The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has raised concerns about repeated allegations of the diversion of Federal Government palliatives by officials of the Kano State Government.
In a statement released on Saturday, APC Chairman Abdullahi Abbas called for an independent investigation and prosecution of those involved, warning that the party may resort to legal action if the government fails to act.
Abbas emphasized that if the government does not take the necessary steps against the officials implicated in the diversion of palliatives, it could be seen as tacit approval of these actions. He expressed dismay over the recent discovery of hundreds of bags of rice, marked as part of the “Federal Government Food Security Programme,” at a private school owned by Shehu Wada Sagagi, the Chief of Staff at the Government House in Kano.
Abbas noted that no satisfactory explanation was provided by Sagagi regarding how the rice, meant to support the poor and vulnerable in response to the removal of fuel subsidies, ended up at his private residence, which had been converted into an Islamiyya school.
He also reminded the public of an incident in December 2023 involving Tasiu Al’amin-Roba, reportedly working for the Secretary to the State Government, Baffa Abdullahi Bichi. Al’amin-Roba, identified as a Senior Special Assistant to the Cabinet office, was arrested for allegedly diverting state palliatives. He was caught repackaging rice and maize at a warehouse in Sharada, with the promise of facing legal action.
Furthermore, Abbas accused the State Government of regularly “rebranding and repackaging” some of the grains meant for distribution, primarily to their supporters, with the Governor’s picture and the logo of the NNPP. He also recalled that in September 2023, the Managing Director of the State Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), Dr. Tukur Dayyabu Minjibir, was suspended for allegedly being involved in the unauthorized sale of state-owned grains.
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