A prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State, Isa Rabiu, has called on former Governor Nasir El-Rufai to allow an investigation into his eight-year tenure rather than making public declarations of innocence. Rabiu’s remarks came in response to El-Rufai’s recent denial of allegations regarding the misappropriation of over N423 billion in state funds during his administration.
The Kaduna State House of Assembly had previously accused El-Rufai’s government of financial mismanagement, a claim which the former governor and his allies within the All Progressives Congress (APC) have vehemently denied. El-Rufai, who appeared on a Hausa-language program on Freedom Radio in Kaduna, asserted that his involvement in politics was driven by a desire to serve the people, not personal gain. He reiterated that he had not misused public resources and emphasized that no specific allegations of embezzlement had been substantiated against him.
However, Isa Rabiu, speaking to journalists, criticized El-Rufai for his defensive stance, urging the former governor to remain patient and await the results of a thorough investigation. According to Rabiu, there is no need for El-Rufai to swear on the Quran, as he has reportedly suggested, to prove his innocence. He pointed out that El-Rufai had previously initiated a petition against his predecessor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, which led to an investigation into Makarfi’s administration.
“El-Rufai should refrain from making unnecessary claims of innocence until a complete investigation is carried out into his time in office,” Rabiu stated. He added that El-Rufai’s approach lacks “discipline, self-control, and focus,” citing the former governor’s history of fleeing abroad during the presidency of the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, only to return and criticize the late president after his death in 2010.
Rabiu further called on the Kaduna State government, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch an official probe into El-Rufai’s tenure. He expressed hope that any misappropriated funds could be recovered through the investigation, thereby ensuring accountability for the state’s financial resources.
This call for a full investigation highlights the political tension surrounding El-Rufai’s legacy as governor, with accusations of financial misconduct continuing to cast a shadow over his eight-year administration. The outcome of the proposed probe could have significant implications for both El-Rufai and the political landscape in Kaduna State.