By Jabiru Hassan, Kano
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has criticized Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for his criticism of the federal government’s palliative distribution methods.
Kwankwaso had expressed dissatisfaction with the federal government’s approach to distributing aid intended to alleviate hardship. In response, APC Chairman Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas stated that the federal government is committed to reducing hunger but accused the NNPP government of obstructing these efforts.
Abbas emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved several measures to aid poor and vulnerable households. However, there have been reports of mismanagement and diversion of these resources.
He highlighted recent controversies involving senior NNPP officials, including Dr. Tukur Dayyabu Minjibir, the Managing Director of the state Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), who was found involved in the inappropriate sale of state-owned grains. Additionally, Tasi’u Al’Amin Roba, a Senior Special Assistant believed to work for the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Dr. Baffa Bichi, was arrested for allegedly diverting palliatives. Roba was found repackaging rice and maize at a warehouse in Sharada.
Furthermore, Abbas reported that a significant quantity of rice intended for distribution was recently looted from the private residence of Shehu Wada Sagagi, Chief of Staff, Government House, Kano. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is currently investigating this matter.
The APC has called on Kwankwaso to urge his appointed governor to investigate these issues thoroughly, ensuring that those responsible for the diversion of palliatives are held accountable and prosecuted.
Abbas also criticized Kwankwaso’s claims that the palliative distribution was managed solely by the APC. He clarified that the distribution committee, led by Deputy Senate President Senator Barque Jibrin, includes members from various political parties and organizations, including the APC, NNPP, PDP, IPAC, and others. This bipartisan committee was established to ensure fair distribution and prevent resource diversion.
On the matter of security, Abbas defended President Tinubu’s appointments of security heads, attributing Kano’s recent security issues to the NNPP government’s support for violent youth. He noted that Kano was relatively peaceful during the administration of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and he criticized the current insecurity as a result of the NNPP’s actions leading up to the 2023 elections.
