Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has firmly refuted allegations of corruption leveled against his administration and political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, by former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Baffa Bichi. Speaking to 484 elected ward councillors at the Coronation Hall of the Government House on Sunday evening, Governor Yusuf dismissed Bichi’s statements as false, malicious, and politically motivated attempts to tarnish reputations.
Governor Yusuf emphasized that his administration is rooted in transparency and accountability. “Everything we hoped for in this government, God has already done for us. We are all content, and no thief can be comfortable among us. As long as someone is a thief, they cannot stay here,” he declared.
Reacting to Bichi’s accusations that the current administration had misappropriated funds and that Senator Kwankwaso was receiving illicit payments from the state treasury, Governor Yusuf described the claims as fabrications intended to damage the image of a respected statesman. He lauded Senator Kwankwaso’s service record, calling him a “man of integrity” who served Kano and Nigeria honorably.
“We thank God that our government is clean from top to bottom. It’s a government that pays attention to every aspect of development. The funds entrusted to us have been used judiciously,” the governor stated.
Expressing disbelief, Yusuf questioned how Bichi—who had once been appointed into government and trusted with significant responsibilities—could now turn around to make “wild and irrational claims.”
He said, “I heard he claimed this administration, which is not even two years old, has stolen ten times more than the previous government under Governor Ganduje. I wonder: does this statement come from someone thinking rationally?”
Governor Yusuf also dismissed as baseless the allegation that Senator Kwankwaso demands N2 billion monthly from the state government. He argued that such claims were not only false but also undermined the integrity of a revered leader who had earned the respect and admiration of Kano citizens.
“This same individual also claimed that our leader (Jagora) demands N2 billion monthly. That kind of money, if sent to local governments, would transform communities. Jagora, a former governor, minister, senator, and two-time presidential candidate, left public office with his name intact. The people of Kano still revere him.”
Addressing Bichi’s credibility, Governor Yusuf challenged the former SSG’s sense of loyalty and values, questioning whether such behavior reflected those of a true indigene of Kano.
“You claim the governor was begging you—are you his father, or is he yours? Did you appoint him, or did he appoint you? The office you held had nothing to do with the budget. If it did, let us know. No reasonable person would accept such reckless conduct.”
In closing, the governor cautioned those aligned with Bichi to reconsider their actions, urging them to refrain from defaming respected leaders for political gain.
“We even question whether such a person is truly from Kano because a true Kano indigene would never stoop so low as to insult our leaders and spread falsehoods against them,” Yusuf concluded.
