The management of Dala Inland Dry Port Limited has rejected circulating social media claims that members of the family of former Kano governor and ex-APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, hold shares in the company.
In a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, the company’s Secretary, Adamu Sanda, described the reports as “false, misleading, and politically motivated.”
Sanda emphasized that neither the Ganduje family nor the Kano State Government has ever owned any stake in the firm.
“Verified records from the Corporate Affairs Commission and official board resolutions clearly show that no member of the Ganduje family has ever been a shareholder, director, or signatory in Dala Inland Dry Port,” the statement said.
According to Sanda, the clarification became necessary following a surge of “mischievous posts” alleging that Ganduje’s children were allocated five million shares each through an “ordinary resolution” purportedly changing the company’s ownership structure.
“This claim is a fabrication. The alleged resolution document is not authentic. It was single-handedly authored and signed … without the consent or knowledge of other directors,” he explained.
“Official company records at the CAC make no reference to such a resolution, and there is no legal or corporate evidence supporting the existence of any share allotment to Ganduje’s children.”
The company’s origins trace back to Ahmad Rabi’u and his associates, who managed it before involving City Green Enterprises (CGE) as investors in the previously dormant project.
CGE acquired 80 percent of the company’s shares, while Rabi’u retained 20 percent, though reportedly he has not fully paid for his shares.
“At no point did the transaction include the Kano State Government or any member of the Ganduje family,” Sanda added.
Dismissing claims that Kano State Government owns 20 percent equity or has a board representative, the company clarified, “The Kano State Government has never owned equity in Dala Inland Dry Port. Its only involvement came through Corporate Social Responsibility support at the request of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to facilitate the revival of the port project.”
Sanda noted that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council had issued a letter of appreciation to the state for providing vital infrastructure at the Zawaciki Inland Port site, stressing that such support “does not constitute shareholding or ownership.”
“CSR assistance, by definition, is purely developmental support aimed at benefiting traders, businesses, and logistics operators in the state,” he said.
The company also refuted reports that Abdullahi Haruna, allegedly representing Kano government interests, sits on the board.
The Dala Inland Dry Port, located in Kano State, is one of Nigeria’s key inland logistics hubs, aimed at decongesting seaports and boosting economic activities in the northern region.
Conceived in the early 2000s under the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s supervision, the project was intended as an international trade gateway for the North.
However, the initiative has faced delays, ownership disputes, and political controversies, particularly over investment control and management.
Political analysts suggest the recent claims linking the Ganduje family to Dala Port may be tied to growing political tensions in Kano, where the former governor’s influence has been under increased scrutiny following his departure from office in 2023.
