Kwankwaso’s Gov Must Account for FG Palliatives – APC

APC demands accountability from Kwankwaso’s Kano government over the federal palliatives distributed in the state, urging transparency.

The Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized Sen. Rabi’u Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), for his disapproval of the Federal Government’s approach to distributing palliatives and ensuring they are received by those in need.

The Chairman of the party, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, issued a statement on his X handle pointing out that while the Federal Government is dedicated to reducing hunger in Nigeria, its efforts are being thwarted by the NNPP administration in Kano State.

Abbas criticized Kwankwaso’s statement that only the APC was responsible for distributing relief materials.

“The newly formed committee, led by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin and consisting of members from APC, NNPP, PDP, IPAC as well as several other individuals such as Senator Rufa’i Hanga (NNPP), Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila(NNPP), Comrade Aminu Abdussalam (members of the House of Representatives) and local traditional/religious leaders was instituted by the federal government,” he explained.

He stated that the distribution of palliatives had been extensively planned by a bipartisan committee to prevent any instances of diversion and guarantee that only the most deserving members of society would receive them.

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He stated that President Bola Tinubu’s dissatisfaction with the previous distribution of palliatives prompted the federal government to create a new sharing method.

According to him, President Tinubu had sanctioned various measures aimed at providing relief aid for underprivileged households and those who are susceptible; however, he stated that the designated individuals responsible for distributing these resources were misappropriating them.

According to him, the involvement of high-ranking officials in scandalous activities within the NNPP government highlighted how the intended relief measures failed to reach those who were identified as being poor and vulnerable.

Despite the Kano State Government’s warning to take action against whoever diverts palliatives, the chairman accused Dr. Tukur Dayyabu Minjibir, Managing Director of state Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), of engaging in “improper sale” of grains that belong to the government.

It was affirmed by him that Tasi’u Al’Amin Roba, a Senior Special Assistant to the Cabinet Office, had been detained for purportedly redirecting the state’s relief materials.

The statement can be rewritten as: “He was apprehended for re-packaging rice and maize inside the Sharada warehouse.”

Abbas claimed that there has been a recent case of looting at the private residence of Shehu Wada Sagagi, Chief of Staff in Government House Kano where a substantial amount of rice meant for distribution to those less fortunate was taken. This incident is currently being looked into by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Consequently, the chairman requested Kwankwaso “to instruct his preferred governor to initiate an inquiry into these instances of recklessness by guaranteeing that those responsible for the disappearance of palliatives are held accountable and punished.”

Furthermore, he maintained that besides the discrepant statistics regarding physical activity levels, inadequate sustenance was provided during the 2024 Annual Ramadan Feeding Program. Consequently, Governor Abba Yusuf proclaimed his lack of faith in those individuals to whom he had assigned duties.

The chairman attributed the decision to post and repost directors of the Department of State Service as a result of President Tinubu’s special consideration for Kano. He further added that this was in line with his commitment towards ensuring only competent heads are assigned security roles within the state.

Throughout Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s two-term administration, he noted that there were no instances of violence in Kano and the state remained relatively peaceful.

According to him, the reigning instability in the state can be attributed to the actions of tNNPP administration which endorsed and aided violent youths. They took delight in their acts as it approached 2023 polls.