Senator Barau Pays Withheld ₦7m Entitlement of Former Kano LG Chairman

By Anayo Akwitti

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has settled the withheld entitlement of a former Chairman of Kano Municipal Local Government Area, Fa’izu Alfindiki, by the Kano State Government.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Senator Barau presented a cheque of ₦7 million to the former council chairman on Tuesday evening at the National Assembly, Abuja.

Speaking while handing over the cheque, Senator Barau said Alfindiki was unfairly denied his legitimate entitlement for standing by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and expressing constructive criticism of the state government.

He described constructive criticism as essential to democratic governance, stressing that punishing dissent undermines freedom of speech and association.

“It is unfortunate that he was denied his legitimate entitlements simply because he stood firmly with the APC and the people of Kano State. This is wrong, unjust, and a clear violation of freedom of speech and association,” Barau said.

“Constructive criticism, like that of Fa’izu Alfindiki, is the lubricant of democracy. Without it, democracy cannot thrive,” added the Deputy President of the Senate, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.

Responding after receiving the cheque, Alfindiki expressed gratitude to Senator Barau, noting that he had no regrets about speaking the truth to the Kano State Government.

“I sincerely thank His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Senate and our incoming Governor, In sha Allah, for this great honour. This gesture once again proves that the APC is a party worth standing with and a platform deserving of dedication and sacrifice,” he said.

Alfindiki added that he remained confident the party would stand by him from the outset of the incident.

“From the moment this happened, I was confident that the APC would stand by me. Today, that confidence has been justified. The Deputy President of the Senate stood up for me, and for that, I am deeply grateful,” he said.