•Directs LG chairmen to involve councillors in project execution

From Desmond Mgboh, Kano

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf,  has dismissed allegation of corruption levelled against his administration and the leader of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso by the former Secretary to the Kano State Government, Abdullahi Baffa Bichi

Speaking during a meeting with the 484 NNPP councillors in the state, yesterday, the governor described the accuser as a person that is mentally imbalanced and urged members of the public not to take him seriously.

“I think Baffa Bichi is mentally unstable…most of what he alleged against us are baseless, unfounded, they are all insinuations that have no place in my administration” he stated at the Government House.

Yusuf specifically rubbished the accusation that his administration was more corrupt than the Ganduje government. He also declared as untrue the allegation by Bichi that his government reserves N2 billion monthly for Kwankwaso.

“Why didn’t he say these ugly things when he was in office? You can condemn us, condemn our government and others. But we will not tolerate you insulting our leader,” he said.

Yusuf stressed that Kwankwaso served the state and the nation at various levels without blemish, adding that his stewardship was so positive that he was begged to return for a second tenure in office.

Yusuf pleaded that the administration and the party would follow Kwankwaso wherever he elects to go politically, insisting that his advice, footsteps and foresight do not lead to failure.

He lamented the rate of ongoing misinformation in the state, noting that some people were in the habit of maligning the government as well as reputed  scholars, elders and traditional leaders in the state.

He promised that the government would take drastic measures and charged the radio stations that give them the opportunity to rain insults on leaders to stop allowing such.

“And if they will not stop such, I remind them that we are in-charge in the state and will deal with the situation,” he vowed.

Meanwhile,  Governor Yusuf has directed chairmen of the 44 local government areas to involve their councillors in project execution in their respective areas.

He gave the directive during a meeting with the 484 local government councillors in Kano yesterday.

He said the meeting was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the state government and local government councils.

The governor emphasised the importance of councillors’ involvement in project execution to ensure that community needs are addressed.

He assured that his administration was committed to prudent and corruption-free governance.

He urged councillors to work with their chairmen to enhance key sectors, such as education, health, agriculture and human development.

He directed councillors to identify and propose projects that would benefit their wards and promote community development.

The governor said that the initiative aims to ensure that local government councils are actively engaged in addressing community needs.

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Muhammad Tajuddeen, commended the efforts of the local government councillors in piloting the affairs of their respective local government areas.

He urged them to continue supporting the government’s policies and ensure that they inform the electorate about the policies.

Speaker of the House of Assembly, Ismail Falgoreb, in his remarks, advised the local government councillors to work in synergy with their chairmen to achieve set objectives.

He appealed to the governor to review the salary and allowances of local government councillors to boost their morale.

Chairperson of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kano State chapter, Hajiya Saadatu Yusha’u, praised Yusuf for his commitment to touching the lives of all citizens, regardless of their position or status.

Chairman of the North West Councillors’ Forum, Bashir Shehu Achika, applauded the current administration’s efforts in providing infrastructure to the grassroots.

He said Yusuf had demonstrated commitment to supporting local government councils by allocating funds to execute projects for the well-being of the people.

He appealed to the state government to organise seminars to boost the capacity of the councillors for effective service delivery.