I’ve ensured even distribution of appointments – Buhari
Kano State Governor Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, yesterday sent the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, to testify on his behalf before the committee set up by the state House of Assembly on the allegation of collecting bribes from contractors.
The commissioner said the governor denied the allegations by an online newspaper, saying the video clips released by the medium were aimed at tarnishing his image.
The commissioner read a letter sent to the committee from the governor before he presented it to the chairman.
He said, “The governor of Kano state, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has categorically denied the allegation of collecting bribe from contractors as alleged by the publisher of Daily Nigeria. That His Excellency the governor of Kano State did not collect, has not collected and will never collect bribe from anybody whosoever and for whatever purposes.”
Chairman of the committee, Hon Baffa Babba Danagundi, said the committee would review the video clips on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in secret. He added that both the governor and publisher of would be represented by their lawyers during the review. President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said his administration had ensured even distribution of political appointments to reflect diverse interests across the country, regardless of the voting pattern in the 2015 presidential election.
Receiving a delegation of Bassa traditional rulers and the elite led by Alhaji Bako Ebiredelu Dogwo at the Presidential Villa, the president said the Nigerian constitution clearly maps out the need for representation in every government, and he had adhered strictly to the tenets of the law.
He noted that the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Science and Technology, Labour and Employment and Industry, Trade and Investment emerged from states where he did not get much votes in 2015, but they were given strong portfolios in the cabinet based on their competence.
“As humanly possible, I have tried to be fair to all. And I am very pleased that in spite of the complaints of technical marginalisation, you have agreed to vote for me in 2019,’’ he said.
The president assured the delegation that he would look into the issue of poor representation of the Bassa people in government.
The leader of the delegation said Bassa people had consistently voted for the president over the years, and would do it again in 2019.
“You are a great asset to Nigeria. The Bassa nation will use all the resources available to us to ensure you are re-elected in 2019,’’ he said.
He said the president’s effort at securing the country was commendable, urging him to also sustain the anticorruption war.
“He, however, urged the president to reciprocate the love and affection of the Bassa people who are spread across Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Niger states and FCT, by ensuring that they get fair representation in government.