The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, on Tuesday presented a N7m cheque to a former Chairman of Kano Municipal Local Government Area, Fa’izu Alfindiki, as payment for an entitlement allegedly withheld by the Kano State Government.
Alfindiki, who governed the council under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, is a known critic of the New Nigeria Peoples Party-led administration in the state.
The former council chairman had accused the state government of deliberately withholding his entitlement, allegedly because of his political stance.
A few days earlier, the Kano State Government announced the settlement of outstanding payments to 1,371 former councillors, amounting to N15.7bn.
According to a statement posted on Tuesday on Barau’s official verified Facebook account, the cheque was handed over to Alfindiki during a meeting at Barau’s office in the National Assembly complex, Abuja, in the presence of stakeholders from Kano State.
Speaking at the meeting, Barau said the funds represented Alfindiki’s legitimate entitlement, which he claimed was withheld due to political differences and the former council chairman’s insistence on fairness and accountability.
He described the alleged action as unjust, arguing that denying individuals their lawful entitlements on political grounds amounted to oppression and threatened freedom of expression and the constitutional right to political association.
“Denying any citizen what is lawfully due to him because of political differences is wrong and dangerous for democracy,” the lawmaker said.
According to him, politicians who practise principled and issue-based politics, such as Alfindiki, were critical to the growth and sustainability of democracy.
“Such individuals are the pillars of democracy. Without them, democratic governance cannot thrive. They deserve to be supported and encouraged at all times,” Barau added.
Speaking after receiving the cheque, Alfindiki thanked the Deputy President of the Senate for what he described as a show of solidarity.
“I sincerely thank the Deputy President of the Senate for this support. It has reinforced my belief that the APC is a party worth standing with and sacrificing for,” he said.
He added that he had remained confident that the APC would stand by him since the issue arose.
“Today, that confidence has been vindicated. The Deputy President of the Senate stood firmly with me, and I am deeply grateful,” Alfindiki said.
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