By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
Former members of the Kaduna State Executive Council (2015-2023) have vehemently rejected corruption allegations leveled against them by the Uba Sani-led administration.
In a statement released on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, the ex-officials described the accusations as a politically motivated smear campaign.
The controversy stems from a report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which claims that N423 billion went missing under the leadership of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The report, which was first issued in June 2024, resurfaced this week, with some media outlets treating it as “breaking news.”
However, the former officials insist that they debunked the allegations in June and July of 2024, proving that the claims lack credibility.
According to the ex-officials, many of the loans listed in the report were not acquired during their administration, while others were disbursed after their tenure.
They further argue that certain loans were double-counted, and even a railway loan that was never contracted was included in the accusations.
In their statement, the former officials dismissed the idea that 40% of Kaduna’s earnings over eight years simply disappeared.
“Only those inclined to fiction can believe such a claim,” they remarked.
They also accused Governor Uba Sani’s administration of misrepresenting El-Rufai-era achievements, including projects funded by the AGILE initiative, the World Bank CARES infrastructure program, and the RAAMP roads program, all of which were initiated under El-Rufai’s tenure but are now being credited to Sani.
Beyond the allegations, the former officials claim that the Uba Sani government is targeting El-Rufai’s allies.
They cited the cases of Bashir Saidu and Jimi Lawal, both of whom have allegedly been detained unlawfully despite fulfilling bail conditions.
Furthermore, the government has reportedly blocked their release through administrative measures, including suspending land verification services.
The former officials argue that the real aim of these actions is to tarnish El-Rufai’s political legacy.
They contend that since the N423 billion claim remains unproven, the Sani administration is using media propaganda and criminal charges to create the illusion of corruption.
The statement concluded by highlighting the accomplishments of El-Rufai’s administration, including significant increases in Kaduna’s internally generated revenue (from N13 billion in 2015 to N58 billion in 2022), public service reforms, and key infrastructure projects.
“We will not be silenced,” the former officials declared. “We will continue to defend our legacy and expose this smokescreen of deceit.”