Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused his successor, Governor Uba Sani, of diverting local government allocations and converting them into foreign currency to acquire properties abroad.
El-Rufai made these allegations during an interview on Freedom Radio Kaduna over the weekend, claiming that funds meant for local government councils were being mismanaged under the current administration.
Allegations of Foreign Asset Purchases
According to El-Rufai, large sums of money allocated to local governments in Kaduna are being siphoned off, converted to dollars, and used to purchase properties in Seychelles, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
“As I speak, no local government in Kaduna receives more than ₦50 million per month. Once the allocation arrives, they siphon it, exchange it into dollars, and use it to buy properties in Seychelles, South Africa, London, and other places,” he alleged.
He further claimed that while in office, he ensured local governments had full access to their funds after deductions for statutory obligations like education and healthcare.
“When I was governor, I never took a kobo from local government funds. We gave them their allocations to run their affairs. Both PDP and APC local government chairmen can testify to this.”
Bribery Allegations in Contract Awards
In addition to accusations of fund diversion, El-Rufai also alleged that Governor Sani demands kickbacks from contractors before awarding contracts.
“Uba goes to Abuja with contract documents, offers them to contractors, and takes 40% in kickbacks before awarding them. We know what is happening. They assume our silence means we are ignorant, but we know everything,” he said.
El-Rufai denied ever taking bribes during his tenure, stating that he had never personally handled contract negotiations and challenged anyone to come forward with evidence against him.
“I have never stolen a kobo from anyone. If there is any contractor who has given me a bribe, I challenge them to come forward. When ICPC investigated, many contractors confirmed they had never met me in person.”
Political Tension in Kaduna
These allegations signal rising tensions between the former governor and his successor. While Governor Uba Sani has yet to respond publicly, the accusations are likely to fuel further political scrutiny over Kaduna’s financial management.
This developing rift could shape the state’s political landscape in the coming months, especially if official investigations follow.
