strategy for distributing palliatives aimed at ensuring food supplies reach those in need.
In a statement shared on his X account, Prince Abbas asserted that the Federal Government is dedicated to combating hunger across the nation, but he accused the NNPP-led administration in Kano State of obstructing these efforts.
Abbas further condemned Kwankwaso for suggesting that the distribution of aid was exclusively managed by the APC.
He clarified that the federal government’s shift to a new distribution method was prompted by President Bola Tinubu’s dissatisfaction with previous practices.
The newly formed committee established by the federal government is chaired by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin and includes representatives from various political parties, including the APC, NNPP, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), alongside traditional and religious leaders.
Abbas emphasized that this bipartisan committee has devised comprehensive protocols for palliative distribution, aimed at preventing misappropriation and ensuring that assistance reaches the most vulnerable segments of society.
He revealed that President Tinubu has authorized various palliative initiatives for impoverished households and at-risk individuals, yet he alleged that those charged with implementing these distributions have been misusing the resources.
Abbas claimed that “outrageous actions involving high-ranking officials of the NNPP government have underscored the failures in delivering palliatives to the intended poor and vulnerable populations.”
He also noted that despite warnings from the Kano State Government regarding the repercussions for anyone caught misdirecting palliatives, Dr. Tukur Dayyabu Minjibir, the Managing Director of the state Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), was implicated in the improper sale of government-owned grains.
Moreover, he indicated that a Senior Special Assistant in the Cabinet Office, Tasi’u Al’Amin Roba, was arrested for allegedly rerouting state palliatives, having reportedly repackaged rice and maize at a warehouse located in Sharada.
Abbas further alleged that a significant quantity of rice intended for the needy was stolen from the residence of the Chief of Staff at the Kano Government House, Shehu Wada Sagagi, and that the case is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).