Kano govt: Alleged diversion of N6.5bn sponsored, ill-motivated, smear campaign

From Desmond Mgboh Kano

Kano Government has debunked the allegations of withdrawal and diversion of N6.5 billion from the treasury of the state levelled against the Director General, Protocol Directorate, Kano State Government House, Abdullahi Rogo.

A statement by the Director General, Media and Publicity, Kano Government House, Sanusi Bature, described the allegations as sponsored, ill-motivated smear campaign by opponents in a desperate bid to remain relevant ahead of the 2027 elections

He insisted that every cash inflow into Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state was carefully budgeted with clear codes well spelt out in the fiscal policy of the state, adding that no individual in government’s MDAs handles public funds without proper designated purpose.

He further explained that the Directorate of Protocol’s operations at Kano Government House was like similar protocol offices across the country, adding that it handles critical responsibilities of the Government House and key operations of the  office of the Chief  Executive of the state.

“These responsibilities cover but are not limited to logistics, accommodation, welfare and management of the Governor’s itineraries within and outside the country.

“The Directorate of Protocol is equally entrusted to provide required logistics to VIPs and VVIPs, which include the presidency, ministers, foreign aides and other diplomatic visitors on official state visits to the governor.

“The large number of personalities captured in this category also includes ordinary citizens that mostly attract the special attention of the governor.

“Expectedly, over 95 percent of the responsibility of the Directorate of Protocol involves large volumes of financial transactions and more often than not, settles liabilities incurred on the state at the instance of His Excellency,” said the statement.

The statement further stressed that the Protocol Office is purely administrative in function and has the mandate to coordinate official engagements, state visits, receptions, ceremonial events and logistics and other interventions, as well as special assignments.

“It is not an independent spending office and does not undertake any financial transactions outside established rules and approvals. Every action undertaken by the Protocol Office is done within the framework of the law and with the express approval of the government under a designated budget code.

“While the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf will remain focused on governance and maintain its position on financial prudence, accountability, transparency and zero tolerance for corruption, the government will not sacrifice the integrity of its aides to deliberate acts of political blackmail being orchestrated by unpatriotic elements in society.

“The government is also not in doubt about the credibility of the Director General, Directorate of Protocol, Government House, Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo,” the statement said.

More importantly, the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) administration will remain open to lawful, fair and unbiased criticism within the ambit of the law, but will not succumb to easy blackmail through misinformation.

“The Kano State Government is aware of the nefarious activities of a particular opposition group seeking to pull the present administration down. The opposition party is struggling hard, using the digital space to over-blow the matter to misinform the  public.

“While the government will allow them to continue running after shadows, we wish to also reawaken the consciousness of the public to how the immediate past Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, through the Protocol Directorate, spent over N20 billion from the state treasury in just three months between February and May 2023 after his party, the APC, lost woefully to the NNPP.

“The previous administration recklessly governed Kano for eight corruption-driven years with traces of multiple accounts operated by the former First Lady and purchases of houses in Dubai and Saudi Arabia” Bature claimed in the statement.

The statement held that the Kano State Government has absolutely nothing to hide and is fully committed to transparency and accountability, adding that any government official, including the Director-General of Protocol, was always ready to provide explanations and clarifications to the anti-graft agencies on their activities and official engagements.

“As the case stands before a court of competent jurisdiction, the Kano State Government will remain indifferent on this matter till the case is determined at the appropriate time,” the statement held.

A few days ago, an online publication, Daily Nigerian, while citing court papers, had accused the state Director General, Protocol Directorate, Abdullahi Rogo of irregular withdrawal and diversion of N6.5 billion from the treasury of the state.