May 29: Kano NNPP transition committee accuses Ganduje of sabotaging handover

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The Gubernatorial Transition Committee of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano state has accused the outgoing governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of sabotaging the transition process in the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Kano on Friday, Chairman of the committee, Abdullahi Baffa Bichi lamented that Ganduje is frustrating all efforts for smooth transition of power to the governor-elect, Abba Yusuf of the NNPP.

According to him, in a bid to undermine the transition process, Ganduje had refused to inaugurate the 17-member Handover Committee he set up about four weeks ago.

Bichi added that to their surprise, the APC handover committee had requested the NNPP to provide three members to represent the party in the the committee constituted by Mr Ganduje, which according to him, the incoming party had refused to accept the request.

The former Senatorial candidate lamented that the NNPP would not as an incoming government, accept to be part of a handover committee with less than 20 percent representation, while the out going government dominates the committee with over 80 percent representation.

“We were made to understand that the thinking of the outgoing government is that there should be a joint transition committee in which the outgoing government should have 80% of the membership while the incoming government should have 20%.

“Perhaps that is why they are proposing a committee in which they have 82% of the members

(14 members) and asking us to nominate only 18% (three members).

“For us, the composition and membership are not the issues, the main issue of contention is the principle –we do not belong to the same political party, we do not share the same ideals and values –why should we do a joint transition committee?

“We went in person and enquired from the government why are they not replying our letter and acceding to our request for a joint meeting?” He stated.

He explained further that the APC ‘s handover committee should rather be inaugurated to work with the transition committee set up by the NNPP and not otherwise.

He therefore called on Ganduje to be magnanimous and stop sabotaging the transition process.

Bichi however disclosed that the NNPP transition committee hae fixed a date to meet with the serving Permanent Secretaries of the state government to get the information, in the event Ganduje refuse to do the needful.

“In the meantime, as part of our measures to save time and side-step the road blocks and landmines that governor Ganduje is putting all over in order to sabotage and undermine the transfer of power, we wish to announce the following measures that GTC is taking, effective from Monday

May 01, 2023.

“Interaction with All Permanent Secretaries given the outright refusal of governor Ganduje to inaugurate his transition committee and their inability to meet with our committee to agree on modalities for the transition process, we are compelled by circumstances to, on behalf of the incoming administration of His Excellency Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf to invite all Permanent Secretaries in the civil service to attend an interaction with the GTC.

“The interaction is slated for Tuesday May 02, 2023 by 10am at the GTC Secretariat.

“Interaction with Chief Executives of Agencies and

Parastatals. After the interaction with PermSecs, Subcommittees will commence the interaction with chief executives and heads of agencies and parastatals.

“Date, time and venue will be conveyed to all agencies and parastatals.

“Interaction with Directors of Personnel Management (DPM). We would also sought for some clarifications from the DPMs of all the 44 Local Government Councils. Date,time and venue will be conveyed to all DPMs” he declared.

He finally called on Ganduje to remember that God gives power to whom He wishes and is the one that has given power to Mr Yusuf and should not challenge the will of God.