The newly sworn-in Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, has expressed his dismay at the enormous debt profile left by his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje. In his inaugural speech, Yusuf vowed to launch an investigation into how the massive debt accumulated when he settles down for business. According to reports, Ganduje was absent at the handover ceremony. Usman Alhaji, who represented the ex-governor, disclosed that his administration collected a N1.2tn loan in the last eight years, leaving behind a N241bn debt, comprising loans, contractual obligations, among others.
“We will carefully study the reports and come out with our position on the debt and other matters. I am surprised that the outgoing governor is not around to hand over to me as a democratically elected governor, which has been the tradition. However, we will carefully study the reports and come out with our positions,” Yusuf said.
The new governor called on the people of the state to pray for the success of his administration to ensure the government meets the expectations of the governed through good democratic governance.
The reports that the probe will involve studying the different strands of the debt, including how much of it is owed to contractors and how much is retained in the state’s creditor banks. Yusuf’s pledge to probe the debt profile is a bold statement of his agenda to ensure transparency and accountability. He has vowed to take action if he discovers mismanagement of public funds by the previous administration.
Kano State, located in Northern Nigeria, is the most populous state in the country, taking up about 20% of the nation’s total population. Hence, the state’s finances have a significant impact on the country’s economic growth and progress. Yusuf’s investigation into the shadowy debt profile of the past administration will go a long way in setting a precedent for future administrations, especially in the area of responsible governance.
It is important that the people of Kano state give the new administration the benefit of the doubt and support the governor in this pursuit, which is expected to yield a better and more prosperous future for the great people of Kano.
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