By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
Kano
Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the outgoing governor of Kano state on Friday admonished the Governor elect, Abba Kabir Yusuf not to jump the gun by issuing directive on a matter affecting government laid down policy while the incumbent is yet to run his full term.
A statement by Malam Muhammad Garba, the
Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs that was made available to Verity News explained that “as far as the division of power is concerned as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Abdullahi Umar 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.”
Malam Garba also stated that “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.
Garba stressed that “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 commissioner noted that state governors wielded enormous powers to allocate plots and therefore every government has undertaken such exercise including the previous administration which the governor-elect had served.
He also stated that based on available records, the previous administration has made land allocation in some of the public places the governor-elect categorically mentioned which include the city wall, with allocation of land from Kofar Nassarawa to Kofar Mata; shops at the Kofar Mata Eid Prayer Ground facing the Orion Cinema and from Kofar Mata to ‘Yan yashi opposite the Eid Ground and from Kofar Kabuga to Kofar Famfo facing the old Campus of Bayero University.”
Malam Garba explained that the advisory issued by the governor-elect has generated a lot of tension in the state and advised him to desist from such in order to avoid causing confusion.
He also called on individuals and organisations who acquired land after following due process and procedures not to be threatened by the directive.