The series of trending video of the Executive Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje allegedly collecting bribe from contractors as published by an Abuja based online news platform Daily Nigeria is worrisome to say least.
But more worrisome is the deafening silence and indifference to such serious allegation of corruption involving a governor by the Federal Government and all the anti graft agencies in the country.
This conspiracy of silence by the national authority and agencies of government charged with the constitutional responsibilities to stamp out corruption in the system attest to nothing but a clandestine plot to sweep the grievous allegation under the carpet.
We challenge the APC led administration to speak up on this matter to convince Nigerians that the fight against corruption which is its principal focus is not seen as directly only to perceive opposition and critics of the current administration as alledged.
In a serious clime where men of integrity and character populate public space, allegation of this nature and magnitude is enough reason for them to resign their positions to give room for credible and unbiased investigation that will unravel the truth.
While we may not call on the state governor to resign his position to pave way for credible probe into the matter, we commend the courage of the state House of Assembly in stepping in to investigate the veracity or otherwise of the allegation, even when EFCC and ICPC chose to toe the part of silence.
Recall that the parliament in a three paragraph-letter to the governor titled “invitation to respond to an allegation of bribery against H.E Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje,” invited the governor to appear in person or proxy to defend himself against the allegation.
The governor who chose the latter and represented by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Muhammad Garba refuted the allegation of bribe taking, while insisting that the news were aimed at tarnishing the political image of the governor.
Though, the committee investigating the allegation of the trending video promised to thoroughly watch the video in the presence of the representatives of both parties, it is our view that ICT professional should be engaged by the House to carry out a forensic audit of the video with the view to substantiating the veracity or otherwise of the video.
We urge them to be resolute and uncompromising in their effort to get to the root of the allegation against the governor and stamp out corruption in the state. We commend the efforts of the lawmakers for daring to institute the probe of the governor especially in a clime were most state houses of assembly are rubber stamps and mere appendages of the office of the executive governor.
It is our opinion that political expediency and consideration should not be allowed to overshadow the legal and moral demand that the right thing be done
