Khadijah Aliyu
Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, a prominent politician and grassroots mobiliser in Kano State, says it is healthy political evolution that politicians are being granted pardon in Nigeria.
Garo, who fielded questions from newsmen in Kano, also noted that repentant and forgiven politicians are allowed to actively participate in politics to add valour and strengthen democracy.
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He was reacting to allegations over his involvement in financial sleaze while serving as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Kano during the administration of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Garo acknowledged desperate attempts by his adversaries to malign him and whittle down his growing political profile.
Garo, popularly known as MSG, was a Deputy Governorship candidate during the 2023 general election and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
He claimed that local councils in the state witnessed phenomenal development when he served as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs.
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However, Sule Garo explained that the allegations of diversion of public funds for personal use have collapsed in the eyes of the Constitution and extant laws of Nigeria.
The existing constitutional provisions and laws averred that an accused person is presumed innocent until proven otherwise by a court of competent jurisdiction.
“Therefore, my media trial ran afoul of the law. Moreso, the allegations were not preferred against him but a group of suspects.
“Besides, the Kano State Government, being the complainant, has not shown interest in prosecuting me.
Another charge brought against me was dismissed by the court even as the state government decided to forgive me,” Garo claimed.
He cited for instance that Hon. Faruk Lawan and Alhaji Aminu Dabo, former Managing Director of NPA, were pardoned by the system and are actively participating in politics.
The politician therefore appealed to the good people of Kano State and other interested parties to disregard any malicious allegation against him because of his innocence before the law court and forgiveness by the state government.