Indeed, as they say – power is transient. Before May 29, 2023, no one in the legislature, in their wildest imagination, would have dared take such an action to probe the all-powerful former Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai . More so, that even those that vehemently promoted and defended the collection and utilization of the loans are today singing crucify him. No doubt also, unless being naive or playing the ostrich, one cannot divorce political undertones from what is happening. Albeit, this is a welcome and commendable development. Particularly, that the State Assembly, especially the opposition, has found its oversight voice.
It all started by an outcry by an opposition member, Hon. Henry Marah, House Committee Chairman on Information, NGOs and Development Partners; followed by My Governor Mallam Uba Sani’s revelation during a town-hall meeting; then a motion by Hon. Yusuf Mugu, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), another opposition member; and now the setting up of an ad-hoc committee to probe the last administration over financial transactions most especially loan collection, utilization and abandoned projects.
It is difficult to fathom how the Assembly’s probe will yield any result without also investigating the role played by key members of this current administration, starting with My Governor Mallam Uba Sani.
Recall that it was reported by Daily Post that when the former Chief of Staff to former Governor Elrufai appeared before the Senate Committee on Foreign and Local Debts, the current Governor my Governor, then a Senator, was quoted to have risen in defense of the loan collection by stating, “Distinguished colleagues, I am seeking your cooperation for approval of the loan. Kaduna State government is doing well in infrastructure and this will go a long way.” My Governor was further reported by Vanguard Newspaper that he should be held responsible.
Similarly, the current Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, equally chaired the Infrastructure Development Policy Council that oversaw the execution of the Urban Renewal Projects and other projects across the State. This means the Assembly’s ad-hoc committee will need to also invite the Deputy Governor, alongside her predecessor Chair of the Policy Council, the former Commissioner of the State Planning and Budget Commission and Chief of Staff, Sani Abdullahi Muhammad Sani Dattijo, in the last administration. Not to forget the three sole administrators of the metropolitan authorities under whose watch many of the projects were executed.
The role played by the 8th and 9th Assembly should also be looked at. The loan was secured under the former Speaker, now Commissioner of Housing, Dr. Aminu Shagali during whose tenure as second term Speaker the first drawdown in 2019 was passed through a supplementary budget. Interestingly, the current Speaker was a member of the Assembly. Even though the immediate past Speaker has denied any willful role in the loan, he was equally a member and was at the helm of affairs during the utilization of the loans. Some members of the 10th Assembly were also members of the 9th Assembly, the question will now be, why did they not demand for accountability then?
Curiously, one wonder in the news report only one individual, Jimi Lawal, was mentioned as regards those to be investigated. This is not unexpected considering the influential and overbearing role he played in the last administration. Many are of the opinion that he is in the know of all the dealing that happened under the Elrufai administration. It is believed, if Jimi goes down, Elrufai will also go down. Lest we forget, the current Commissioner of Finance was the Accountant General of the State. She should also have some questions to answer if the past administration is to be probed.
The Ad-hoc committee should not forget to invite all the Heads of the Kaduna Public Procurement Authority, former and incumbent, to ascertain the extent of compliance to the Public Procurement law and guideline in the utilization of the loans. Likewise, the Office of the Auditor General of the State and Kaduna Anti-corruption Unit under the Ministry of Justice.
Finally, do the ad-hoc committee members have the independence and capacity to carry-out such a very sensitive and intellectually tasking responsibility? Aside from the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, the member representing Kawo has strong ties with Bello El-rufai and the majority leader got to her seat through the benevolence of Mallam Nasir Elrufai likewise that of Doka/Gabasawa Aminu Lawal.
Bako, a civil activist writes from Kaduna, Nigeria
