Desist from diverting local govt money to Kano Emir motorcade, Kano NBA tells state govt
The Nigerian Bar Association, Kano branch, has warned Kano State government against using public funds for what does not represent “utilitarian priority that would benefit the broader population.”
Chairman of the branch, Usman Umar Fari, advised the state government in a terse statement on Tuesday to channel local government councils’ resources into “initiatives that promote development, welfare, and economic empowerment for their communities.”
The lawyers body issues the statement in reaction to news reports that the Kano State government, through the ministry for local government and chieftaincy affairs, has ordered the 44 local government councils of the state to collectives raise N670 million to buy vehicles for the Emir of Kano, MALLAM Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Read the full statement below:
The Kano branch of the Nigerian Bar Association has been made aware of recent media reports regarding an alleged memo from the Kano State Ministry for Local Government, directing the 44 Local Government Councils to contribute a total sum of ₦670,000,000 (Six Hundred Seventy Million Naira) for the purchase of 4 vehicles and refurbishment of two for the Emir of Kano.
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We wish to state that, at this critical juncture, if these reports are true, it is morally and socially inappropriate to allocate such a substantial amount of public funds for this purpose. The proposed expenditure, which amounts to over fifteen million Naira per local government, is neither necessary nor justified, especially in a period when many of our citizens are facing extreme poverty and economic hardship.
Furthermore, we believe that the purchase and refurbishment of vehicles for the Emir of Kano do not represent a utilitarian priority that would benefit the broader population of the local governments. Instead, these funds could be better directed towards essential services such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and poverty alleviation programs that directly impact the lives of our people.
In light of these concerns, we urge the government of Kano State to reconsider and shelve this proposed allocation. It is crucial for leadership to demonstrate sensitivity to the plight of the majority of Kano’s citizens and prioritize prudent, people-centered governance. The local government councils should be encouraged to channel their resources into initiatives that promote development, welfare, and economic empowerment for their communities.
We call on all stakeholders to uphold transparency, accountability, and social responsibility in governance, especially during these challenging times.
