Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has alleged that the state endured the worst form of corruption during the eight-year tenure of his predecessor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, from 2015 to 2023. Speaking at a capacity-building workshop for civil service directors on the principles of anti-corruption, Governor Yusuf described the corruption in Kano as one of the most severe in the region, significantly undermining the state’s progress and development.
The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Aminu Gwarzo, asserted that Kano suffered from “major grand corruptions” that exceeded those experienced by any other state in the region. He lamented that the state’s assets and investments, particularly those managed by Kano State Investment and Properties, were fraudulently sold off, with the proceeds and properties ultimately benefiting the same individuals who orchestrated the sales.
“Kano State in particular has suffered and experienced one of the major grand corruptions perhaps above any other state in this region over the past eight years,” Yusuf stated. He expressed deep concern over how the state’s infrastructure, revenue generation, and water resources sector were left in disarray due to rampant corruption.
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Governor Yusuf pointed to the deterioration of the state’s infrastructure as a direct result of years of neglect and corrupt practices. He also highlighted significant revenue leakages during the previous administration, which he said benefited a select few at the expense of the state’s collective interest.
One of the most troubling areas, according to the governor, was the state’s water resources sector. Despite a six-million-euro loan purportedly spent to improve this sector, Yusuf claimed that the state was left with decayed infrastructure, resulting in severe hardships for the people of Kano.
“It is not out of place that my government prioritizes anti-corruption as one of its core principles,” Yusuf declared, emphasizing that his administration’s commitment to combating corruption is already evident in the numerous cases currently before the courts.
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The workshop, organized to educate civil service directors on anti-corruption laws and ethical practices, is part of the governor’s broader strategy to instill a culture of transparency and accountability in Kano’s public service. The governor urged all public servants to align with his administration’s anti-corruption stance to ensure the effective utilization of state resources for the benefit of all Kano residents.
Governor Yusuf’s comments further underscore the ongoing political tension in Kano, as his administration continues to address what it views as the widespread corruption that characterized Ganduje’s time in office. The accusations have set the stage for a potentially contentious period as investigations and court cases unfold.