The Kano State Government has dismissed reports alleging that N6.5bn was withdrawn and diverted from the state treasury, describing the claims as politically motivated blackmail targeted at key officials of the administration.
The rebuttal followed a report published on August 22 by a Kano-based online platform, which linked the Director-General of Protocol, Government House, Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, to alleged financial impropriety already before the High Court.
In a statement on Monday, the Director-General, Media and Publicity to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Sanusi Bature DawakinTofa, said the government “would not allow the integrity of its aides to be sacrificed on the altar of political propaganda.”
He explained that every cash outflow in Ministries, Departments and Agencies was properly budgeted and coded, stressing that the Directorate of Protocol, like its counterparts in other states, handled logistics, accommodation, welfare, and the Governor’s official itineraries within and outside the country.
“Over 95 per cent of the responsibilities of the Directorate involve large volumes of financial transactions, used to settle state obligations incurred at the instance of His Excellency. It is not an independent spending office and does not undertake financial transactions outside approved budgetary provisions,” the statement read.
The government accused unnamed opposition elements of sponsoring the reports to discredit the NNPP-led administration ahead of the 2027 elections.
“To set the records straight, the immediate past administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje spent over ₦20bn through the same Protocol Directorate in just three months—February to May 2023—after losing the election. The people of Kano have not forgotten the dollar video scandal and the reckless land grabs under that government,” the statement added.
Bature said the administration of Yusuf remained committed to financial prudence, accountability and transparency, insisting that its officials had nothing to hide and were ready to provide clarifications to relevant authorities whenever necessary.
He urged the public to disregard what he described as “fabricated allegations,” warning that while the government welcomed constructive criticism, it would not hesitate to seek legal redress against those bent on tarnishing its image.
