Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has dismissed the State House of Assembly’s adoption of a report by its ad hoc committee demanding to probe his governance of the state from May 2015 to May 2023.
El-Rufai said it was a “politically motivated hatchet job,” insisting he served with integrity.
He spoke on Wednesday through a statement by his spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye.
The former governor said he led a government of integrity and competence during his eight-year administration.
It is recall that the ad hoc committee set up by the state assembly to investigate all finances, loans and contracts awarded under the El-Rufai administration submitted its report to the House.
The chairman of the ad hoc committee, Henry Zacharia, said most of the loans obtained under El-Rufai’s administration were not used for the purpose for which they were obtained, while in some cases, due process was not followed in securing the loans.
The committee went on to recommend the investigation and prosecution of El-Rufai, and some members of his cabinet by security and anti-corruption agencies for alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds and money laundering.
However, Adekeye affirmed the integrity of the El-Rufai government and dismissed the claims by the committee.
He said: “Malam Nasir El-Rufai is immensely proud of his record of governance and the legacy he left in Kaduna State. This record of consistently high performance in public and private office cannot be altered by any malicious effort to use the auspices of a state legislature for defamation and undeserved smears.
“Many of the officials who served in the El-Rufai government appeared before the ad-hoc committee because of their confidence in the quality of their service and the rectitude with which they served Kaduna State. They were under no illusion that they were participating in a fair process. It was obvious that the ad hoc committee was merely going through the motions of an inquiry just to give some gloss to predetermined conclusions.
“It is sad to see such a shameful departure from any notion of decency and fairness by a state legislature. We dismiss with contempt the claims being peddled in connection with the report.
“Malam El-Rufai wishes to assure discerning Nigerians that he has served Kaduna State with integrity and to the best of his capacity, assisted by a hardworking and patriotic team. He complied with all extant laws in all his activities while he was governor. This jaundiced probe should be disregarded as the politically motivated hatchet job it is.”
