Don’t cause needless confusion in Kano, Ganduje advises Governor-elect

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State yesterday cautioned the Governor-elect, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to desist from causing needless confusion in the state, reminding him that he (Ganduje) still remain the presiding and chief executive officer of the state until May 29, this year.

The governor spoke against the backdrop of an advisory issued by Yusuf, warning individuals, groups and organisations undertaking construction works on public places in the state to keep off.

“You are advised to discontinue any construction work on public land within and around the following: All schools in the state, all religious and cultural sites in the state, all hospitals in the state, all graveyards in the state and along the city walls of Kano.

“You are also advised to discontinue the demolition of, and the construction on all existing public buildings belonging to the government and people of Kano State. This advisory is issued in the public interest, effective from Thursday, 30th March, 2023 till further notice,” Yusuf said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanusi Bature. 

However, in a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Malam Muhammad Garba, said the action of the governor-elect amounted to jumping the gun. He said by issuing directive on a matter affecting laid down policy of the government while the incumbent is yet to run his full term was not necessary.

The commissioner noted that Ganduje wields enormous powers to allocate plots, adding that every government had undertaken such exercise including the previous administration, which the governor-elect had served.

Garba also stated that as far as the division of power is concerned as enshrined in the constitution, Ganduje remains the governor with executive powers until May 29 and reserves the right to carry out his functions in public interest even on the eve of his exit.

“Until he subscribes to the oath of office as governor in May 29, he remains what he is – a governor-elect – and does not have the powers of the governor. All he can do is to reverse some of the actions taken by his predecessor when he assumes office if there is a valid reason to do so.

“No governor-elect has the constitutional or legal powers to determine the direction of a state until he is sworn in,” the statement added.