Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nigeria Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed the Kaduna State House of Assembly’s adoption of a report by its ad-hoc committee, which probed his governance from May 2015 to May 2023, as a “politically motivated hatchet job.” In a statement on Wednesday, El-Rufai’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, said the former governor led a government of integrity and competence during his eight-year administration.
On Wednesday, the ad hoc committee, chaired by Henry Zacharia, submitted its report to the House, claiming that most of the loans obtained under El-Rufai’s administration were not used for their intended purposes and that due process was not followed in securing them. The Speaker of the Assembly, Yusuf Liman, alleged that a total of N423 billion was siphoned by El-Rufai’s administration, leaving the state with significant liabilities.
The committee recommended the investigation and prosecution of El-Rufai and some of his cabinet members by security and anti-corruption agencies for alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and money laundering. It also recommended the immediate suspension of the Commissioner of Finance, Shizer Badda, who served in the same capacity under El-Rufai’s administration.
El-Rufai’s spokesman, Adekeye, responded by affirming the integrity of El-Rufai’s government and dismissing the committee’s claims as “scandalous.”
“Malam Nasir El-Rufai is immensely proud of his record of governance and the legacy he left in Kaduna State. This record of consistently high performance in public and private office cannot be altered by any malicious effort to use the auspices of a state legislature for defamation and undeserved smears,” Adekeye said.
He further criticized the committee’s process, suggesting it was biased.
“Many of the officials who served in the El-Rufai government appeared before the ad-hoc committee because of their confidence in the quality of their service and the rectitude which they served Kaduna State. They were under no illusion that they were participating in a fair process. It was obvious that the ad hoc committee was merely going through the motions of an inquiry just to give some gloss to predetermined conclusions,” Adekeye stated.
Adekeye lamented the state legislature’s departure from decency and fairness.
“It is sad to see such a shameful departure from any notion of decency and fairness by a state legislature. We dismiss with contempt the claims being peddled in connection with the report,” he said.
El-Rufai assured Nigerians of his dedication to serving Kaduna State with integrity.
“Malam El-Rufai 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,” the statement concluded.
