The digital media space in recent days has been awash with what the Kano State Government described as false narratives targeting the accountability, trust, and financial credibility of some of its key aides.
This was conveyed in a statement signed by Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the Director-General of Media and Publicity to the Governor, and made available to newsmen.
The government was reacting to an August 22 publication by Daily Nigerian, which alleged the withdrawal and diversion of N6.5 billion from the state treasury and linked the matter already before the High Court to the Director-General of Protocol, Government House, Abdullahi Rogo.
Read Also:
According to the statement, the Protocol Directorate operates purely as an administrative office, responsible for logistics, accommodation, welfare, and the management of the governor’s itineraries. It added that every cash outflow in ministries, departments, and agencies is budgeted with clear codes under the state’s fiscal policy, stressing that no individual has access to public funds without designated purpose and approval.
The government further noted that over 95 percent of the responsibilities of the Protocol Directorate involve financial transactions such as settling liabilities incurred on behalf of the state, including logistics for VIPs and VVIPs like the Presidency, ministers, foreign diplomats, and visiting dignitaries.
It dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, accusing opposition elements of sponsoring misinformation to discredit officials of the current administration.
The statement also revisited alleged financial mismanagement under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, claiming his administration spent over N20 billion through the Protocol Directorate within three months after the APC lost the 2023 election to the NNPP. It also referenced the widely circulated “dollar video scandal” and alleged cases of land grabbing and misuse of public assets during Ganduje’s tenure.
While maintaining that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration remains committed to transparency, accountability, and prudent use of public resources, the statement urged the media not to be used for “blackmail and misinformation.”
The government further stressed that the matter remains under litigation and vowed to allow the court to determine it at the appropriate time.
However, Kano-based activist Abba Hikma challenged the government’s position, insisting that instead of shifting blame to the past administration, Governor Yusuf should investigate the allegations thoroughly.
“You know we fought for this government because we were not okay with the way the last administration ran governance. But now this same administration we fought for is engaging in similar acts. This is unbefitting for the Abba Kabir Yusuf administration,” Hikma said.
