Kebbi: Council chairman denies misconduct allegations ahead of assembly probe

The Chairman of Maiyama Local Government in Kebbi, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu-Liba, has denied allegations of gross misconduct levelled against him.

Newsmen had earlier reported that a petition was submitted by the Maiyama Local Government Progressive Union, and read at the Kebbi House of Assembly plenary by the Speaker, Alhaji Mohammed Usman on Wednesday.

The petition alleged the personal conversion of an 18-seater Toyota bus and non-completion of an electricity project from Maiyama to Andarai despite full payment.

Other allegations were; the sale of two caterpillars and a fill-loader belonging to the council, and the unauthorised disposal of plots at Dadin Kowa Market.

Responding to the allegations, Aliyu-Liba, while briefing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, denied the allegations, describing them as unfounded.

He said the heavy-duty equipment mentioned in the petition were auctioned with the approval of the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Aliyu-Liba said the 18-seater bus was intact and being used for political support activities for Gov. Nasir Idris and President Bola Tinubu.

“The 18-seater bus is on ground; it was never sold as alleged. It is in my custody as Chairman of Maiyama Local Government,” he said.

Aliyu-Liba explained that the Andarai electricity project had been fully executed.

“I wrote to the Governor on the need to repair the Andarai electricity supply, and he approved N245 million for the project.

“The work is 100 per cent completed and Andarai is enjoying adequate power supply,” he assured.

He challenged the petitioners to provide evidence to support their claims, especially on alleged allocation of plots at Dadin Kowa Market.

“There was no such allocation during my tenure. Frivolous and baseless allegations of political blackmail cannot stand without cogent evidence,” he said.

“The investigation on the petition is yet to be officially served to me,” he said.

The chairman urged the residents of Maiyama to remain calm and law-abiding, while the assembly concludes its investigation.

On his part, the Councillor for Andarai Ward, Alhaji Haruna Musa, also affirmed that the electricity project had been completed, saying residents were enjoying stable power supply.