From Daniel Attah, Kaduna
A group, the Kaduna Accountability Network, on Wednesday, knocked former governor Nasir El-rufai for calling on his supporters to pray for the down fall of his successor and incumbent, Senator Uba Sani over his alleged misappropriation of N423billion by State House of Assembly.
The former governor was said to have returned to the state shortly after he and his commissioners were indicted by the State House of Assembly for allegedly misappropriating N423 billion between May 29, 2015 and May 29, 2023.
El-Rufai had said that the incumbent governor “will fall like a candy after prancing.”
The former governor, who met with his political associates and followers at his Alimi Road residence where he celebrated the Eid-al-Adha, had said he remained unperturbed by the ongoing probe of his administration by the House of Assembly.
He had urged his followers (in sarcasm) to pray for the new Governor (Uba Sani) and his cabinet to do the right thing, the former governor said in Hausa.
However, the group shot back at the El-Rufai while expressing disgust over the purported viral video where the former governor and his supporters celebrating Sallah.
They called on the former governor to keep quiet and safe his empty rhetoric and distraction, adding that the people of state are wiser and could see through “your tricks, antics, and distractions.”
This was as they urged the anti-corruption agencies to take prompt action on the report of the State Assembly for in-depth investigation and appropriate action to recover “our commonwealth and prosecute anyone implicated.”
The Network led by its Chairman and Secretary, Jabir Maiturare and Ayuba Isah states this while addressing a press conference in Kaduna, state capital on Wednesday.
described as disappointing to see the former governor allegedly accused of embezzlement to be “flaunting his lavish lifestyle with cohorts and family members” at the detriments common citizens of the state.
According to the chairman who address press conference, El Rufai does not care about the poor citizens of state he governed for eight years who are now suffering for the N423 billion allegedly misappropriated by he and his commissioners.
He said, “we are compelled as patriotic citizens of Kaduna State to express our utter disgust at the bloating and irresponsible utterances, allegedly made by Mal Nasir Ahmed El Rufai, the former Governor of the State, as reported by the media yesterday in which he sarcastically wished for the eventual failure of his successor, Senator Uba Sani, the Governor of Kaduna State.”l
“As stakeholders in the development of the state, we cannot stand idle while a man who should be held accountable for the missing N423,115,028,072.88 billion from our commonwealth attempts to undermine a government that represents the will of the people, and to continue take us for granted.
“We are calling on El Rufa’i, to keep quiet and quit this empty rhetoric and distractions. The people of Kaduna are wiser and can see through your tricks, antics, and distractions.”
“Nasir El Rufai should talk about the findings of the KDHA investigations in which his government was accused of reckless awards of contracts without due process, humongous withdrawals of cash both in Naira and Dollars with no records of utilization, multiplicity of abandoned projects for which billions of naira were paid to contractors for work not done, among many other findings.”
“The citizens of Kaduna are yearning for answers to these! We are urging the Anti-corruption Agencies to take prompt action on the report of the KDHA for in-depth investigation and appropriate action to recover our commonwealth and prosecute anyone implicated.
“We, the people of Kaduna state vow to remain united and vigilant until every kobo stolen from our state through a mafia-style gangsterism is returned to the people.”
“We commend Governor Uba Sani for his steadfastness in the face of the provocations by the former administration and its cronies.”
The PUNCH reports that ad hoc committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate all finances, loans and contracts awarded under the former governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Wednesday, submitted it’s report to the House.
The Committee indicated the former governor saying that most of the loans obtained under the El-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023, were not used for the purpose for which they were obtained.
The Committee led by Hon. Henry Zacharia, who’s also the Deputy Speaker of the House, recommended the prosecution of El-Rufai, some other indicted members of his cabinet by security and anti-corruption agencies for abuse of office and money laundering while in office as well as plaguing Kaduna State into heavy debt.
Recall that the probe by the state Assembly was necessitated following the lamentation of the incumbent Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, that El-Rufai left him a huge debt profile.
Sani, who spoke during a town hall meeting in Kaduna, said he inherited a lean treasury, adding that he could not pay workers’ salaries.
Sani said, “Despite the huge debt burden of N587m, N85bn, and N115bn contractual liabilities sadly inherited from the previous administration, we remain resolute in steering Kaduna State towards progress and sustainable development.
“We have conducted a thorough assessment of our situation and are sharpening our focus accordingly.”
The revelation by Sani had generated reactions from several quarters, including El-Rufai’s son, Bashir, who took to his social media handle and accused his father’s successor of shying away from his responsibility.”
