The opposition APC in Kano State has responded to the leader of NNPP, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, following his criticism of the federal government’s distribution of rice in the state.
Kwankwaso, in a Facebook post, condemned the federal government’s decision to involve APC members in distributing the state’s share of the palliatives, stating that it was “a disservice to democracy.”
He said that while the 35 other states had their palliatives managed by their respective governors, Kano’s distribution was handled by APC stalwarts.
Responding in a statement posted on his X account, Kano APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, defended the federal government’s actions, explaining that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was dissatisfied with the way the state government, led by NNPP, handled the previous round of palliatives.
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Abbas said, “President Tinubu is committed to reducing hunger in the country, but the NNPP government in Kano is frustrating these efforts.”
He accused Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration of diverting palliatives meant for the poor and vulnerable, undermining the federal government’s intent.
Abbas further alleged that some officials within the NNPP government had been implicated in scandals involving the misappropriation of the palliatives.
Abbas urged Kwankwaso to call on his “anointed governor” to investigate these incidents of alleged misconduct.
He emphasised that President Tinubu had established a reconstituted committee chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, to oversee the distribution of palliatives in Kano, with members from APC, NNPP and PDP, as well as traditional and religious leaders, to ensure transparency.
Addressing the issue of the recent transfer of the Department of State Service (DSS) director in Kano, Abbas said the move was part of President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that only “diligent heads of security agencies” were posted to the state.
He highlighted that during the two-term administration of ex-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Kano was relatively peaceful, with no major incidents of violence.
He further said, “The current insecurity in Kano is the result of the NNPP government’s actions. They encouraged violent youth groups, especially during the 2023 election period, and the state is now paying the price for that.”