The governor made the disclosure while addressing members of the Kano State contingent at the 2025 National Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Borno State.
A social activist, Muhammad Mahdi Shehu, has described the President Bola Tinubu government’s announced ₦1 trillion Metropolitan Rail Service for Kano State as a product of what he called “gorilla and reptiles” politics, questioning the credibility of the project.
The rail project was announced by Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf on Thursday, saying it had been approved by the Federal Government shortly after his political realignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor made the disclosure while addressing members of the Kano State contingent at the 2025 National Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Borno State.
EMOTIONAL RAIL PROJECT FOR KANO STATE: ANOTHER POLITICAL DECEPTION:
This is pure deception. No such provision in the 2026 budgetary proposals. No such memo presented to FEC for deliberation. No design on the ground. No contractor. No consultants.
Just to deceive Kano State… pic.twitter.com/KNrummc6Ie
— Mahdi Shehu (@shehu_mahdi) January 29, 2026
Governor Yusuf had said the proposed rail system would transform urban transportation in Kano, reduce traffic congestion and stimulate economic growth.
He had explained that the project would provide a modern, efficient, and affordable mass transit option linking key districts across the city.
He had further highlighted the expected benefits for residents, stating, “When completed, the rail service will ease movement for our people, facilitate trade, attract investors, and significantly improve the quality of life of Kano residents.”
Reacting in a statement via his social media accounts titled, “emotional rail project for Kano State: another political deception:”, Shehu said, “This is pure deception. No such provision in the 2026 budgetary proposals. No such memo presented to FEC for deliberation. No design on the ground. No contractor. No consultants.”
He further linked the timing of the announcement to political developments, adding, “Just to deceive Kano State people because Abba has joined the ‘Gorilla and reptiles’ club where venoms flow.”