KANO, Nigeria (Chatnewstv.com) — Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has rejected reports that his aide diverted ₦6.5 billion from the state treasury, describing the allegations as politically motivated attempts to smear his administration.
In a statement issued late Monday by his spokesman, Sanusi Bature DawakinTofa, the governor said recent reports in the digital media space were “ill-intended narratives, most likely sponsored.”
“The allegations being peddled are nothing more than a work of fiction, carefully crafted by political opponents who have resorted to blackmail and propaganda in their desperation to remain relevant ahead of the 2027 elections,” the statement said.
The controversy stems from a report by Daily Nigerian, a Kano-based online news platform, which alleged that ₦6.5 billion was withdrawn and diverted from the state treasury, with the Director-General of the Protocol Directorate, Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, at the center of the case. The matter is already before a Kano State High Court.
Without commenting directly on the pending case, the governor’s office defended Rogo, calling him credible and insisting that the Directorate of Protocol does not independently spend public funds.
“The Office of Protocol in any government or institution is purely administrative in function. It is not an independent spending office and does not undertake any financial transactions outside established rules and approvals,” DawakinTofa said.
The government accused the opposition of orchestrating the report, pointing to the previous administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, whom it alleged “recklessly governed Kano for eight corruption-driven years” and spent over ₦20 billion through the Protocol Directorate between February and May 2023.
“People of Kano have not forgotten the dollar-video scandal featuring the former governor and immediate past acting national chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje,” the statement said.
Yusuf’s administration maintained that it has nothing to hide and will cooperate with anti-graft agencies if called upon.
“The administration is fully committed to transparency and accountability, and as such, any government official, including the Director-General of Protocol, is always ready to provide explanations whenever necessary,” DawakinTofa said.
The governor also warned opposition figures to “disengage from the deliberate spread of lies and misinformation,” adding that while lawful criticism is welcome, his government “will not hesitate to seek legal redress” against those seeking to incite the public.
The statement stressed that the case remains before a court of competent jurisdiction, and the government would not comment further until the matter is resolved.
