Kano Govt Confirms Corruption Cases Against Ganduje Despite Yusuf’s Defection To APC
The Kano State Government has insisted that corruption allegations against former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje remain active and unresolved, even as Governor Abba Yusuf recently realigned politically with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, stated this during a live interview on Arise News, while addressing questions about the apparent contradiction between Yusuf’s past attacks on Ganduje and his current political posture.
Ganduje had faced serious corruption prosecutions under Yusuf’s administration.
However, the governor’s recent alignment with Ganduje, a former APC National Chairman, and other top APC figures in the state has raised questions over the credibility of the ongoing litigation.
Asked if the government had dropped any of the cases against Ganduje, Waiya said, “Everything, all allegations, the government has not in any way withdrawn any allegations. Any corruption allegation is still there and it is before the judicial process. The government does not intend in any way to interfere in the process. We are not trying to give anybody a special cover. That is why His Excellency does not interfere in the judicial process. So that is still going on there. Nobody stopped that and nobody will stop that. That is left with the judicial process.”
Yusuf, while in opposition, had repeatedly accused Ganduje of corruption and misgovernance, making it a central theme of his campaigns.
But recent public appearances showing Yusuf alongside Ganduje, including moments where the former governor was seen raising Yusuf’s hand, have sparked controversy and accusations of political betrayal.
On the optics of these scenes, Waiya defended the development, saying, “In Kano here, we are talking about the new Kano. The new Kano is evolving. We are not trying to bring everybody on board; we are trying to unite, forge ahead, and focus on the development and progress of the state. We are setting a foundation for reconciliation and forgiveness.”
When pressed on whether reconciliation can exist without justice, Waiya emphasised the presumption of innocence under Nigerian law.
“As far as the Nigerian legal system is concerned, you may be accused of many corruption allegations, but the most important thing is being pronounced guilty by a court of law. No court of law has ever pronounced him guilty of such charges. We have left that with the judicial process. The cases are still ongoing, not only his but also those of many others whose cases continue in the country.”
The interviewer also questioned whether Yusuf’s APC alignment was politically motivated to deliver Kano’s large voter base to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general election, given the party’s struggles with trust, insecurity, and economic hardship in the north.
Waiya acknowledged the challenges but denied that Yusuf’s political move was driven by 2027 ambitions. “These are issues we have all been struggling with. It is not only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s concern; it is the responsibility of every citizen. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring our country progresses and in addressing these problems.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
