The governor-elect of Kano State, Mr. Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has cautioned banks in the state against granting fresh loans to the outgoing governor, Mr. Abdullahi Ganduje of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a fresh advisory to financial institutions in the state entitled ‘public debt suspension advisory’ Yusuf said his administration would not honour any domestic or international loan issued to the state government, effective from March 18 to May 29, 2023.
“Effective from March 18 to May 29, no lender (domestic or international) shall approve and issue any loan facility to Kano State Government without the express consent of the incoming administration.
“Any such loan facility approved and issued to the Kano State Government between the date of election and the date of swearing-in without explicit knowledge and consent of the incoming administration will not be honoured by the new administration.
“All subsisting lenders to the Kano State Government shall take notice that all terms and conditions for all existing loan facilities shall be renegotiated by the new administration guided by the utilisation audit/review of each loan facility,” Yusuf said in the statement signed by his spokesman, Mr. Sanusi Bature.
Prior to the latest debt advisory, the governor-elect had advised immediate suspension of all ongoing construction works on public places already sold by Ganduje’s administration.
Of particular concern, were portions of land carved out of graveyards, public schools, mosque premises, healthcare centres, court premises and government reserved areas.
However, Ganduje reacted saying Yusuf’s victory was only temporary.
He said the two consecutive public advisories were baseless, dwelling particularly on public property and loan facility.
“It is a practical indication and symbol that their leadership has no sense of direction. And I can assure you that all the public advisories issued are baseless.
“He’s even talking and giving directives as if he’s a governor. I think he should know and clearly understand that he’s not yet Governor of Kano State.
“Although we pray for someone who will govern Kano with a sense of direction but what we are witnessing is so unfortunate.
“But they should know that we are prepared to take what I can consider as temporary success before the tribunal. And you can judge from their statements that they are starting on a very wrong footing,” Ganduje said.
