By Seyi Odewale
The Kano State Government yesterday broke its silence on allegations that ₦6.5 billion was diverted from its treasury, dismissing the claims as false, malicious, and politically motivated.
The controversy, which has dominated the digital media space in recent days, centres on Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, Director-General of Protocol at the Government House.
Reports, first published by Daily Nigerian on August 22, alleged that Rogo oversaw questionable withdrawals, an issue already before a Kano High Court.
But in a lengthy rebuttal issued on Monday, the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) denied any wrongdoing, accusing opposition figures of orchestrating a smear campaign to discredit the government ahead of the 2027 elections.
The government sought to clarify the functions of the Protocol Directorate, stressing that it neither operates as an independent spending office nor undertakes financial transactions outside budgetary approval.
“Every cash outflow to Ministries, Departments and Agencies is properly coded and accounted for. No individual in government handles funds without a designated purpose,” the statement read.
The Protocol Directorate, it explained, manages logistics, welfare, itineraries, and hosting responsibilities for dignitaries visiting the Governor, including the Presidency, foreign diplomats, ministers, and local citizens requiring special attention.
Rather than focusing solely on the allegation, the Yusuf administration shifted its attention to former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, now National Chairman of the APC, accusing him of presiding over a “corruption-ridden era.”
The government alleged that Ganduje’s administration spent over ₦20 billion through the same Protocol Directorate in just three months between February and May 2023, after the APC lost the governorship election.
It reminded citizens of the infamous “dollar video” scandal in which Ganduje was filmed allegedly receiving cash bribes, as well as accusations of land grabbing and offshore property acquisitions linked to his family.
“The people of Kano have not forgotten the dollar-video saga. Land grabbing and reckless plundering became the norm under the Ganduje years,” the statement said, insisting the current campaign was merely an attempt by opposition forces “to revive themselves after their woeful defeat.”
According to the Yusuf administration, the allegations are part of a broader propaganda war by opposition groups in Kano, who, it claimed, had even set up an office dedicated to petition-writing against NNPP officials.
“This is a calculated attempt to malign key officials and weaken their support for the governor,” it alleged, vowing not to succumb to “political blackmail.”
The government also threatened legal action against those spreading what it described as falsehoods.
Despite its strong counter-punch, the government sought to reassure Kano citizens that transparency remains its guiding principle.
“This administration has nothing to hide. Any official, including the DG of Protocol, is prepared to explain their actions before anti-graft agencies in line with due process,” the statement said.
Governor Yusuf, popularly known as “Abba Gida-Gida,” was described as one of the most decorated governors of the Fourth Republic, having received numerous awards for transparency and accountability.
Observers say the episode goes beyond a single allegation of diversion. Kano, a political powerhouse in northern Nigeria, has become a flashpoint in the contest between the NNPP and APC.
With the 2027 elections looming, analysts believe corruption allegations will remain a potent weapon for both sides.
“What we are seeing is not just about ₦6.5bn,” said one political analyst in Abuja. “It’s about shaping public perception before the next battle for Kano.”
For now, the case remains before the courts, but the rhetoric suggests the fight for Kano’s political soul is only just beginning.
