Kaduna Assembly Demands El-Rufai’s Financial Records

The Kaduna State House of Assembly has officially requested comprehensive financial records from the state’s Ministry of Finance pertaining to transactions during the tenure of former governor Nasir El-Rufai, covering the years 2015 to 2023. The assembly’s inquiry aims to investigate all financial activities, loans, and contract projects executed under El-Rufai’s administration. This scrutiny follows recent remarks by the current Governor, Uba Sani, who expressed concern over the significant debt left by the previous administration, which he claims has hampered his ability to meet financial obligations such as paying workers’ salaries.

During a town hall meeting in Kaduna, Governor Sani disclosed inheriting substantial debts totaling N587 billion, as well as N85 billion and N115 billion in contractual liabilities from the previous administration. Despite these challenges, he emphasized the government’s commitment to advancing Kaduna State’s development agenda and overcoming financial hurdles. These comments prompted reactions from various quarters, including El-Rufai’s son, Bashir, who criticized Governor Sani for allegedly neglecting his duties and residing outside of Kaduna.

The ensuing controversy led to the suspension of Kano APC Women Leader, Maryam Suleiman, who supported El-Rufai and criticized Governor Sani. In response, the Kano State House of Assembly announced its intention to investigate El-Rufai’s administration, establishing a fact-finding committee for this purpose. Concurrently, the Kaduna State House of Assembly dispatched a formal letter, referenced LEG/S. 382/VOL. II/615, to the Finance Commissioner, requesting relevant documents and memoranda pertaining to financial transactions from 2015 to May 2023.

The letter, signed by the Clerk of the Assembly, Sakinatu Idris, and obtained by PUNCH Online, instructs the Finance Ministry to furnish the Ad-Hoc Committee with various documents, including details of loans approved by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, records of payments to contractors, reports of salaries paid to staff, and documents related to the sale of government properties. The Ministry is directed to submit thirty copies of the required materials to the Legislature’s office by April 25, 2024, to facilitate the committee’s investigation.