A non-governmental organisation, Gwagware Foundation, has described as unfortunate the Utterances made by the Katsina State Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bala Abu, on the Governor, Malam Dikko Umar Radda and some serving commissioners.
The foundation stated that the remarks were “unfortunate, unacceptable, and disrespectful” to the office of the governor, as well as an “abuse” to the commissioners.
Gwagware Foundation, established in 2016 by Governor Radda while serving as Chief of Staff under the administration of former Governor Aminu Bello Masari. Initially, the foundation’s focus was on humanitarian assistance before evolving into a political movement and played a key role in mobilizing support for the APC during the last general elections, contributing to the victory of Governor Radda and other elected officials. Following the 2015 elections, the foundation grew in influence and was instrumental in securing key government appointments for its members.
Daily Independent gathered that a cross section of APC members have expressed concern over the growing power of the foundation, which they fear may undermine the party’s internal structure.
However, the dye was cast when Bala Abu, representing the party at an empowerment programme organized by Hon Sani Aliyu Danlami, a member of the House of Representatives for Katsina Federal Constituency at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, criticized some commissioners for allegedly disregarding the party’s leadership.
Bala, in his remarks, accused the commissioners of arrogance, claiming they believed their appointments were based solely on merit and qualifications, ignoring the party’s role in their emergence. He went as far as to verbally berate the commissioners, suggesting they resign if they could not respect the party hierarchy.
The State APC Vice Chairman also criticized Governor Radda for arriving late to the event, stating that the delay caused many attendees to leave the venue prematurely, demanding a public apology from the governor for the late arrival.
In response, Gwagware Foundation issued a strongly worded letter addressed to the state APC chairman, condemned Bala’s comments.
In the letter, jointly signed by the foundation’s chairman, Yusuf Aliyu Musawa, alongside Kabiru Usman Amoga and Nasir Mustapha Danye, stated that the comments had provoked outrage and diminished the dignity of the governor’s office.
The foundation urged the APC leadership in the state to investigate the matter and take appropriate disciplinary measures against the state APC vice chairman, Malam Bala Abu Musawa.