The All Progressives Congress (APC) Patriotic Volunteers, led by former Secretary to the Kano State Government Usman Alhaji Usman, has raised serious concerns regarding the transparency of external loans and ecological funds secured by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's administration.
The group specifically questioned the utilization of a $6.6 million loan obtained between June and December 2023, alongside N5.1 billion in ecological grants, alleging mismanagement and lack of accountability.
Multiple Allegations Against NNPP Administration
During a press conference in Kano, Usman described the two-year administration of the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) as a "total failure," citing incompetence and disregard for the rule of law despite substantial revenue from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and other grants.
"There is virtually little to show when compared with the billions of naira accruing to the state," Usman stated.
The APC group accused the government of mishandling the water crisis, spending over N1.6 billion on fuel and utilities in three months while failing to pay Water Board staff the N70,000 minimum wage. They also alleged that the administration sabotaged the Independent Power Project (IPP) initiated by the previous government by redirecting it to the Kwankwasiyya Housing Estate.
Governance and Legal Concerns
The group condemned the government's controversial demolition exercises, claiming they defied court orders and resulted in significant losses, particularly citing the K/Mata Eid Ground and Daula Hotel cases. They further accused the administration of ignoring court rulings on the Emirate Council and Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) matters.
On local government autonomy, the group alleged that councils remained under unconstitutional control of the state government, citing the alleged coercion of LGAs to fund traditional institutions.
Education and Media Freedom Allegations
Despite declaring a state of emergency and allocating 31 percent of the 2025 budget to education, the APC group claimed schools remain overcrowded, understaffed, and ill-equipped, especially in rural areas.
The group also criticized what they termed as suppression of dissent, citing the banning of live political radio programmes and barring media houses from covering government functions. They commended the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for resisting this policy.
According to Usman, the government has failed to act on several committee reports, including those on local government drug procurement, the Sallah Day killings, the Kano megacity initiative, and the Rimin Zakara crisis.
The group also alleged the administration lacked legitimacy, referencing claims by unnamed National Assembly members of a political compromise that traded away APC's 2023 electoral victory in Kano.
As of press time, the Kano State Government had not responded to these allegations.
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