The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday called for an investigation into the alleged diversion of the rice donated by the Federal Government to the Kano State Government by some officials.
The opposition party also demanded the urgent prosecution of those likely to be indicted by the independent probe.
Grassroots Parrot had exclusively reported how some irate youths invaded a private residence of the Kano Chief of Staff, Shehu Wada Sagagi, at Gandun Albasa and looted hundreds of bags of rice during hunger protest.
The bags of rice labeled “Federal Government Food Security Program” were part of the grains donated to the Kano State Government to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
The building was the Chief of Staff’s private residence before he relocated and converted it to an Islamiyya school called Wada Sagagi Islamic School.
READ ALSO: Protesters Invade Kano Chief of Staff Residence; Loot Allegedly Diverted FG’s Rice
However, the State Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, on Saturday, expressed concern over the recurring incidents of alleged palliatives’ diversion by some of the NNPP-led government officials.
He warned that failure to take action may be seen as tacit support for these nefarious and unpatriotic acts.
Abbas cited several instances, including the discovery of hundreds of bags of rice labeled “Federal Government Food Security Programme” at Sagagi’s private school.
He also mentioned the arrest of one Tasiu Al’amin-Roba, allegedly working for the Secretary to the State Government, for diverting the state’s palliatives.
The APC chairman also accused the state government of rebranding and repackaging palliatives with the governor’s picture and NNPP logo, hence selling them to party members.
Abbas also criticized the state government for claiming credit for the Federal Government’s interventions, such as the recent distribution of fertilizer, seedlings, and other inputs to the farmers.
READ ALSO: FG Suspends Registration For N40,000 Rice
He described the actions of the NNPP-led government as a deliberate attempt to undermine the efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to support the people.
When contacted on Tuesday after the Monday’s incident, Shehu Wada Sagagi had earlier admitted that the looted 25 kg bags of rice at his residence were part of the federal government items donated to the state.
He, however, denied the allegation of diverting the food items. He claimed that the state government had approved that some of the palliatives be donated to some schools across the state.
According to him, with that approval, the Qur’an memorization school qualifies to benefit from the palliatives.
But in a twist of events, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported on Saturday that the Chief of Staff, Shehu Sagagi, denied the allegations of diverting the Federal Government’s branded rice meant for the people of the state.
READ ALSO: FULL TEXT: Tinubu Condemns Deadly Protests, Describes Attacks On Properties in Kano Shameful
He said, ”The rice found in my Islamic school was either purchased with my personal funds or donated by generous individuals.
”I have a long-standing commitment to feeding children in my Islamic school, a practice I began before assuming the role of Chief of Staff.”
Sagagi said that he had never diverted any palliatives meant for the people of the state for his personal use.
He added, ”My actions are driven by a sense of social responsibility and a desire to support the community.
Over 14, 000 Islamiyya Schools Deny Receiving Palliatives Despite Shagagi’s Claim
Grassroots Parrot also gathered that the palliatives were not officially distributed to any Islamiyya school, as claimed by the Chief of Staff.
Sani Umar Mika’il, Chairman of the Collation of Qur’anic and Islamiyya Schools in Kano, denied receiving any relief donations from the state or federal government.
Mika’il told our correspondent that despite representing over 14,000 Islamic schools in Kano, they have not received a single grain of rice as part of the relief efforts.
Similarly, Kamal Sa’ed Habib Mai Jabbaru, Chairman of the Association of Teachers’ Unity in Qur’anic and Islamiyya Schools, said their over 2,000 registered schools in Kano have also not received any federal government intervention.
READ ALSO: FG Directs Interested Workers To Register For N40,000 Rice
Sources confirmed that most of the bags of rice sent to Kano were shared among traditional rulers and politicians, and they are expected to distribute the items to vulnerable individuals in their respective localities.
That was a total departure from Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s position. He had warned the committee vested with the responsibility of sharing the palliative to avoid any form of sabotage.
“At this juncture, let me make it very clear and a sound of warning that anybody, individually or collectively, that is found to have diverted a single bag of rice would be dealt with decisively and in accordance with the law of the land.
“I am saying this so that those who think that they can divert these items meant for vulnerable people should have a rethink on this. We will not allow, we will never ever condone any act of sabotage as far as the distribution is concerned,” the governor declared.” He said.