I’ll Not Pay Back Your Loans, Governor-elect Tells Ganduje

The Kano State Governor-elect, Abba Kabir Yusuf has issued fresh advisory to financial institutions in the state, insisting his government will not pay back any loan granted Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration.

In a statement signed by the spokesperson to the Governor-elect, Sanusi Bature, he said the incoming administration would not honour any domestic or international loan issued to the state government, effective from March 18 to May 29, 2023.

Tagged: “Public Debt Suspension Advisory,” Yusuf cautioned all subsisting and prospective lenders to the Kano State Government to be mindful of any issuance of facility without due consultation with the incoming administration.

“Effective from March 18 to May 29, no lender (domestic or international) shall approve and issue any loan facility to Kano State Government without the express consent of the incoming administration.

“Any such loan facility approved and issued to the Kano State Government between the date of election and the date of swearing-in without explicit knowledge and consent of the incoming administration will not be honoured by the new administration.

“All subsisting lenders to the Kano State Government shall take notice that all terms and conditions for all existing loan facilities shall be renegotiated by the new administration guided by the utilisation audit/review of each loan facility,” Yusuf warned.

Before the latest debt advisory, the Governor-elect had advised immediate suspension of all ongoing construction works on public places already sold by Ganduje’s administration.

Of particular concern, were portions of land carved out of graveyards, public schools, mosque premises, healthcare centres, court premises and government reserve areas.

But in a swift reaction, Ganduje said the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) governorship victory is ‘temporary success’ that would be tested at the tribunal.

The Governor declared as baseless the two consecutive public advisories issued by the Governor-elect dwelling particularly on public property and loan facility.

Ganduje disclosed this while speaking with journalists shortly after a special prayer session organised by the state government for president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his 71st birthday at the government house.

Ganduje believed that judging by the recent declaration of the Governor-elect, the incoming administration has “no sense of direction,” to lead the state well.

“It is a practical indication and symbol that their leadership has no sense of direction. And I can assure you that all the public advisories issued are baseless.

“He’s even talking and giving directives as if he’s a governor. I think he should know and clearly understand that he’s not yet Governor of Kano State. Although we pray for someone who will govern Kano with a sense of direction but what we are witnessing is so unfortunate.

“But they should know that we are prepared to take what I can consider as temporary success before the tribunal. And you can judge from their statements that they are starting on a very wrong footing,” Ganduje insisted.