…Links Campaign to Kaduna Probe

A fierce war of words has erupted over renewed allegations against Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, with Baba Jibril dismissing the claims as a calculated political offensive designed to undermine the governor and distract from ongoing accountability efforts in the state.

In a rejoinder made available to The Guardian in Abuja on Monday, Jibril described the resurgence of a 2006 report containing allegations against the governor as “recycled propaganda,” insisting the accusations had neither been proven in court nor resulted in any sanction by anti-corruption agencies.

He argued that reviving claims dating back nearly two decades amounted to an attempt to rewrite history and tarnish the image of a public official whose political career had survived repeated public scrutiny.

According to Jibril, Governor Sani’s credentials were forged during Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle, where he was actively involved in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and the Campaign for Democracy, enduring arrests and harassment in the fight against military rule.

He also pointed to Sani’s tenure in the Senate, where he said the governor sponsored key legislation, including the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2022, describing his legislative record as evidence of purposeful public service.

Jibril maintained that Governor Sani’s administration has since taking office prioritised security, healthcare, education and financial inclusion, arguing that these achievements stand in sharp contrast to what he described as politically motivated attempts to discredit him.

He contended that if the allegations contained in the 2006 petition had any legal substance, they would have culminated in prosecution or official sanctions long before now.

Jibril further alleged that the renewed attacks were not coincidental but were intended to weaken public confidence in the governor as investigations into the financial affairs of the immediate past Kaduna State administration continue.

According to him, those reviving the old allegations were seeking to shift public attention from the ongoing accountability process and shield individuals who may have questions to answer.

He insisted that Governor Sani would not be intimidated by what he described as a campaign of smear and misinformation, urging the public to judge the governor by his record in office rather than by allegations he said had long failed to withstand legal scrutiny.

“The truth does not fear investigation,” Jibril said, adding that Governor Sani remained committed to transparency, accountability and the continued transformation of Kaduna State.