The Kano State government on Tuesday, January 20, revealed details of the meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Governor Abba Yusuf.
The state government, in a statement signed by Sunusi Tofa, the Director General of Media and Publicity for the Kano State Government House, said the governor, during the visit, presented priorities of his administration centred on security, infrastructure and a stronger partnership with the Federal Government to President Tinubu.
Recall that Yusuf was at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja, on Monday, January 19, for a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu.
Dressed in his signature white babaringa and popular Kwankwasiyya red and white stripe cap, Yusuf’s visit sparked a long-standing rumour of his possible defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
While several analysts claimed Yusuf’s visit was aimed at finalising his move to the APC, Tofa said the meeting was used as an opportunity for him to formally brief President Tinubu on the pressing challenges and opportunities for Kano State, particularly the worsening insecurity in some local government areas.
According to Tofa, the governor also informed the president about the recent tragic killing of a housewife and her children by her nephew, Umar Auwalu.
Yusuf also emphasised the need for decisive Federal Government support to strengthen security operations and protect innocent citizens.
He also highlighted the role of the Kano State Neighbourhood Watch Corps in complementing security agencies and called for deeper collaboration with federal security institutions.
“Governor Yusuf also discussed Kano’s development agenda, with special focus on mega infrastructure projects. He used the opportunity to thank the President for federal intervention on the Wujuwuju Road, describing it as a critical step to unlocking economic growth and job creation.
“He sought the President’s support and cooperation to fast-track federal projects and ensure Kano benefits maximally from federal programmes and investments,” Tofa noted.
He also stated that the president assured the governor of FG’s commitment to partner with the state to ensure that insecurity is tackled decisively, while efforts will be made to drive sustainable development in Kano.