‘We will never progress with the level of corruption in this country’ Ganduje warns

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has warned that it will be difficult for Nigeria to experience meaningful development, if the level of corruption in the country isn’t addressed.

He stated this on Thursday at the inauguration of an eight-member anti-corruption strategy steering committee, whose focus is to tackle corruption in Kano state.

Ganduje, who was represented Usman Alhaji, secretary to the state government, noted that the committee was also meant to strengthen capacity for integrity and accountability.

According to NAN, the governor highlighted the efforts taken by the state to address corruption, and promised to support the committee to achieve its objectives.

“Believe me, we don’t need to say that corruption in this country is killing all of us. The truth of the matter is that we will never develop or progress with this level of corruption in this country,” Ganduje was quoted to have said.

“I want to say that this committee is one of the most important committees we will inaugurate. My reason is that this organisation has a dual role and responsibility.

“Its first role is of course public complaints. That means, people with some complaints could lodge it at the commission, get it sorted out and resolved amicably. This is not what you can call a crime.

“On the other hand, anti-corruption is of course a fight against crime, which means, the double role should not be misconstrued or lost, that is the fight against a crime.

“So, I urge the committee to bring out the strategies whereby the people of Kano state would have the benefit of hope to complain when the need arises, and get amicable settlement.

“Whether it is against the government or government officials, the complaints could be looked into and sorted out.”

The governor also noted that by strengthening the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCAC), the state is ensuring non-interference in the fight against corruption.

In his remarks, Muhyi Magaji-Rimingado, chairman of the committee who is also the chairman of the PCAC in Kano, promised that the committee will carry out its duties professionally.

Ganduje’s comment on corruption sounds contradictory to the controversy surrounding him concerning an accusation that he received kickbacks from contractors for projects awarded in the state.

In 2018, a series of secretly recorded videos had shown a figure believed to be the governor pocketing wads of dollars allegedly taken as kickbacks.

The governor had denied the videos, saying they were doctored. He had also gone to the court all in the attempt to clear his name.