…Report has vindicated me’ – Uba Sani
…Ex-Gov. reacts
The ad-hoc committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly has recommended the probe of the immediate-past governor, Nasir Ahmed el-Rufa’i.
The former governor, who appears to have fallen out with his anointed successor, Senator Uba Sani, is being accused of alleged diversion of public funds and money-laundering.
Chairman of the committee, Henry Zacharia, who presented the report during plenary yesterday, noted that most of the loans obtained by the el-Rufa’i administration were used for other purposes.
Receiving the report, the Speaker of the Kaduna House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman, said that a total N423 billion was siphoned by the el-Rufa’is administration, while leaving the State with huge liabilities.
The committee, therefore, recommended the investigation and prosecution of el-Rufa’i, some other indicted members of his cabinet by security and anti-corruption agencies for abuse of office through the award of contracts without due process, diversion of public funds and money-laundering as well as plaguing Kaduna State into heavy debt.
The committee also recommended the immediate suspension of the State’s Commissioner of Finance, Shizer Badda, who also served in the same capacity under the el-Rufais administration, as well the chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, (SUBEB).
It also recommended thorough investigation of some key appointees of the last administration by appropriate law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies.
The State governor,
Senator Shehu Sani, who in response yesterday, said that he has been vindicated. Sani, whi took to his verified X platform(formerly Twitter), said he was the only lone voice speaking against the systematic looting of public funds embarked upon by el-Rufa’is administration.
According to him, other politicians in the state were intimidated and silenced while he remained steadfast and refused to be silenced by the el-rufais government, adding that his life was persecuted while several attempts were made on his life and that of several supporters.
However, in a swift response,
the former governor, el-Rufa’i, has stressed that he served with integrity. Responding via an issued statement which Muyiwa Adekeye, his media aide, issued on his behalf, el-Rufa’i said he is proud of his record in service.
The statement read in part: We are aware of news that the Kaduna State House of Assembly has adopted the report of the ad-hoc committee it asked to probe the el-Rufa’i administration. We have not been availed a copy of the report, to which we would respond robustly whenever we obtain it. We affirm the integrity of the el-Rufa’i government and dismiss the scandalous claims being aired as the report of the committee.
“El-Rufa’i wishes to assure discerning Nigerians that he has served Kaduna State with integrity and to the best of his capacity, assisted by a hardworking and patriotic team. He complied with all extant laws in all his activities while he was the governor. This jaundiced probe should be disregarded as the politically motivated hatchet job it is.
