August 19, (THEWILL) – The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch a full-scale investigation into the purported contract for the supply of drugs to the 44 local government areas in the state.
The party, in a statement issued by its Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, in Kano on Monday, also called for the freezing of the accounts of the 44 LGAs in the state “to stop further plundering of their resources in the name of joint projects”.
He alleged that the recent admission by Governor Abba Yusuf that he was not aware of the contract is a clear indication that he is either not in control or lacks the capacity to lead the state, as the APC had repeatedly insisted.
He described as laughable the Governor’s directive to the state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission to probe the matter.
The Kano APC Chairman alleged that going by his antecedents, the Chairman of the Commission, Muhyi Rimin-Gado, is “partisan, compromised” and, therefore, lacks the power to investigate the scandal allegedly involving the immediate family members of the Governor’s father-in-law and embattled leader of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the state, Sen. Rabi’u Kwankwaso.
According to him, the scandal is the latest in the series of financial recklessness allegedly involving officials of the NNPP government in the state.
Abbas recalled that the State Government “awarded controversial contracts worth N27 billion for the construction of two interchange bridges at Dan-Agundi and Tal’udu junctions in the metropolis, the payment of which would be shared in a 30/70 ratio between the state and the 44 local governments”.
He said there are still financial allegations that are either not probed or not properly investigated involving the State Government, its officials and appointees.
“These include diversion and repackaging of palliatives by a political appointee attached to Cabinet Office, sale of properties at Radio Kano, missing funds at Abubakar Rimi Television, illegal sale of palliatives at the state Agricultural and Rural Development Authority and the diversion of Federal Government’s palliatives traced to the private residence of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Kano,” the Chairman added.
Responding to the allegations, the state Commissioner for Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, commended Governor Yusuf for directing an immediate investigation into the contract for the supply of drugs to the 44 LGAs, describing it as “the right decision.”
Dantiye also explained that due process was followed in awarding the contracts for the two interchange roads in the metropolitan area and that the records of the projects are available for public scrutiny.
He expressed surprise that the Kano APC leaders consistently sought court restrictions on investigations into their activities, questioning their motives and challenging them to allow investigations to proceed “if they have nothing to hide”.
The Commissioner stated that there have been calls for the State Government to investigate the wife of the immediate-past governor of the state, Hafsat Ganduje, for alleged misuse of funds belonging to the 44 LGAs in the state through 44 bank accounts during Ganduje’s two terms in office.
He assured the people of the state that Governor Yusuf is committed to fulfilling his campaign promises, ensuring accountability and “punishing any misdemeanours and non-compliance with procurement processes in accordance with the law”.
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
