The decision by Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to reportedly reward members of the APC Polling Unit Supporters Association with plots of land and ₦100 million has sparked outrage, with critics describing it as an abuse of public office and state resources.
Speaking on Arise Television News on Thursday Night, lawyer and public affairs analyst Frank Tietie condemned the development, describing it as a “crass abuse of office” if the cash and land were sourced from government resources.
He argued that public assets belong to all citizens and should not be used to reward political supporters.
Tietie described the action as prebendalism—the use of public office and state resources for political patronage—and warned that such practices erode accountability and weaken democratic governance.
The legal practitioner also noted that many Nigerians view the rewards as a strategy that could strengthen political structures ahead of the 2027 elections.
While some critics fear such patronage networks could be used to influence future electoral outcomes, no evidence has been presented that the rewards are intended to facilitate election rigging, and no court or electoral authority has made such a finding.
Calling for resistance against what he termed growing executive impunity, Tietie urged Nigerians and civil society organisations to challenge the action in court if there is evidence that public funds or government land were improperly used.
The controversy has reignited debate over the limits of executive powers and the use of public resources for political purposes, with transparency advocates insisting that state assets must be managed strictly in the public interest.
