A Civil Society Organisations for Transparency and Accountability (CSOTA) has alleged plot by the Kano State Government to discredit the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Barau Jibrin.
The group while condemning the latest development, warned that if the Kano state Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who they accused of sponsoring the campaign do not desist from the plot, he would be exposed.
Taking a protest to the National Assembly on Friday in Abuja, spokesperson for the group, Comrade Sunday Attah, called on the EFCC, ICPC and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to put their surveillance on Governor Ganduje, alleging that “credible information available to us show that he’s planning to go on exile before the expiration of his tenure as Governor of Kano state.
“Nigeria can only move forward and achieve it’s full potentials when people like Ganduje, who betrayed the trust reposed in them are made to face justice, while credible individuals like Senator Barau Jibrin are applauded and commended for their service to the nation.”
While passing a vote of confidence on the Senator, the protesters said: “It’s on record that Senator Barau Jibrin alongside his colleagues worked hard to deliver the vision of President Muhammady Buhan agenda of returning the nation budgetary system to January/December budget cycle. Nigerians are happy with this great feat achieved by these credible Nigerians, which has no doubt brought transparency and accountability in our budget system.
“We make bold to say that, under the distinguished leadership of Senator Barau Jibrin the padding of budgets has become a thing of the past and transparency, openness and accountability is the order of the day.
“It’s on this note that we wish to pass a vote of confidence on the leadership of Senator Barau Jibrin. And we urge him to stay focused and continue to do his good work for the betterment of the country and shouldn’t allow himself to be intimidated by hired urchins and political detractors.”
Reacting to a group of protesters earlier who accused the Senator of budget padding, the CSOs spokesman said: “Yesterday, some miscreants, hired and sponsored by the Kano State Government hiding under a pseudo group gathered here to throw jibes and insults against Senator Barau Jibrin.
What they failed to understand is that they are being used by a highly corrupt Governor whose dollar stuffing video has continued to give Nigeria bad name at the international community.
“We are here today to set the records straight and we call on Govemor Ganduje and his misguided advisers to desist from their evil machinations and come to terms with the reality of the fact that Senator Barau Jibrin towering political achievements cannot be dwarfed or subjugated in the eyes of his constituents and the Nigerian public.
“Its regrettable that Governor Ganduje who should be hiding his face in shame allowed himself to be hoodwinked by political opportunists who would no doubt abandoned him after he lose his temporary immunity. Gandujé popularly known as Gandollar has in our nation today symbolizes sleaze, pillage and plunder of public funds and its very womsome to us in the Civil Society to see this corrupt Governo/ launching Campaign of calumny against courageous individuals who are working tirelessly to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Kano state.”