States received N2trillion refunds under Buhari – Bagudu

The administration of President Muhammmadu Buhari gave States in Nigeria over N2 trillion to aid economic recovery, says Atiku Baguda, chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Governors Forum and governor of Kebbi State.

The money came in form of restructuring of loans, refunds on federal roads and the refund for Paris Club, which has helped in economic recovery, payment of salaries and pensions, as well as payment of gratuities.

This is just as Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State on Tuesday debunked claims that “a gorilla swallowed N6.8m at the Kano zoo.“

Ganduje who stated that “no Gorilla exists at the Kano zoo said he had instituted a panel of enquiry into the matter, adding that preliminary reports shows that armed bandits invaded the zoo and made away with the money and the entire safe if the zoo.

Baguda disclosed this while fielding questions from State House Correspondents on Tuesday, after leading the APC Governors to meet with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

Bagudu said the Governors used the opportunity to express their gratitude to the President for his support for states.

According to Bagudu states also enjoyed increased investment in agriculture, as part of Buhari Aconscious decision by the administration to support agriculture as a way out of economic challenges and enhance economic growth.

He noted that the President’s economic efforts “have begun to pay off in terms of more economic prosperity and increased security across the country even though some challenges still remain, he is working hard at it”

He assured that they will continue to work with the “President to ensure that we increase economic performance, security of our country and social cohesion.”

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, speaking further on his meeting with the President, said he briefed the President on the security situation in Kano State.

“We are working in synergy with the security in Kano State to ensure that the state remains peaceful despite what is happening in the neighboring states.

“Our emphasis on is on community policing, community participation, especially those communities located around the forest areas of the state. So, we have built a synergy with the security institutions and our traditional rulers. The traditional rulers are always there and they also get a lot of security reports and they use it a lot to maintain peace in their domains. So, as of today, Kano is one of the most peaceful state.

“ You know l already directed the anti- corruption agency in Kano to wade into the issue and they are still investigating. But all l can say now is that preliminary reports indicate that there was armed robbery at the zoo, and not the issue of Gorilla. The issue of Gorilla is junk Journalism. This is because there is even no Gorilla in that zoo. We are told that there was an armed robbery incidence in which The entire safe at the zoo was carted away.“

The embattled Governor who has waged war with the Emir of Kano, Sanusi 11, said the case is still on going.