The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Gombe State Chapter, has expressed dissatisfaction to the state government over the N315 million and four plots of land allegedly approved for a singer from Kano State, describing the move as “Misplaced priorities” amid rising education and welfare challenges.
In a press release signed by the Publicity Secretary, Abdulkadir Ahmad Dukku, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Saturday, the PDP said it received “Very credible information” that the Gombe State Government approved N115 million for the purchase of a Toyota Coaster bus and an additional cash grant of N200 million for the Kano-based singer.
According to the party, the total value of the government’s support amounted to N315 million.
“At a time when Gombe State is grappling with 787,619 out-of-school children, this level of expenditure raises serious questions about the government’s priorities,” the PDP stated.
According to the party, the N315 million could have been used to return up to 50,000 out-of-school children through targeted education interventions.
It added that the funds could also have been directed to healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, youth empowerment, and other essential services that would benefit thousands of citizens.
The PDP further alleged that the government allocated four plots of land in the Shehu Abubakar District Layout to the same beneficiary.
The party said the allocation was of particular concern because the same layout was recently affected by a government revocation exercise, during which many existing landowners had their allocations reduced by half without compensation.
“The PDP believes that the people of Gombe State deserve a clear explanation regarding these decisions,” the statement read.
In the interest of fairness, transparency, and accountability, the party called on the Gombe State Government to justify its action and provide the basis upon which the public resources and assets were allocated.
“The Peoples’ Democratic Party, Gombe State, remains committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and the prudent management of public resources in the best interest of all the people of Gombe State,” Dukku said.
As of press time, the Gombe State Government had not responded to the allegations.