Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed the Kaduna State House of Assembly’s recent actions as nothing more than a “politically motivated hatchet job.” This statement came in response to the Assembly’s adoption of a report from its ad-hoc committee, which was tasked with probing his governance from May 2015 to May 2023.
On Wednesday, through his spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai defended his administration, asserting that he led a government marked by integrity and competence throughout his eight-year tenure. He categorically rejected the findings of the ad-hoc committee, which was set up to investigate all finances, loans, and contracts awarded during his administration.
The committee, chaired by Henry Zacharia, presented its report to the House, alleging significant financial improprieties. Zacharia claimed that many of the loans obtained during El-Rufai’s administration were not utilized for their intended purposes, and in several instances, the proper procedures were not followed in securing these loans.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Yusuf Liman, further alleged that a staggering N423 billion had been siphoned off under El-Rufai’s administration, leaving the state with substantial liabilities. Based on these findings, the committee recommended that security and anti-corruption agencies investigate and prosecute El-Rufai and certain members of his cabinet for alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and money laundering. Additionally, the committee called for the immediate suspension of Shizer Badda, the current Commissioner of Finance, who also served in the same role under El-Rufai’s administration.
In a robust rebuttal, El-Rufai’s spokesman, Adekeye, condemned the committee’s claims as “scandalous.” He insisted that El-Rufai’s administration was characterized by high performance and integrity. Adekeye stated, “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 emphasized that many officials from the El-Rufai administration willingly appeared before the ad-hoc committee, confident in the quality and integrity of their service to Kaduna State. However, he suggested that the committee’s inquiry was biased from the outset, claiming, “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.”
He expressed deep disappointment in what he described as a “shameful departure from any notion of decency and fairness” by the state legislature. Adekeye concluded by urging the public to dismiss the committee’s report, labeling it as a politically motivated attack. “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,” he asserted.
El-Rufai’s strong defense highlights the contentious nature of the allegations and sets the stage for what could be a prolonged political and legal battle over his legacy and the financial management of Kaduna State during his tenure.
