The Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman, has shed light on the assembly’s decision to investigate the loans obtained during the tenure of the immediate past governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
Liman, speaking on Tuesday after the assembly established a 13-member committee to conduct a fact-finding mission on financial transactions, loans, grants, and project executions from 2015 to 2023 under El-Rufai’s administration, emphasized the importance of scrutinizing the previous administration’s expenditures.
He reassured the public that the matter would be thoroughly examined, promising transparency and giving everyone the opportunity to express their truths.
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“We are conducting this investigation to ensure accountability and transparency in governance. We aim to ensure that the legislature maintains its independence and does not become a rubber stamp,” Liman stated.
“Our goal is not to ridicule anyone but to uphold the principles of good governance and fiscal responsibility.”
This development occurs two weeks after El-Rufai’s successor, Senator Uba Sani, disclosed inheriting a substantial debt load of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual obligations from the previous administration.
Governor Sani lamented the adverse effects of the debt burden on the state’s finances, highlighting that the current exchange rate significantly inflated the repayment amounts. He expressed concern that a significant portion of the state’s federal allocation was being diverted to service debt obligations, leaving insufficient funds to cover essential expenses such as salaries.
While El-Rufai’s son publicly criticized the governor for alleged incompetence, El-Rufai refrained from direct comment on the matter.
At a recent Capacity-Enhancement Workshop for Senior Government Officials in Borno State, El-Rufai, serving as the lead speaker, made veiled references to governance in Kaduna, emphasizing his non-interference in state affairs.
He underscored his desire for Governor Sani to learn independently, distancing himself from any godfather role in Kaduna politics.
El-Rufai also praised Professor Babagana Zulum of Borno as Nigeria’s exemplary governor, further indicating his focus on leadership and governance beyond Kaduna.
