Finally, Kano Deputy Gov defects to PDP, faults state govt’s claims

Former Deputy Governor of Kano State,Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, on Tuesday announced his official defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the People Democratic Party (PDP), attributing his persecution by the state government to his loyalty to the former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

He also dismissed claims by the state government that he was paid over N120million as his entitlements at one point in time.

Abubakar, who was visibly angered by the claims, while speaking to reporters in reaction to the purported claims, said that “My persecution by the Ganduje’s led administration was as a result of my unflinching loyalty to my political godfather, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwamkwaso which was perceived as divided loyalty by the Governor and his group’’

According to him, all the recent claims by the spokesman of the government, Mallam Muhammad Garba, are all tissue of lies and falsehood, fabricated to dent his integrity and that of his immediate family.

He added that it was unfortunate how or why his family should be dragged into the state’s polity.

He ,however, challenged the state government to produce any document that would back its claims that he received the said amount and others as been claimed.

He pointed out that it is on record that those said amounts legitimately allocated for his office and official trips, were often not released to him as he often had to lodge in hotels with his entourage from his personal pocket, while on officials assignments..

He said, ‘’ At the beginning, some of the approvals were backed by cash while some just barely funded. But as time goes on both the ministry of education which was under my office and the office of the deputy governor began to suffer the worst of cash stiffing and starvation.

“The gimmick employed was to give approvals to almost all our requests but withhold cash release. This creates the impression that all is well and that my ministry is fully funded by showcasing approvals with no cash backing.

“ Later the cash blocked started migrating to the Deputy Governor’s office extending even into my legitimate rights as deputy governor. My DTA and that of my convoy for official trip began to suffer systematic blockaked in the same manner approvals are given with no cash backing.

‘’The allowances would accumulate before government selectively decide which to pay and which not to pay. In between, I had to source for funds elsewhere for myself and staff for most of my official trips then wait for months before reimbursement. As such, the state government is owing me over N100 million.

Meanwhile, seven lawmakers in the state as well as 10 aides to the state government have also dumped the APC and joined the PDP.