Kano Government Denies New $6.6M Loan Allegation, Challenges Critics to Provide Evidence
The Kano State Government has dismissed allegations that it contracted a new $6.6 million external loan under the current administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The rebuttal follows a report published by Daily Nigerian on June 11, 2025, citing a claim by the APC Patriotic Volunteers, a political group, which accused the state of securing the loan within two years of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)-led government.
In a press statement signed by Dr. Hamisu Sadi Ali, Director General of the Kano State Public Debt Management Office (PDMO), the state described the allegations as “malicious, baseless, and politically motivated.” The statement particularly criticized the leader of the APC group, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, who served as Secretary to the State Government during the previous APC administration under Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
“It is surprising and dismaying that someone who was part of the administration that enacted the Public Debt Management Office Law in 2021 would demonstrate such ignorance or deliberate misinformation,” the statement read.
The PDMO cited Section 4(b) of the law, which mandates the office to oversee all government borrowing, stating that “no loan can be contracted without the knowledge and involvement of the Debt Management Office.”
Dr. Sadi Ali emphasized that the NNPP administration has not signed or contracted any new external or domestic loans since taking office. Instead, he said the government is still working to service what he described as “excessive debts” inherited from the previous APC administration.
Challenging the APC Patriotic Volunteers to back their claims with evidence, the Debt Management Office called for the release of standard documentation for any alleged loan agreement, including the creditor’s name, loan agreement, purpose, terms, and negotiation records.
“People are now wise enough to differentiate between truth and politically motivated propaganda,” Dr. Sadi Ali stated, adding that the Yusuf administration remains focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to Kano citizens.
The statement urged the public to disregard what it labeled a smear campaign driven by political interests rather than facts.
