The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kano State has called for an independent investigation into allegations of diversion of Federal Government branded palliative rice by Kano State Government officials.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Shehu Sagagi, was said to be behind the alleged diversion of the rice. But he has denied the allegations, insisting that the rice found in his Islamic school was purchased with his money, while some were donated by some people for the feeding of the students.
However, 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 called for an independent investigation and prosecution of the culprits, warning that the party would take legal action against the government if the call is not needed.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Kano APC chairman said, “These recurring negative events has asserted the NNPP government’s failure to take necessary action against its officials found to be involved in the diversion of the palliatives.
“It then might be interpreted as acts being perpetrated with its tacit support.
“It is unfortunate that last week, hundreds of bags of rice labeled ‘Federal Government Food Security Program’ were discovered at a private school, Wada Sagagi Islamic School owned by the Chief Staff, Government House, Kano, Shehu Wada Sagagi.
“No convincing argument was put forward by Sagagi as to how the bags of rice which 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.”
Abbas added, “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.”
He said that 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 to distribute, 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 should not stop at suspension or investigation. All actions taken should be concluded by prosecuting all those found to have been involved in these scandals to serve as deterrent.”
Abbas pointed out that recently, the administration of President Bola Tinubu sent 70 trucks of fertilizer, seedlings and other inputs for free distribution to farmers in Kano, but the state government claimed the credit as if it procured the products.
He 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 effort 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 symbolic official launch, these interventions have not been felt in 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 tons of maize, 1,320 metric tons of sorghum, and 417 metric tons 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.
The APC chairman said 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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