Former members of the Kaduna State Executive Council (2015-2023) have refuted corruption allegations against them, describing it as a politically motivated smear campaign by the Uba Sani-led administration.
In a statement, the ex-officials rejected the Kaduna State House of Assembly’s report that claimed N423bn went missing under Nasir El-Rufai’s leadership, asserting that the accusations are fabricated and recycled for political gain.
The House of Assembly’s report, first released in June 2024, resurfaced this week, with some media outlets treating it as breaking news. The former officials insist they debunked these claims in June and July 2024, proving the allegations lack credibility.
They argue that many of the loans listed in the report were not drawn during their administration or were disbursed after their tenure ended. Some loans were allegedly double-counted, and even a railway loan that was never contracted was included in the accusations.
“Only those inclined to fiction can believe that 40% of Kaduna’s earnings over eight years simply vanished,” the statement read.
The former officials also accused Governor Uba Sani’s administration of taking credit for El-Rufai-era projects while falsely claiming financial mismanagement. They highlighted key projects such as schools built under AGILE funding, World Bank CARES infrastructure projects, and RAAMP-funded roads, which were initiated under El-Rufai but are now being presented as Sani’s achievements.
Beyond the corruption allegations, the ex-officials claim that the Uba Sani government is orchestrating a crackdown on El-Rufai’s allies. They cited the case of Bashir Saidu, allegedly abducted in Kaduna on December 31, 2024, and still imprisoned despite being granted bail. Similarly, Jimi Lawal is said to have been detained unlawfully even after meeting bail conditions.
The government has allegedly used administrative measures to block their release, including suspending land verification services to prevent them from securing bail.
The former officials argue that the real motive behind the allegations is to damage El-Rufai’s political prospects. They claim that since the N423bn missing funds claim is unproven, the government is pursuing media propaganda and pushing criminal charges against former officials to create the illusion of wrongdoing.
The statement concluded by highlighting El-Rufai’s achievements, including Kaduna’s IGR growth from N13bn in 2015 to N58bn in 2022, public service reforms, and infrastructure projects.
“We will not be silenced. We will continue to defend our legacy and expose this smokescreen of deceit,” the former officials declared.
