The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has strongly criticized Sen. Rabi’u Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), for his recent comments on the Federal Government’s palliative distribution methods.
In a statement posted on his X handle, Abdullahi Abbas, the APC Chairman in Kano, defended the Federal Government’s approach, emphasizing its commitment to alleviating hunger across the country. Abbas accused the NNPP-led government in Kano State of frustrating these efforts.
Abbas highlighted that the reconstituted committee responsible for the palliative distribution, chaired by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin, includes members from various political parties, including the APC, NNPP, and PDP, as well as representatives from traditional and religious sectors.
This bipartisan committee, according to Abbas, has developed detailed strategies to ensure the palliatives reach the most vulnerable without incidents of diversion.
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The APC chairman argued that the Federal Government’s new distribution method stems from President Bola Tinubu’s dissatisfaction with previous efforts, which allegedly involved diversion of the commodities. He further alleged that senior officials in the NNPP government were implicated in the mismanagement of the palliatives.
Abbas accused Dr. Tukur Dayyabu Minjibir, Managing Director of the Kano State Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), of being involved in the inappropriate sale of grains meant for the state’s most vulnerable people.
He also pointed out that a Senior Special Assistant to the Cabinet Office, Tasi’u Al’Amin Roba, was arrested for allegedly repackaging and diverting palliative supplies. Furthermore, Abbas claimed that rice intended for the poor was looted from the private residence of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Kano, Shehu Wada Sagagi, an incident currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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Abbas called on Kwankwaso to urge the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, to investigate these alleged acts of misconduct and ensure accountability. He criticized the state government’s handling of the 2024 Annual Ramadan Feeding Programme, citing poor quality meals and conflicting reports about the distribution figures, which led Governor Yusuf to express his loss of confidence in those he had entrusted with the program.
Addressing concerns about recent changes in the posting of directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Kano, Abbas asserted that these decisions reflect President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring competent leadership within security agencies in the state.
He contrasted the current security situation with the relative peace during Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration, accusing the NNPP government of fostering violence by encouraging violent youth groups during the lead-up to the 2023 elections.
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Grassroots Parrot reported how Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso accused the Federal Government of undermining constitutional democracy by excluding Kano State from the recent distribution of rice palliatives to 36 other states.
Kwankwaso alleged that Kano’s share was handed over to APC members, urging President Tinubu to address what he described as a “blatant act of partisanship.”