Two members of the opposition New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Murtala Garba Doka and Shamsu Safiyanu Lambu, have been arrested in Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State following a complaint filed by the chairman of the council, Ibrahim Yakubu Addis.
The arrest was prompted by a Facebook post by Lambu in Hausa language which is translated to “Our ₦240 million in Burji, may God reward us”, alleging the local government chairman of abandoning a road construction project that had been fully approved by the state government.
Comrade Nazifi Ado Lambu, the youth leader in the area, confirmed what resulted in their arrest;
Yes, they were arrested because of the Facebook post about the road project. They were held at the divisional police station before being taken to Bompai – Nazifi Ado Lambu
The arrests occur amid growing political tension in Kano State, which is currently governed by the NNPP, although the local government chairman involved, Ibrahim Yakubu Addis, belongs to the rival party.
The specific project in question, the Lambu-Banki-Yarimawa-Jakata road, reportedly received state government approval. However, residents claim only preliminary work, like clearing and sand filling, was completed before work ceased, despite the large financial outlay claimed by the accusers. The Facebook post which was written in Hausa, insinuated financial impropriety on the part of the chairman.
Meanwhile, the chairman confirmed he initiated the arrest to force the accusers to provide evidence for their claims, stressing that he sought to protect his reputation from what he termed “baseless accusations”.
We are just demanding facts about their claims and they prove before the authorities they don’t have. I have family and relatives and above all, the people are watching, many would have believed them – Addis
He also disputed the project cost claimed by the accusers, stating the work was awarded for less than ₦100 million.
The two arrested NNPP members have been transferred to the Kano State Police Command Headquarters for further investigation.
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