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Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai
Former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has vehemently denied allegations of corruption during his tenure, saying he is willing to swear by the Holy Quran to prove his innocence.
He also described politics as a lifelong venture, saying he would return to politics in 2027.
“I intend to return to politics in 2027 after completing my studies. There is no retirement in politics. By the will of Allah, we will return and continue serving the people,” El-Rufai declared in an interview on Freedom Radio Kaduna on Tuesday.
Insisting that he was not corrupt, El-Rufai said he was willing to swear by the Quaran and challenged his predecessors and current leaders to do the same.
“I didn’t join politics to steal money or enrich myself. I was satisfied with what I had before becoming governor,” El-Rufai said.
The former governor emphasised that his administration had been accused without concrete evidence, and his allies were being targeted by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
“I have left everything to Allah’s judgment. I have prayed and will remain silent on the issue,” El-Rufai stated, adding that he had instructed his lawyers to take legal action against those tarnishing his name.
El-Rufai’s denial comes amidst allegations by the Kaduna State House of Assembly that N423bn was stolen or misappropriated under El-Rufai’s watch as the governor of the state.
The former governor expressed his commitment to serving the people, even outside of government.
“You don’t need to hold a position in government to serve. We are still working with like-minded individuals who genuinely want to serve the people, not those seeking to enrich themselves.”
The Punch reports that the court adjourned to July 17 for hearing in a suit instituted by the former governor against the State House of Assembly and the Attorney General of the State.
El-Rufai had in June 2024 urged the court to quash the report of the state House of Assembly indicting him of N423bn theft.
The ad hoc committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate all finances, loans and contracts awarded under El-Rufai had on June 5, 2024, indicting the ex-governor and some of his appointees of siphoning N423bn state funds.
The Assembly, while adopting the report of the 13-man panel, asked the incumbent Governor, Uba Sani, to refer El-Rufai, his Commissioner of Finance and other aides to relevant security agencies for investigation.
The Assembly had in April set up the 13-man panel, headed by the Deputy Speaker, Henry Danjuma, to probe El-Rufai’s administration.
The probe by the Assembly came weeks after the incumbent Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, lamented that El-Rufai left him a huge debt profile.
Sani, who spoke during a town hall meeting in Kaduna, said he inherited a lean treasury, adding that he could not pay workers’ salaries.
Sani said, “Despite the huge debt burden of $587m, N85bn, and 115 Contractual Liabilities sadly inherited from the previous administration, we remain resolute in steering Kaduna State towards progress and sustainable development.”
