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Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who previously served as the governor of Kaduna State, has firmly denied any wrongdoing during his administration, stating he is prepared to take an oath on the Holy Quran to establish his innocence.
He referred to politics as a continuous journey, expressing his plans to make a comeback in the political scene by 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 on his honesty, El-Rufai asserted that he is prepared to take an oath on the Quran and called on previous and current leaders to make the same commitment.
“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 underscored that his administration faced accusations lacking solid evidence, asserting that his allies are being unfairly targeted by both 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.
In light of accusations from the Kaduna State House of Assembly alleging that N423 billion was misappropriated or stolen under his administration, El-Rufai has issued a firm denial.
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.
Read also: Why Tinubu Will Prefer To Work With Me, El-Rufai – Umahi
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.
Upon approving the findings of a 13-member panel, the Assembly has urged the current Governor, Uba Sani, to forward El-Rufai, along with his Finance Commissioner and other close associates, to appropriate security agencies for a thorough investigation.
To examine the operations of El-Rufai’s administration, the Assembly formed a 13-man panel in April, with Deputy Speaker Henry Danjuma at the helm of the inquiry.
This inquiry by the Assembly was prompted just weeks after Uba Sani, the incumbent Governor of Kaduna State, voiced his frustrations regarding the significant debt inherited from El-Rufai.
Addressing residents at a town hall in Kaduna, Sani disclosed that the state’s coffers were nearly empty when he took office, a situation so dire that the government couldn’t afford to pay its employees.
Sani stated that, despite the significant debt load of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual obligations regrettably passed down from the prior administration, they remained determined to guide Kaduna State towards advancement and sustainable growth.