The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has called for an independent investigation into allegations of diverting federal government-branded palliative rice by Kano State government officials.
It will be recalled that the Kano Chief of Staff to the Governor, Shehu Sagagi, was said to be behind the alleged diversion of the rice.
However, he has denied the allegations, insisting that the rice found at his Islamic school was purchased with his money, while some was donated by some people for the feeding of the students.
But, while speaking, the APC chairman in Kano, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, said the party is worried by the recurring incidents of diversion of palliatives by officials of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) government in the state.
Abbas then called for an independent investigation and prosecution of the culprits, warning that the party would take legal action against the government if the call was not needed.
However, in a statement released on Saturday, the Kano APC chairman said, “These recurring negative events have asserted the NNPP government’s failure to take necessary action against its officials found to be involved in the diversion of the palliatives.
According to him, “it then might be interpreted as acts being perpetrated with its tacit support.
He hinted that “it is unfortunate that last week, hundreds of bags of rice labelled ‘Federal Government Food Security Programme’ were discovered at a private school, Wada Sagagi Islamic School, owned by the Chief Staff, Government House, Kano, Shehu Wada Sagagi.
Abbas therefore stated that ‘no convincing argument was put forward by Sagagi as to how the bags of rice that form part of the grains donated to the Kano State Government to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal among the poor and vulnerable residents were found in his private residence turned Islamiyya school.”
“In December last year, one Tasiu Al’amin-Roba, allegedly working for the Secretary to the State Government, Baffa Abdullahi Bichi, who was identified as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Cabinet Office, was arrested over alleged diversion of the state’s palliatives.”
The suspect was found repackaging the rice and maize at a warehouse located at Sharada and was subsequently arrested.
The government of Kano State is in the habit of rebranding and repackaging some parts of the grains they want for distribution, mostly to their members with the picture of the governor and logo of the NNPP.
“In September last year, the Managing Director of the state Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), Dr. Tukur Dayyabu Minjibir, was suspended for alleged involvement in an inappropriate sale of grains belonging to the Kano State Government.
“It is therefore very important that the Kano State Government not stop at suspension and investigation. All actions taken should be concluded by prosecuting all those found to have been involved in these scandals to serve as deterrents.”
Abbas pointed out that recently, the administration of President Bola Tinubu sent 70 trucks of fertiliser, seedlings, and other inputs for free distribution to farmers in Kano, but the state government claimed the credit as if it had procured the products.
He also alleged that the items were sold to farmers at N5,000 per bag.
The Kano APC chairman described the actions of the NNPP government “as a deliberate attempt to rubbish the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in supporting the people during this trying period.”.
“At different times, the Federal Government donated truckloads of grains to the Kano State Government for distribution to the needy, but apart from the symbolic official launch, these interventions have not been felt by the larger society.
“To our knowledge, Kano State Government received 100 trucks of rice, 44 trucks of sorghum, and four trucks of maize. It was also apportioned 969 metric tonnes of maize, 1,320 metric tonnes of sorghum, and 417 metric tonnes of millet, to be distributed equitably across all local government areas. Just recently, 20 trucks of rice were also given to Kano State,” he added.
Abbas added that it was unfortunate that the people are yet to see the impact of Tinubu’s efforts in Kano, as evidenced by the level of frustration and expression of anger against the government during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
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