Kwankwaso to Jonathan: Don’t judge me by your standard

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso of Kano state has described asimaginary and baseless the claim made by President Goodluck Jonathanthat the state government cannot account for the money received fromthe Federation Account as all moneys collected by the state governmentwas judiciously spent as every single kobo spent was properlyrecorded.

He stated this while meeting with APC stakeholders at Government Houseon Friday, pointing out that the President was only trying to judge everybody by his own standard.

The governor maintained that people of the state are satisfied withthe way the money is being spent on life-changing projects that willstand the test of time, adding that the projects embarked upon by thegovernment are genuine, extensive and verifiable.

Gov Kwankwaso said he has been looking for people who stealgovernment’s money to punish and set example as his government has notand will never tolerate or encourage corruption.

“I challenge anyone, including the President, if he finds anybody who siphoned local or state government’s money to report to me and see what action my administration would take against the offender,” thegovernor said, pointing out that, as the governor of Kano state, he isnot under the President, but under the people of Kano state, who votedhim into office; therefore, according to him, they are the ones that”have the right to query me, not President Goodluck, who is known to punish whistleblowers like our respected son, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.”

He further pointed out that “in Kano, we welcome whistleblowers and commend them for joining hands with government to fight corruption.”

Earlier, the state APC interim chairman, Engr. Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo, who is also a former deputy governor of the state, saidthat the APC’s wards and local government elections were conducted inpeaceful manner.

In their respective remarks, Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya and the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Kawu Sumaila appealed to party members to embrace unity as the only option for the rapid progress of the party in the state and the nation as a whole.