My Deputy Resigned for Fear of Impeachment, Says Governor Ganduje

Kano State Government has reacted to last Sunday’s resignation of the state Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, insisting that the embattled politician left his office for fear of being impeached by the state House of Assembly.

A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, and made available to reporters on Monday, also stated that the state government did not at any time withhold Prof. Hafiz entitlement as he was given free hand to manage his office and that of Ministry of Education who h he also headed.

The statement noted that based on available records, in 2017 alone, the sum of over N120, 000, 000.00 was paid to the former Deputy Governor as traveling allowance both within and outside the country, while in 2018, over N30, 000, 000.00 million was paid to him for various traveling allowances.

It further stated that in July this year, the sum of N7, 409, 575.00 was released to the former Deputy Governor to travel to the United Kingdom to receive an Honourary Degree from the University of Reading.

“The sum of N7, 800, 000.00 was also said to have been paid the deputy governor, who doubles as Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation as his travelling allowance to Khartoum, Sudan for the convocation ceremony of the University of Africa.

“Also, for a trip to the United Kingdom for the World Education Forum, the sum of N8, 509, 000.00 was paid to him; while his trip to Saudi Arabia for his daughters’ graduation was also sponsored by the state government, among other privileges extended to him.

The state government also challenged the former deputy governor on allegations that the state government has committed resources to sponsor rally in support of his removal from office, pointing out that the  gravity of the allegation may prompt the government to take appropriate action.

‘’The former deputy governor ought to have landed safely and quietly instead of making unsubstantiated allegations just to draw attention,” the statement noted.

The statement further stated that “for fear of ominous impeachment process by the Kano state House of Assembly, Prof. Abubakar, has hurriedly tendered his resignation, following the decision by 30 out of the 40 legislators to commence impeachment proceeding against him over false, unfounded allegations and undermining the state government.”

The deputy governor was also accused of making unguarded comments capable of causing disaffection particularly in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the state in general.

The government also debunked allegation over threat to his life and that of members of his immediate family which it regarded as unbecoming considering his position as number two citizen with a provision for statutory security detail.