Hunger protest: Probe govs over utilisation of federal allocation, Group urges EFCC

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A Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the 36 states governments over the utilisation of their huge monthly statutory allocations from the federal government.

CNF spokesperson, Comrade Abdulsalam Moh’d Kazeem made the call at a news conference held in Abuja on Monday.

The group is angry that the Digital Innovation Park in Kano, built to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 3 Million Technical Talent accelerator (3MTT) was set ablaze in Kano and looted during the nationwide hunger protest, urging its relocation from Kano to Kebbi State.

Kareem said: “We are saddened to admit that this so-called nationwide protest to end hunger and bad governance could have been averted as Mr. President has done everything in his power and is still doing his very best to right the wrongs of the previous administrations that have brought us to where we are now.

“What was supposed to be a peaceful protest has snowballed into a catastrophe of unprecedented dimensions.

“It is even more painful that even as efforts are being made to alleviate the pains of Nigerians, some state governors and stakeholders have refused to channel the money and other materials meant for the masses as it should be in their respective jurisdictions, therefore fuelling legitimate hunger and anger in the minds of Nigerians.

“A cursory look at what is happening across the country will reveal a glaring lack of commitment by Governors whose states have become hotbeds of this barbaric protest as their citizens have become vulnerable to the deception of the blood thirsty protest organisers.

“Contrary to what is happening in other states across the federation, Kebbi State remains a model, thanks to the dedication and commitment of the Executive Governor, Comrade Dr. Idris Nasir.

“For him to have prevailed on the youths and people of his state not to be involved in the senseless nationwide hunger means he has channeled the revenue, palliatives and other incentives meant for his people towards alleviating the hardship occasioned by the necessary difficulties occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy and other timely economic reforms of the current administration.

“Dr. Nasir Idris therefore deserves commendations for upholding the ideals of the Renewed Hope Agenda and aligning his state to take advantage of all the interventions of this current administration.

“It should be noted that, what the Executive Governor of Kebbi and a few other governors have done could have been replicated in other states as the allocation available to state governments all over the federation has doubled following the courageous removal of fuel subsidy regime by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We therefore call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to go after governors that have decided to feed fat on the huge allocations coming from the federal government rather than using them judiciously to provide succour and comfort for their citizens,” he stated.

The group also called on the federal government to consider punitive measures on states where sensitive government property and infrastructure where destroyed by relocating the affected facilities to neighbouring states with functional governors to serve as incentives for hard work and dedicated stewardship.

“For instance, the Digital Innovation Park in Kano, built to support Mr. President’s 3 Million Technical Talent accelerator (3MTT) which was set ablaze in Kano and looted in Kano should be relocated to Kebbi State.

“It will be a grave injustice for the federal government to consider rebuilding such a strategic facility in a state where the governor is working at cross purposes with the federal government and does not have the grip on his citizens.

“Kebbi State is also part of the North West and it won’t be fair if this great Comrade Governor is not rewarded for his sterling leadership and support for the policies and projects of the government at the center.

“With the youthful population, economic viability and eagerness for job creation by the governor, relocating this project in Kebbi will boost the economy of the state and increase its internally generated revenue by over ₦300 billion.

“Indeed, Kebbi State needs interventions like this more than Kano State regardless of the governor’s high impact governance.

“As one who has prioritized his people above his personal gains, Dr. Nasir Idris’ one year in office has been characterized with a transformation in the infrastructural landscape of the state.

“He has also revolutionized Education, Health Care, Agriculture, Security and other key sectors of the economy. No wonder, with his kind intervention, the people of Kebbi State felt an obligatory need to obey him and refrain from unleashing mayhem on their states as it is happening else where.

“If all state governors and other elected representatives decided to act responsibly and avoid the temptation for primitive accumulation, Nigerians would have chosen to side with the truth as against the faceless, deceptive protest organisers.

“As we pass a vote of confidence on Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to always consider patriots and progressives in the sharing and handling of sensitive national assignments.

“He is a true leader and should be rewarded for his loyalty. Kebbi State should be remembered and included in more intervention projects as the governor is sincerely working to lift his people out of poverty and suffering,” the northern group stated.

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