Governor Yusuf Diverting Attention From Governance — Barau, Ganduje

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin and former Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, have criticised Governor Abba Yusuf on what they described as poor handling of security and diversion of attention from critical governance issues.

Following the 34th state executive council meeting on Thursday, the Kano State government alleged that Senator Barau made statements capable of undermining ongoing security operations. But Barau, in a statement signed by his media aide, Ismail Mudashir, dismissed the claims as false, reckless and malicious, describing them as a desperate attempt to tarnish his image.

He challenged the government to produce any clip where he made such remarks, saying he had consistently supported security agencies in the fight against bandit activities across the state.

“It is unfortunate that the state government has relegated governance to concocting lies. There was no time Senator Barau made any statement capable of undermining security efforts,” the statement read.

Barau listed several interventions he had facilitated, including providing operational vehicles for police formations, motorcycles for personnel, renovations of police facilities and supporting the establishment of security training centres in Gwarzo, Kabo, and Bichi.

He urged Governor Yusuf to wake up and take responsibility, noting that Kano’s long-standing economic position was rapidly declining.

“Our beloved state used to be next to Lagos in terms of prosperity, but the governor is not taking steps in that direction,” he added.

Similarly, Ganduje dismissed the call for his arrest over alleged statements linked to militia activities.

In a statement by his chief press secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje described the call as reckless, baseless and an indication of incompetence. He accused the governor of failing to address worsening insecurity in Bagwai, Shanono, Tsanyawa and other areas.

“At a time when communities live in fear, the governor has neither visited nor shown empathy to victims,” Ganduje said.

He maintained that he had no association with violence, recalling that his administration kept Kano peaceful throughout his eight years in office.