Residents and activists in Yobe State have criticised Governor Mai Mala Buni over his donation of N300 million to the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah, popularly known as Izala.

The gift was announced on Sunday in Jos, Plateau State, during a national symposium organised by the group.

Buni said the money was towards a proposed religious university the organisation plans to establish. The announcement, however, drew strong reactions from some residents who questioned the priority given to the project amid challenges in education, healthcare and other sectors in the state.

A Peoples Democratic Party member, Umar Yobe, alleged that the funds came from the public purse without consultation. An activist, KY Tebo, pointed to the lack of dialysis centres in areas where kidney disease is affecting residents, while another activist, Adamu Bello Jana, highlighted the poor condition of many public schools and the high number of out-of-school children.

Critics argued that the N300 million could have been channelled towards rehabilitating schools, improving healthcare facilities and addressing other basic needs. Many described the donation as a misplaced priority.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Director-General of Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, Mamman Mohammed, clarified that the N300 million was a personal donation by Governor Buni and not made on behalf of the Yobe State Government. He said reports suggesting the money would come from state resources were false and misleading.

Photo credit: Punch Newspapers