Mahdi Shehu has criticized the recently announced Kano Metropolitan Rail Project, describing it as a “political deception” aimed at misleading residents of Kano State. He made the claim in a post on X on Thursday, challenging the authenticity of the project and questioning its existence in official government plans.

Shehu argued that the rail project is not included in the 2026 federal budget proposals, and that no formal memo has been presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for discussion. He also noted the absence of any design, contractor, or consultant for the project, suggesting that the announcement lacks any practical foundation.

According to him, the announcement by Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, who recently joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), is politically motivated. “This is pure deception. No such provision in the 2026 budgetary proposals. No design on the ground. No contractor. No consultants. Just to deceive Kano State people,” Shehu wrote.

The remarks have sparked debate nationwide, raising questions about the transparency and feasibility of the ₦1 trillion Metropolitan Rail Service proposed for Kano. Observers say the controversy reflects broader tensions surrounding political alignments and development promises in the state.