Rice contract: Kwankwaso threatens legal action against online newspaper
Published By: Paul Dada
By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano
Kano state Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Saturday, threatened a legal action against an online newspaper, 247ureports.com and its publisher over failure to retract a story alleging that he fell out with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Shehu Shagagi, because of delayed payment of N500 million rice contract made for palliatives.
The online news portal had reported in a story captioned: “Trouble Inside Kano Government As Kwankwaso Falls Out With Governor,” that Mustapha, son of the National Leader and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, openly vented his anger on Governor Yusuf and his Chief of Staff over delayed payment of N500 million rice contract money.
The online newspaper also alleged that Mustapha refused to deliver for the second N500 million rice contract after receiving the first payment, a development which allegedly caused bad blood between him and Governor Yusuf.
But the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development in a rebuttal Statement made available to our Correspondent on Saturday, described the story as, “completely baseless and a mere figment of the imagination of its publishers.”
He demanded for a retraction of the story and unreserved apology from the publishers, failing which he would take a legal action against them.
The Statement he personally signed reads: “Dear friends and fellow citizens,
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” I read with dismay a recent report published by 247ureports alleging unrest within the Kano government. I want to take this opportunity to inform the public that this report is completely baseless and a mere figment of the imagination of its publishers.
“It is clear that these claims are intended to distract us from the important work we are doing under the capable leadership of our Governor, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf.
“Our government is fully committed to improving the lives of the good people of Kano State. We are focused on implementing positive policies and initiatives that will benefit our State.
“Let me assure you that no amount of propaganda from those who wish to undermine our progress will deter us from our goals.
“I urge the publishers of 247ureports to retract their misleading story and issue a public apology to the government and the people of Kano State.
“Failure to do so will leave us with no choice but to consider legal action to protect our integrity and the truth.
“Thank you for your continued support and trust in our government.”
