Kaduna coalition seeks el-Rufai’s prosecution for alleged resource plundering

Members of the Coalition of Socio-Political Groups (NCSPG) have called for the arrest and prosecution of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, over his indictment for allegedly plundering the state’s funds.

According to the group, el-Rufai should account for and defend his administration’s actions following the state’s House of Assembly Committee’s report that investigated his eight-year tenure in office and indicted him for allegedly mismanaging state resources and leaving 115 contractual liabilities.

Addressing a press conference at Arewa House in Kaduna on Wednesday, the National President of NCSPG, Musa Muhammed, said, “It is on record that the former commissioner of finance implicated him during the investigation. We are therefore calling on the relevant agency to arrest and prosecute him because he is not above the law.

“His recent visit to the former commissioner at the prison clearly shows he is supporting the indicted commissioner and therefore made him culpable.

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“Let us also remind El-Rufai that he is no longer the governor of Kaduna State. He should therefore stop his parade with security behind him just to convince his blinded supporters that he is still popular. This is unacceptable, as it will only heighten the political tension already brewing in the state. We therefore call on the Director of DSS, Kaduna, as well as the State Commissioner of Police, to call him to order, to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the state.”

Besides, the coalition said it has come to its notice that the former Kaduna governor was working underground to pull down the current governor, Uba Sani, despite the obvious and glaring development and growth since Sani’s assumption of office.

Muhammed remarked, “The reasons are obvious. Recall that the Kaduna State House of Assembly adopted the report of the 13-man panel, asking the incumbent Governor, Uba Sani, to refer El-Rufai, his Commissioner of Finance, and other aides to relevant security agencies for investigation over $587 million in inherited debts, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from the administration of El-Rufai.

“Instead of the former Governor providing evidence against the allegations raised by the State Assembly Ad-hoc Committee, he has adopted a ‘Fight to Finish’ approach rather than following due legal processes to defend himself.

“We are not here to mince words, but here to tell El-Rufai that we have uncovered all his evil plans to work against Governor Uba Sani in the 2027 general elections. Secondly, we are here to tell the good citizens of Kaduna State that we are very impressed and satisfied with Governor Uba Sani’s visionary leadership and commitment to good governance, despite the poor resources available to the state.”

The Coalition further added that it is in the public domain that Sani lamented that the N3 billion left from the allocation by El-Rufai was not enough to pay salaries, as the state’s monthly salary bill stands at N5.2 billion.

“There are several issues and debt burdens inherited by Senator Uba Sani’s administration, yet for peace to reign, he has decided that due process be followed to unravel the truth about it.”

“But as it is now, El-Rufai seems not to want peace, and we are battle-ready to fight on behalf of Governor Uba Sani to liberate the Kaduna people from the shackles of debt burdens, high-handedness, and the imposition of stooges as Governor come 2027.

“As citizens who have seen the work in progress and sound peaceful initiatives by the Governor, we vow to resist all political manoeuvres and evil machinations by the former Governor to unseat our leader and Governor.

“It is against this background that we have come to inform the people of Kaduna State, both residents and citizens, that as far as we are concerned, Governor Uba Sani has done well and is still working hard to make Kaduna State the beautiful bride in the face of the country and the world. Thus, we make bold to tell El-Rufai and his cohorts that there is No Vacancy in Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House come 2027. He has enjoyed his eight years of two terms as the constitution provided, and there is nothing wrong with Uba Sani enjoying the same rights,” he added.