The Kano State Government has strongly denied allegations that it secured a $6.6 million external loan under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's administration, describing the claims as "false, misleading and politically motivated."
The denial comes in response to a report published on June 11, 2025, in which a political group, APC Patriotic Volunteers, claimed that the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) led government had contracted the loan within two years of assuming office.
In an official statement, Dr. Hamisu Sadi Ali, Director General of the Kano State Public Debt Management Office (PDMO), dismissed the report as "malicious, unfounded, and politically motivated." The statement particularly criticized the group's leader, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, who served as Secretary to the State Governor during former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje's administration.
"It is surprising and sad that a person who was part of the administration who enacted the Public Debt Management Office Law in 2021, to exhibit such ignorance or deliberate misinformation," the statement noted.
Legal Framework for Loan Acquisition
Dr. Sadi Ali referenced Section 4(b) of the Public Debt Management Office Law, emphasizing that no loan can be undertaken by the state government without the direct involvement and knowledge of the PDMO. He clarified that since taking office, the current NNPP administration has not signed or contracted any new external or domestic loans.
Instead, according to the statement, the government has been focusing on servicing what it described as "excessive debts" inherited from the previous administration.
"The APC Patriotic Volunteers should provide verifiable evidence if they insist a loan was obtained. This includes the name of the creditor, a copy of the loan agreement, the intended purpose of the loan, terms and conditions, and records of negotiations," Dr. Sadi Ali challenged.
He added that Kano residents are well-informed and capable of distinguishing between factual information and politically motivated propaganda.
Government's Commitment
The PDMO concluded its statement by urging the public to disregard what it termed a "smear campaign driven by political interests rather than facts."
"The current administration remains committed to delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Kano and will not be distracted by politically engineered falsehoods," the statement affirmed.
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