El-Rufai inaugurates transition committee

KADUNA State Governor-elect, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, yesterday inaugurated the transition committee ahead of the May 29 swearing in date as the state governor.

According to a statement by El-Rufai’s media aide, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, the transition committee consists of experienced technocrats, politicians and other professionals he worked with as former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Specifically, the committee is chaired by Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, a seasoned public servant and El-Rufai’s Chief of Staff when he was minister between 2003 and 2007.

Aruwan also stated that El-Rufai had officially replied to the incumbent Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero’s congratulatory letter and had met with him in the spirit of moving Kaduna State forward.

El-Rufai in his reply to Governor Yero said, “Permit me to most warmly acknowledge your congratulatory message on the occasion of our victory in the gubernatorial election. I appreciate the grace of your letter and the kind words it contains. I must also put on record that we welcome the spirit behind your phone call that preceded the letter.

“Given the short window that exists between now and the handover, it is our intention to swiftly focus on matters of transition. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has established its own transition committee, chaired by our Balarabe Abbas Lawal.”

Yero, in an earlier letter to El-Rufai, described his victory as overwhelming and symbolizing collective resolve of the citizenry.

“Your victory symbolizes the collective resolve of the vast majority of our people for a united, peaceful and prosperous state. I therefore, have no doubt in my mind on your determination, resolve and capacity to transform Kaduna into the state of the dreams of our founding fathers.

“While we continue to felicitate with you on the landmark victory, I pray the Almighty Allah to grant you good health, wisdom and courage to serve our people in the right direction.”