The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano state has replied to the chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, who criticised the method adopted by the federal government in the distribution of rice palliatives to the needy in the state.
Kwankwaso on his Facebook page had stated that the federal government’s decision to give Kano’s share of the palliative to APC stalwarts in the state was a disservice to democracy since the palliatives to 35 other states were given to their respective governors.
Kano APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, however, said the decision was informed by President Bola Ahmad Tinubu’s dissatisfaction with the previous exercise in the state when the palliatives were given to the state government to ease hardship.
Abbas in a statement on his X, formerly Twitter, said the federal government was committed to reducing hunger in the country, but the NNPP government was frustrating its efforts.
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Abbas also said President Tinubu had approved several palliative measures for poor households and the vulnerable, but the people assigned for the distribution were m diverting them.
He noted that the corruption scandal involving some senior officials of the NNPP government showed how the palliatives could not reach the targeted poor and vulnerable.
The chairman said despite making public statement on dealing with anyone found involved in the diversion of the palliatives, the Managing Director of the state Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), Dr. Tukur Dayyabu Minjibir, reportedly engaged in inappropriate sales of grains belonging to the state government.
He stated that a Senior Special Assistant to the Cabinet Office, Tasi’u Al’Amin Roba believed to be working for the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Dr. Baffa Bichi, was also arrested for alleged diversion of the state’s palliatives. He was arrested repackaging the rice and maize at the warehouse at Sharada.
Abbas said a large portion of rice meant for distribution to the poor was discovered at the private residence of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Kano, Shehu Wada Sagagi noting that the matter was under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The statement therefore called on Kwankwaso to prevail on his anointed governor to launch an investigation into these acts of “irresponsibility, by ensuring that perpetrators account for all the missing palliatives and also prosecuted.”
“The reconstituted committee by the federal government is under the leadership of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barque Jibrin, with membership from the All Progressives Congress (APC), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Senator Rufa’i Hanga (NNPP), Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila (NNPP), members of the House of Representatives, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, the state deputy governor, traditional and religious leaders, among others,” he said.
Abbas said the bipartisan committee worked out detailed modalities for the distribution of the palliatives to prevent incidences of diversion and ensure that the beneficiaries are truly the most needy members of the public.
On the issue of posting and reposting of directors of the Department of State Services, the chairman said the decision was in President Tinubu’s special consideration for Kano and commitment to ensuring that only diligent heads of security agencies are posted to the state.
He observed that throughout the two-term administration of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Kano remained relatively peaceful with no incidence of violence.
He said, “The prevailing insecurity in the state is the handiwork of the NNPP government, because it encouraged and supported the violent youth. In months leading to the 2023 election, they were always happy with what they do.”
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