By Ibrahim Bello
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi has challenged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to explain the source of wealth and assets linked to its principal figure, former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
Alhaji Adamu Mudi-Augie, the APC Acting Chairman in the state, made the challenge on Friday in Birnin Kebbi while reacting to ADC’s criticism of the finances and expenditure of Gov. Nasir Idris’ administration.
Mudi-Augie said it was ironic for a party associated with Malami to question the financial management of an administration with visible projects across the state.
He said APC was not opposed to scrutiny of government finances, but maintained that ADC’s focus on “where the money went” ignored roads, schools, hospitals, housing schemes and agricultural interventions executed by the Idris’ administration.
“Three years on, the record is there for any honest observer to inspect,” he said.
“The people of Kebbi can see where public resources have gone,” he added.
According to him, the administration has touched virtually every sector of the state within three years of assuming office in May 2023.
He listed the dualisation of the Birnin Kebbi-Ambursa Road, urban renewal projects, solar-powered street lighting and the ongoing construction of the Koko-Mahuta-Dabai Road, Argungu Old Bypass and Ahmadu Bello Way in Gwandu among the projects.
Mudi-Augie also cited the completion and furnishing of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ultra-Modern Secretariat Complex, inherited from the previous administration, as part of government achievements.
“The administration has also rehabilitated and constructed several primary and secondary schools, established mega boarding schools with focus on science and skills in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Yauri and Zuru, and procured more than one million textbooks,” he said.
The APC chairman said more than 2,000 teachers had been recruited, while the College of Nursing Sciences and other tertiary institutions received furniture, ICT support and other interventions.
He added that the government had established a new College of Midwifery Sciences in Ambursa.
On healthcare, Mudi-Augie said, about 30 General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres had been renovated or upgraded, with additional facilities constructed in previously underserved areas.
The chairman mentioned Kambaza, Suru, Kamba, Dirin-Daji, Kangiwa, Koko and Yauri among locations that had benefited from healthcare interventions.
He said thousands of health workers had been recruited, while ambulances and medical equipment were supplied to strengthen healthcare delivery.
On housing, the APC chairman said work on the 250-unit Kauran Gwandu Housing Estate in Birnin Kebbi was nearing completion, with plans for similar schemes for workers and teachers.
He also said additional federal housing units had been acquired for completion.
Mudi-Augie said the government had supported farmers with free agricultural inputs, fertilisers, seeds and water-pumping machines, including solar-powered pumps under the Kaura Agricultural Development and Growth Agenda (KADAGE).
He said the interventions had boosted irrigation and dry-season farming, while workers benefited from the new minimum wage and payment of inherited pension liabilities.
The APC chairman further stated that the administration was not indebted in salaries, pensions, gratuities and death benefits.
He said the projects were executed without borrowing, describing the development as unprecedented in the state.
Mudi-Augie, however, shifted attention to Malami, alleging that the former minister accumulated substantial wealth in public office without satisfactory explanation of its source.
He referred to a July 15, judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja ordering final forfeiture to the Federal Government of 48 properties linked to Malami, his family and associated companies.
According to him, the properties included hotels, educational facilities, residential and commercial buildings, and land in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna.
He said the forfeiture followed EFCC proceedings, adding that nine properties under interim orders were discharged, while 48 were subject to final forfeiture.
Mudi-Augie said ADC should concentrate on answering questions surrounding assets linked to its leading figure instead of portraying Kebbi Government’s expenditure as unexplained.
He challenged the opposition to focus on performance and development rather than creating a fiscal mystery around projects visible to residents.
“The records of the Kauran Gwandu administration are open to inspection. The people of Kebbi are the witnesses,” he said.
He urged residents to assess the government based on its performance and impact on daily lives.
The APC chairman said the party remained ready to defend the administration’s record and engage opponents on issues affecting state development.
(NAN)
