· Gives Shekarau clean bill of health
· Promises to be different, if becomes governor
The Chairman, Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission of Kano State, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, has censured his boss, Governor Abduallahi Ganduje and his predecessor, Senator Rabiu Musa for diverting local governments’ funds in the state for state government’s projects.
Rimin Gado said he would toe a different line if he becomes the state governor in future.
Speaking on a popular Freedom Radio’s programme, Barka da Hantsi, the anti-corruption chief said it would take a brave politician to depart from the well-entrenched culture of diverting the local governments’ funds for state government’s projects and interventions.
He said, most of the projects and initiatives of Governor Kwankwaso’s Administration “including Nasarawa flyover and students scholarship”, were partly funded with cash belonging to the local governments in the state, adding that his successor, Ganduje had no option than to continue with the tradition in order not be seen as a non-performing successor.
“What you are trying to establish is that the deterioration of local governments’ situation in the state happened between the era of Kwankwaso and Ganduje. I can confirm this is true. His Excellency, Kwankwaso had done very well, but most of the projects he executed were partly funded with local governments’ funds…
“So when Ganduje became Governor he joined the competition. He wanted to perform as Kwankwaso, if not better. So he too joined,” he observed.
According to Rimin Gado, Kwankwaso’s predecessor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, who didn’t indulge in taking from local governments’ funds is today not seen to have performed as his two successors.
“It’s a precedent set that it will take a real bold man to come and do something about it. Honestly, I can provide excuses for the incumbent. Mostly the stories of the reality of the situation are just emerging and more will emerge,” he stressed.
Speaking further, Rimin Gado said, he is an advocate of local government autonomy and therefore would do things differently if providence makes him the governor of the state.
