News

Kano Deputy Gov, Ganduje Differ Over N300bn Debt

Published

2 years ago

November 4, 2023

Editor

The Kano state Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo, has disclosed that the New Nigeria Peoples Party-led administration inherited over N300 billion from the immediate past government of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje.

According to Gwarzo, Ganduje’s government left nothing but huge debt on the ground for the incumbent governor, Abba Yusuf.

He also added that the state government’s debt management office was still in the process of assessing the debt profile of the state under the former governor, who is now the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress.

This was disclosed by the deputy governor at the North-West zonal meeting of the NNPP which was held in Kaduna.

Gwarzo further noted that on Yusuf’s assumption, the governor had to tackle the issue of unpaid salaries, adding that he cleared the full salaries of the workers in the state’s workforce, as he addressed other challenges bedeviling them.

The deputy governor assured party members and supporters at the event that the NNPP would not disappoint the good people of the state.

He also highlighted the efforts of the current state government in managing available resources judiciously in the state.

He said, “Upon assuming office, Governor Abba Yusuf ordered the full payment of salaries. Prior to our administration, people’s salaries were severely deducted.

“Furthermore, due to Governor Yusuf’s compassion, starting this month, the state will be disbursing retirement gratuities, especially the death benefits to families of deceased retirees. The first beneficiaries will be those from levels one to six, as they are junior staff who have suffered the most.

“We have allocated N6 billion for this purpose. The screening process is underway, and by the end of this month, many people will receive their death benefits and gratuities. This initiative will continue, and our goal is to clear all outstanding gratuities within the next two years.

“We came into office inheriting a government that left us with nothing but debt. Initially, it was N300 billion, but now it is approaching N500 billion and we are still counting. Once we complete the assessment, we will inform Nigerians especially our fellow Kano residents about the total debt left behind.”

Reacting to the statement made by Gwarzo, Kano’s former Commissioner for Information, Mohammed Garba, stated that borrowing was not a crime.

Garba, in an interview with one of our correspondents, stated that he could not confirm if such an amount was borrowed by the previous administration.

He said, “I cannot say for a fact if we did take that but the issue of loans is normal and not a crime. So, if we took a loan of N300 billion, even if it is way more than that, as far as the money was utilised for the state, there should be no problem.

“You can see the infrastructure that they met on the ground when they got into power. All that infrastructure was put in place by our administration.

“They are also taking loans of billions now. They just got approval for some loans and that tells you that they are already in debt.

“With the way Nigeria’s economy is going, before the end of their administration, I can assure you that they’ll take loans over N1tn.”

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

11 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

11 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

11 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.