KANO, Nigeria – The Transition Committee, led by Abdullahi Bichi, has accused outgoing Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of selling off government properties to family members and cronies.
Bichi, the chairman of the committee, made the accusations during a visit to the Kano State Public Procurement Bureau (Due Process Office) on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.
According to Bichi, the committee has received credible information that the Due Process Office was allegedly sold to Abba Ganduje, the governor’s son.
“The office, which was until this afternoon actively utilized by staff of the office, was sold to the son of the exiting governor of the state, and we are deeply worried by the manner at which the outgoing governor is mortgaging the common franchise of the good people of Kano State, leaves much to be desired,” Bichi said.
The committee chairman likened the government’s actions to “vandalism” and claimed that “they are uprooting every structure of governance.” Bichi further alleged that the office was sold for less than N10 million, significantly below market value.
He also stated that the real game would begin on May 29, promising to recover any stolen, misappropriated, or vandalized assets from the outgoing government and return them to the public.
Bichi issued a warning to developers purchasing these properties, cautioning that they risk prosecution under the incoming New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) government of Abba Kabir Yusuf, which will take over from May 29.
Muhammad Garba, the commissioner of information and internal affairs who speaks on behalf of the government, could not be reached for comment. However, Garba previously issued a statement urging the NNPP to wait until they are sworn in before making policy statements.
Governor Ganduje has also warned his successor to avoid creating a scenario suggesting there are two governors in the state, presumably in response to the allegations brought forth by the Transition Committee.
