By Abiola Olawale
The political climate in Kano State has remained tense as the supporters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), have begun to engage in a fierce battle of words over the decision of the present administration under the leadership of Governor Abba Yusuf to probe the family of immediate past governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje.
It was gathered that since the state government initiated a lawsuit against the National Chairman of the APC, his supporters have begun trading words with Yusuf, with many describing the action as a witch hunt.
The supporters of the Governor had also stood up to show solidarity for their principal, saying Yusuf has the legal right to probe the administration of Ganduje if there is an indication of wrongdoing on the part of Ganduje.
The New Diplomat reports that the Kano State government initiated a formal summons against the former two-term governor, his wife, son, and five others at a Kano state High Court last Tuesday over allegations of financial impropriety while in office.
The former Governor was accused of collecting a $400,000 kickback from a contractor. The government also accused Ganduje of criminal conspiracy, misappropriation, diversion of public funds, and bribery, to the tune of N1.3 billion.
In a swift response, Ganduje sounded a stern warning to Yusuf to concentrate on bringing good governance to his people instead of embarking on an attempt to drag his name in the mud. He added that the bribery allegation was an ‘unfortunate and sorry attempt’ to shift attention from the fact that there was nothing on the ground in the state that the governor could use to justify the huge allocations he has been receiving since the inception of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Since the development, residents who spoke with the members of the press expressed apprehension that the probe might lead to a serious controversy against the backdrop of the deep-seated animosity between the feuding parties.
It was also gathered that the impending litigation dominated political discussion on local radio stations and newspapers.
However, in its official reaction to the unfolding saga, the chairman of APC in Kano State, Abdullahi Abbas, said as much as “The party will continue to be law-abiding, it will not, however, condone witch-hunt, political victimization, and persecution.”
The New Diplomat reports that a Kano State High Court has fixed April 17, 2024, for the arraignment of Ganduje, his wife, son, and five others, for alleged bribery.
Ganduje and the others will be arraigned on eight counts bordering on a $413,000 bribery allegation, diversion, and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N1.38bn, among others.
