The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has criticised Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), for condemning the Federal Government’s method of distributing palliatives to the needy.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 9, 2024, the APC chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, said the Federal Government was committed to reducing hunger in the country, but the NNPP government in Kano was frustrating these efforts.
Mr Abbas said that President Bola Tinubu has approved several palliative measures for poor households and vulnerable individuals, but those assigned to distribute them were allegedly diverting the resources.
He cited instances of senior NNPP government officials being allegedly involved in the diversion of palliatives.
In addition, he alleged that the Managing Director of the State Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), Tukur Dayyabu Minjibir, was found allegedly selling grains belonging to the state government.
He also mentioned the arrest of a Senior Special Assistant to the Cabinet Office, Tasi’u Al’Amin Roba, for allegedly diverting the state’s palliatives.
The APC chairman called on Kwankwaso to instruct his anointed governor to investigate these incidents and ensure that the perpetrators account for the missing palliatives and face prosecution.
He also criticised Kwankwaso for saying that the distribution exercise was solely left to the APC.
Mr Abbas pointed out that the reconstituted committee by the Federal Government included members from the various political parties, including the NNPP, PDP and IPAC.
He stated that the bipartisan committee worked out detailed modalities for the distribution of palliatives.
Mr Abbas said it was to prevent diversion and ensure that the beneficiaries were truly the needy members of the public.
He also defended the posting and reposting of Directors of the Department of State Service, saying it was a decision made by President Tinubu to ensure that only diligent heads of security agencies were posted to Kano.
The APC chairman observed that throughout the two-term administration of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Kano remained relatively peaceful, with no incidence of violence.
Mr Abbas opined, ”But the prevailing insecurity in the state is the handiwork of the NNPP government, which encouraged and supported violent youth.”
