The Kaduna State House of Assembly has commenced investigation into the eight years administration of ex-governor Nasir el-Rufai after forming a fact-finding committee regarding the financial transactions, loans, grants, and project implementations during the last government.
Nasir el-Rufai was governor of Kaduna state between 2015 and 2023, when he handed over to incumbent Governor Uba Sani, who was his ally and former political adviser.
The Kaduna Assembly tasked the probe committee, who was given one month to conclude it’s assignment and submit it’s report to the House leadership, the power to summon key figures who served during the last administration to explain how the loans and grants were utilised.
This followed the motion moved by the Deputy Minority Whip, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts Hon. Mugu Yusuf on the floor of the House.
He stated the necessity for the public to grasp the realities of the last government, especially following unsettling remarks made by Governor Uba Sani on March 28, 2024, regarding the state’s financial condition. Yusuf lamented the unfairness of the ensuing character assaults on both the Governor and his office, stating his commitment, alongside like-minded colleagues, to uphold accountability and transparency as mandated by his role.
Highlighting Kaduna’s substantial indebtedness, trailing only Lagos among Nigeria’s 36 states, Yusuf stressed the severity of the state’s inability to meet it’s monthly salary obligations.
The Chairman House Committee on Information, Hon. Henry Marah, clarified that the Assembly’s intent is not accusatory but rather a quest for transparency in the allocation of loans and grants during the previous administration. Marah warned against non-compliance with the committee’s summons, saying that the law would be applied to make those invited to come and explain their role. He urged all the invitees to provide relevant documentation for their defense.
The Speaker Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon. Yusuf Liman, assured the House that the matter will be properly looked into saying that they will give each and everyone the chance to speak the truth.
“We just want to analyze the last administration’s spendings so that we can stand with our shoulders high by the time we finish from the Assembly. We do not want anyone to call us rubber stamp legislators, we are not going to do this investigation to ridicule anybody, but we will do the right thing,” he said.
