The Youth Alliance for Sustainable Development (YASD), a coalition of youth groups from seven North West states, has accused the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, of attempting to influence the composition of the North West Development Commission’s management team.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, YASD spokesman Ahmed Sambo raised concerns over what he described as “lopsided appointments” favouring Kano and Jigawa states in the leadership and board membership of the commission.
He expressed concern over what he described as “lopsided appointments” in the composition of management and board members of the commission in favour of Jigawa and Kano states.
According to him, “A critical look at the composition of the management and board members indicates non adherence to due diligence.
“Board Chairman, Amb. Haruna Ginsau, Kano state, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Abdullahi Ma’aji, Jigawa; Alhaji Yahaya Namahe, member, Sokoto state; and Malam Aminu Sulaiman, member, Kebbi.
“Others are Tijjani Kaura, member, Zamfara; Abdulkadir Usman, member, Kaduna State; Muhammad Wudil, member, Kano state; Shamsu Sule, member, Katsina state; and Nasidi Ali, member, Jigawa.
“The composition shows that Kano and Jigawa got two key positions each while the remaining five states got one slot each,” he said.
He said that after securing the two key positions of the commission, Kano and Jigawa states also benefited from board representation, arguing that the appointments appeared one-sided.
He also faulted siting the headquarters of the commission in Kano, the state of the pioneer board chairman.
He pointed out that the commission was established in response to the yearnings and aspirations of the seven states in the region.
“Some of the cardinal objectives of the commission is reintegration and resettlement of displaced persons, restoration of economic activities halted by insurgency as well as improving infrastructural investments.
“However, the lopsided appointments could be detrimental to achieving these objectives, and the mission may likely be jeopardised due to personal interest,” he said.
He alleged that certain individuals behind the lopsided appointments want to capitalise on the commission to propel their gubernatorial ambitions in Kano and Kaduna states respectively.
“The individuals are still trying to manoeuvre and corner other strategic appointments, especially executive directors position to their cronies and political associates against all odds.
“We, therefore, wish to strongly oppose this move and call for an open and transparent process in running the commission for the benefit of all against selected few,” Sambo said.
