LIVE UPDATES
Former Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufai has expressed readiness to return to politics in 2027.
He described politics as a lifelong venture of no retirement.
He, however, denied the allegations of corruption levelled against him while in office, saying he was willing to swear by the Holy Qur'an to prove his innocence.
El-Rufai said on Freedom Radio, Kaduna, that “after the completion of my studies, I intend to return to politics in 2027. There is no retirement in politics. By the will of Allah, we will return and continue serving the people."
“I didn’t join politics to steal money or enrich myself. I was satisfied with what I had before becoming governor," he added.
The former governor faulted accusations surrounding his administration without concrete evidence, saying his allies were being targeted by 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 said.
He disclosed that he had instructed his lawyer to take legal action against those tarnishing his image.
This is just as the Kaduna State House of Assembly alleged that N423bn was stolen or misappropriated under El-Rufai’s watch as the governor of the state.
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,” he stated.
Recall that in June 2024, el-Rufai urged the court to annual the report of the state House of Assembly indicting him of N423bn theft.
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, indicted the ex-governor and some of his appointees of siphoning N423bn state funds.
The Assembly, while adopting the report of the 13-man panel, asked the incumbent Governor, Uba Sani, to refer el-Rufai, his Commissioner of Finance and other aides to relevant security agencies for proper investigation.
The Assembly had in April set up the 13-man panel, headed by the Deputy Speaker, Henry Danjuma, to probe el-Rufai’s administration.
The probe by the Assembly came weeks after the incumbent Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, lamented that el-Rufai left him a huge debt profile.
Sani had cried out that he inherited a lean treasury, making it difficult for his administration to pay workers’ salaries.
Sani said, “Despite the huge debt burden of $587m, N85bn, and 115 Contractual Liabilities sadly inherited from the previous administration, we remain resolute in steering Kaduna State towards progress and sustainable development.”
