By Abdullahi Yusuf
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, has condemned what he described as campaign of calumny being directed at the person of the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Usman.
Kwankwaso made the condemnation in a statement issued on Saturday, while responding to a news report published by an online media platform.
The report alleged bias in the selection process for ad hoc members of staff for the 2025 Hajj operation.
Kwankwaso said the recent attacks on the chairman including some unsubstantiated news reports are part of a larger agenda to destabilize NAHCON under the leadership of Prof. Abdullahi Usman and to derail the 2025 Hajj preparations.
He described the situation as unacceptable, saying that whosoever is committed to the transformation of the commission and the successes of the 2025 Hajj should join hands with the commission’s leadership to consolidate on Professor Usman’s gains.
He urged the media to uphold professionalism in their reportage by striving for accuracy, impartiality, and avoiding conflicts of interest.
The APC bigwig dismissed the report of unscrupulous practices in the selection process for ad hoc staff members for the 2025 Hajj operation.
“It is unacceptable that some people are hellbent on destabilizing NAHCON under the leadership of Professor Abdullahi Sale Usman. This will not be allowed to continue unchecked.
“It is no longer news that the chairman has introduced fundamental reforms. These reforms are easing out age-long encumbrances associated with Hajj operations in Nigeria. What the chairman deserves at the moment is a pat on the back for a job well done.
“But some unscrupulous individuals who have turned the commission into a milking cow are desperately working to destroy these reforms and the image of the chairman.
“The selection of the National Hajj Medical Team (NMT) was transparent. It was advertised and people applied and were selected for the posts. The CV of each of the selected medical team members, including the lead, is there to speak for him or her.
“I am very much sure that arrangements are in place to make the 2025 Hajj exercise a huge success and nothing will temper with these arrangements, ” he said.
Kwankwaso commended President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their commitment to ensure the success of the 2025 Hajj.