The recent N6.5 billion scandal involving the Director General of protocol, Abdullahi Rogo, under the Kano state governor, Abba Yusuf, has turned dramatic in a few days.
The League of Civil Society Organisations in Kano has alleged that its members are being intimidated over its calls for the state government to prosecute the official involved in the N6.5 billion scandal.
This is contained in a statement issued by the 20-member group in the state on Monday, alleging disturbing threats, intimidation and harassment.
The group, which includes Comrade Bala Abdullahi of Wuro Development Concerns (WDCN), Yushau Sani Yankuzo of Centre For Human Rights and Social Development (CEFSAN), Muhammad Bello of African Centre For Innovative Research and Development (Afri-CIRD) and Adeniyi Aremu of Civil Society Organisation for Conflict Resolution (CS-CRIN), among others, cried out that they are under threat for seeking accountability as two of its members were coerced into making public statements denouncing the group.
“Regrettably, since the release of that statement, some of our members have come under intense pressure, harassment, and outright threats from influential individuals and vested interests determined to silence our collective voice. In fact, two members of our coalition, after sustained intimidation of their families and relatives, were coerced into issuing disclaimers and withdrawing their earlier stance. This worrisome development indicates an orchestrated attempt to weaken civil society’s role as watchdogs of democracy and accountability in Kano State.
“Even more troubling are credible reports that certain powerful individuals, dissatisfied with our principled position, are now manufacturing sinister measures to clamp down on us. These measures include the use of state apparatus to intimidate our organisations, aimed at distracting and silencing the leading voices in our coalition,” the group claims.
On its side, the Kano state government, through the office of the Director General, Media and Publicity, Sanusi Bature, showered blame on the former governor Abdullahi Ganduje when it broke its silence days after the issue went viral on the internet.
The state government described the matter as a blackmail by the opposition to bring down the administration of Governor Yusuf.
Despite claims by the federal anti-graft agencies and the case before the Federal High Court that it has evidence of financial misconduct by the Kano government official, the state government also declared that the officer involved, Abdullahi Rogo, has undoubted credibility.
“While the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf will remain focused on governance, and maintain its position on financial prudence, accountability, transparency and zero tolerance for corruption, the government will not sacrifice the integrity of its aides to deliberate acts of political blackmail being orchestrated by unpatriotic elements of society.
Further, the state government, while claiming it is aware of the activities of a particular opposition group working to pull the state administration down, also revealed that former governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s protocol directorate spent N20 billion from the state treasury in just three months between February and May 2023 after his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), lost the election.
“While the government will allow them to continue running after shadows, we wish to also reawaken the consciousness of the public to how the immediate past Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, through the Protocol Directorate, spent over N20 billion from the state treasury in just three months between February and May 2023 after his party, the APC, lost woefully to the NNPP.
“The previous administration recklessly governed Kano for eight corruption-driven years, with traces of multiple accounts operated by the former First Lady and purchases of houses in Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
“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.
“Under the previous administration, land grabbing became a norm and taking over public assets became a hobby for the first family and their associates.
“The government is aware that the opposition group in Kano has set up an office solely for writing petitions against officials of the present administration just to distract the leadership from fulfilling its campaign promises in an attempt to scandalise key officials and weaken their support for the governor in building a prosperous Kano”, Kano state government declares.
Responding to these claims, Muhammad Garba, an aide to former governor Ganduje, called on the state government to desist from using Ganduje’s name to cover their misdeeds.
This is contained in a statement he signed and issued to newsmen in Kano on Monday, dismissing all the alleged financial misappropriation, corruption and misconduct allegations against Ganduje as false.
“I feel compelled to address recent claims by the Kano State Government that seek to link former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to alleged financial misappropriation, corruption, and misconduct. These assertions, specifically regarding the supposed overspending through the Protocol Directorate and claims of land grabbing, are politically motivated, misleading, and untrue.
“Governor Ganduje completed his tenure with integrity, diligence, and a steadfast commitment to the people of Kano State. Throughout his administration, he prioritised governance, development, and the welfare of citizens, ensuring that all state resources were managed responsibly, transparently, and within established legal and procedural frameworks,” part of the statement reads.
The statement further explained that all the claimed misappropriation of funds by Ganduje’s protocol directorate when he was governor were coordinated through the office administratively according to law and strictly within the scope of state-approved budgets. “Any attempt to suggest otherwise distorts the facts and misrepresents the nature of state governance under his administration,” he stated.
“References to alleged scandals are false and politically charged. Governor Ganduje’s service record shows decades of dedication to Kano State, and using such narratives to attack his legacy is an act of misinformation designed to mislead the public and distract from genuine governance issues.
“During his tenure, Governor Ganduje maintained policies and systems to protect public assets and ensure proper land administration. Assertions that land grabbing or asset misappropriation were regular practices under his leadership are entirely inaccurate. These claims unfairly tarnish the reputation of a leader whose administration was committed to the lawful and transparent management of state resources.
“Governor Ganduje’s legacy is defined by transparency, accountability, and public service. He served the people of Kano State faithfully, leaving behind programs, policies, and structures that continue to benefit citizens. Any attempt to associate him with contemporary misconduct or misdeeds of the current administration is baseless and politically motivated.
“Therefore, the public, media, and political actors must refrain from using Governor Ganduje’s name for political attacks, propaganda, or misinformation. If there are genuine concerns or allegations against any government, proper legal and institutional channels exist to investigate them responsibly. Dragging the name of a former leader into these narratives is both unjust and misleading,” he added.
It may be recalled that media reports recently claimed that the Director General of Protocol, Abdullahi Rogo, had allegedly returned N1,109,230,000 to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recovery account.
The anti-graft agencies were alleged to have discovered Rogo operating an account (0505572562) with Alternative Bank under the name A.H. Bello Business Solutions Limited, which recorded inflows of N3.06 billion and outflows of N2.59 billion between August 2024 and February 2025.
He was also accused of using a personal Zenith Bank account (1003666925), which recorded N2.28 billion inflow and N2.26 billion outflow between January 2022 and January 2025, leaving a balance of N39.3 million.
