Why Buhari Didn’t Approve Ganduje’s N15bn COVID-19 Relief Request – Presidency

The Presidency has explained why President Muhammadu Buhari did not approve the N15 billion request of Abdullahi Ganduje, Governor of Kano State, to assist the state’s novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response.
Governor Ganduje had accused the Federal Government of ignoring the state’s escalating COVID-19 situation by not granting his request and deploying a technical team to assist the state’s health officials in time.
But speaking in an interview on Thursday, Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said Governor Ganduje’s request was not granted because the Federal Government needed to assess and be satisfied with the level of work done by the Kano State government in combating the disease.
According to Adesina, the Federal Government granted the Lagos State government a N10 billion intervention fund as it was convinced by the efforts put in place by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration.
The presidential aide explained that Lagos State only sought technical, manpower and facility supports, not financial support, but that the Federal Government approved the fund for the state because it was convinced that it should.
“The federal government is moved by what it saw, and say, ah! This state needs help, and then it helped Lagos state,” Adesina said on Wazobia FM Kano’s As E Dey Hot programme.
“Any other state that is also doing its work and is not complaining, and is not saying bring money, bring money, bring money, federal government will do all that necessary to do to assist.
He stated that the Presidency may not approve the request of the state governors demanding financial intervention, noting that the President will instead send technical support as he did with the presidential team deployed to Kano State recently.
“Technical support is very very important, very very important. Lagos state got technical support before it got financial support. Manpower support is very good. Facility support, very good.
“And then, when it comes to financial support, the federal government will always do whatever is necessary to support,” Adesina said.