The Kaduna chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has publicly voiced its support for the Kaduna State House of Assembly’s decision to initiate a probe into the financial dealings and loans acquired during the tenure of former governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Salisu Wusono, the Kaduna APC Publicity Secretary, emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in governance when speaking to reporters. He hailed the probe as a positive step towards ensuring fiscal responsibility and good governance in the state.
A 13-member panel was established on Tuesday to investigate El-Rufai and his administration’s financial management practices. The decision to launch the probe followed complaints from the current Governor, Uba Sani, who expressed concerns about the substantial debt burden inherited from the previous administration. Sani lamented the challenges of managing an empty treasury, which has made it difficult to meet the state’s financial obligations, including the payment of workers’ salaries.
Governor Sani disclosed that despite inheriting a significant debt of $587 million, along with N85 billion and 115 contractual liabilities, his administration remains steadfast in its commitment to driving progress and development in Kaduna State.
“We have conducted a thorough assessment of our situation and are sharpening our focus accordingly.”
On Tuesday, the Assembly established a fact-finding committee to investigate the administration of Nasir El-Rufai.
Regarding the probe into El-Rufai’s administration, the Kaduna State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its support behind the Assembly’s efforts. Additionally, the labour union is urging the Assembly to look into the unpaid entitlements of over 32,000 dismissed workers during the previous administration.
NLC Chairman, Ayuba Suleiman said, “We will prefer if the committee shall consider further the denial of payment of redundancy, severance and pensions allowances as provided by Section 20 of the Labour Act of 2004, for the over 32,000 workers sacked by the previous administration.”
Suleiman revealed that among those who were dismissed from their positions were 21,711 primary school teachers, 7,000 state government employees, 6,000 local government personnel, 3,000 primary healthcare workers, and all the permanent secretaries he encountered upon assuming office in 2015, among others.