Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga, who represents Kano Central Senatorial District, is being heavily criticized on social media for donating 5,000 shrouds and clay pots to cemeteries and mosques for the burial of deceased constituents.
Daily News 24 reports that photos of the white burial shrouds and pots are being circulated widely on social networks by netizens who express outrage over the bizarre gesture.
However, this newspaper could not independently verify when the donation was made.
A Facebook user, Amina Bala mocked Mr Hanga over the gesture, praying that she would not be one of its beneficiaries.
“Hahahah, Nigerian politicians! You have done what others can’t do. But I hope I won’t be one of the beneficiaries of your interventions,” she wrote.
Another user, Aliyu Umar wrote: “Oh Senator, when others are sharing offers and empowerments, but you’re here donating pots to the graveyard”.
However, Muhammad Inuwa on his part said he saw nothing wrong with the donation, claiming it was requested by the senator’s committee on graveyard in his constituency.
“Just like when students sought his help during their registration and he offered it to them.
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“It is the graveyard committee that meets with the senator to seek his assistance on the above-mentioned materials needed in the various graveyards in Kano Central. Which he pleasantly offered.
“This project, I think, is personal, not from constituency money. So it is normal for a senator to donate to a cause aimed at alleviating some dire situation in his community,” Mr Inuwa posted.
Daily News 24 has made efforts to reach one of Senator Hanga’s aides, Samir Hanga, but his mobile phone number did not connect.
A text message sent to him seeking comments on the matter was not also replied.
Senator Hanga was one of two senators voted under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) during the 2023 general elections.
He defeated Alhaji Abdussalam A. Zaura, who was the candidate of the opposition All Progress Congress (APC) for the Kano Central Senatorial zone.
