TheNewsGuru

Tag: Kaduna State

  • Kaduna assembly suspends 3 local govt Chairmen for mismanagement of fund

    Kaduna assembly suspends 3 local govt Chairmen for mismanagement of fund

    The Kaduna State House of Assembly has on Tuesday suspended three local government chairmen for mismanagement of fund in the course of project execution.

    The suspension was as a result of the three Chairmen allocating contracts without adhering to the the due process as enshrined in section 35 subsection 23 of the Kaduna state public procurement law, 2016.

    Reading the report in the chamber of the Assembly, the chairman ad-hoc committee on investigation and member representing Lere East, Munirat Sulaiman Tanimu said their committee thoroughly investigated the financial activities including the capital and recurrent expenditures of five local government areas namely Chikun, Kaura, Kagarko, Soba and Birnin Gwari.

    “Recall that on the 18th day of July 2023, the house resolved and mandated the ad-hoc committee on investigation to as a matter of urgency investigate the financial activities of the five local governments as enshrined in the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.”

    Explaining further, she said the ad-hoc committee sent out letters of invitation to the affected Chairmen and requested they to appear before them and mandated that they come with their financial documents alongside the director of finance, internal auditor, director project, deputy director finance, detailed document of bank statement of June 2022 to June 2023, departmental vault account DVA, approved budget for the year 2022 and 2023, capital and recurrent expenditure of the year 2022 and 2023, list of contracts awarded and level of achievement, outstanding balances, names of the contractors executing the contracts, copy of the company profile executing the projects and all clearances from the ministry of local governments from June 2022 to 2023.

    The committee after having studied all documents submitted to them realised that each of the chairmen of kaura, Kagarko and chikun have contravened section 48 of the local government administration law, 2018, which provided that all contracts to be executed by local governments shall be made in accordance with their budgets and in compliance with the public procurement law of the state and section 35 sub section 25 of the Kaduna state public procurement law 2016, which provided that procurement and disposal decision of the procuring entity shall be taken by the accounting officer who has been delegated with the responsibility for any action taken or omitted in compliance with the provision of this law.

    The committee chairman however said, having contravened section 48 of the local government administration law 2015 and section 35 sub section 25 of the Kaduna state public procurement law 2016, hereby recommend that they vacate their offices for the next six months and for further investigation on the matter.

    Adding, they should not vacate their offices unless they hand over to their vice Chairmen and should not be seen within the vicinity of the secretariat of the local government pending investigation.

    Munirat said, although the chairmen of Birnin Gwari and Soba local government were summoned before the committee but were not found wanting or violating any of the law, except for their inability to procure the 2023 approved budget from the ministry for local government which was a laxity for all the five local governments chairmen.

    “Hence, the chairman of Birnin Gwari and Soba be reprimanded for their laxity and for simply not procuring the approved the 2023 budget from the ministry for local government as and when due.”

    Contributing on the report, the speaker of the assembly, Yusuf Liman Dahiru who presided over the plenary called on all political office holders to desist from embezzling public fund because whoever is found wanting will be punished according to the law and without sentiment.

  • Committee chair debunks statement of projects’ abandonment in  Kaduna

    Committee chair debunks statement of projects’ abandonment in  Kaduna

    Chairman of the Project’s Verification Committee, Alh. Sabi’u Sani, has debunked a statement credited to him that some contractors in the previous administration received payment and abandoned projects in Kaduna State.

    ” I wish to clarify that I was misquoted and my statement was completely taken out of context,” the committee Chairman explained.

    Sani’s reaction in a statement titled: ‘Clarification On The Statement Credited To Me Regarding Ongoing Projects In Kaduna State’, followed news publictions making the rounds where he alleged that he was quoted saying that some contractors collected money and abandoned projects in Kaduna state.

    According to Sani, in a statement made available to newsmen at the weekend, ” the primary mandate of the committee is to determine the status of ongoing projects and those in the pipeline, in order to ensure the speedy completion of all priority projects in the state.

    ” I shared with the media information on the extent of work on some of the projects and what the contractors informed us are required to speedily complete the projects. The statement credited to me that some contractors collected payments and abandoned their projects is incorrect and merely a product of the fertile imagination of the reporters.”

    In the statement, the Chairman of the Committee added that: ” the committee visited some project sites on Friday, 14th July, 2023. At the end of the visits, I addressed the media on the Committee’s mandate, our findings so far and next steps.

    “In the course of the interaction, some media team members attached to the Government House asked some questions on the visitation which I responded to as follows: “that we are amazed by the number and quality of projects so far completed, and that several projects are at completion level with some requiring minimal funds to complete.

    “I also mentioned that some were being delayed due to ongoing compensation issues, especially where some residential areas are affected, where I also said that our report will guide the Government in prioritising some projects and speedily completing them in fulfillment of its promises to the people of Kaduna State.”

    Sani who expressed displeasure on how he was misquoted in the media further explained that: ” one reporter then asked a question about those who collected payments and abandoned their project sites, to which I responded that every project has its record. If there is a proven case of collection of payment and abandonment of project, the State Government knows the right step to take in the circumstance.”

     

  • Kaduna Governorship Election: INEC rejects own documents

    Kaduna Governorship Election: INEC rejects own documents

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (lNEC) on Wednesday objected the adoption of the deposition made by one of its staff who appeared as a witness before the Governorship Election Petition Court in Kaduna.

    The witness, Mr Bonet Gwaza, a Senior System Analyst with INEC, had on July 11 presented some governorship election documents before the tribunal.

    Among the documents he presented were the INEC voters register for Kauru, Lere, Zaria and Igabi Local Government Areas (LGAs);  BVAs report and Form EC40G for Igabi West constituency.

    INEC Counsels, Abdullahi Aliyu, however objected to the validity and admissibility of the documents.

    Similarly, Duru Adeleye and Abdul Muhammad, Counsel for Gov. Uba Sani and the All Progressives Congress, rejected the documents presented by the witness.

    The respondents’ counsel said they would file reasons for the objection in their final written addresses.

    In spite of the objections, the tribunal admitted the documents and deposition made by Gwaza, who appeared as witness for the PDP governorship candidate, Isa Ashiru.

    Also at Wednesday’s sitting, another witness, Danjuma Bello-Sarki, presented more exhibits to prove the petitioners claim that the elections was rigged.

    Bello-Sarki was the PDP state collation officer for the March 18, 2023 governorship election in Kaduna State.

    He tendered duplicate copies of the results from all the 8, 012 polling units of the state in which he stated that 65 polling units were wrongly cancelled by INEC.

    Other exhibits presented were IREV report, number of registered voters, among others.

    The withness was cross examined accordingly by the respondents and was discharged by the court.

    Meanwhile, the petitioner’s counsel, Samuel Atung prayed for an adjournment for them to present more witnesses.

    Justice Victor Oviawie, who heads the three-man panel, adjourned the case till July 19, for the petitioners to present more witnesses.

  • 2023 Poll : INEC begins post election review in Kaduna

    2023 Poll : INEC begins post election review in Kaduna

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Kaduna State has commenced the post election reviews of the 2023 general elections to tackle recorded challenges.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Auwal Mashi stated this during the commission’s meeting with stakeholders on Tuesday In Kaduna.

    Represented by the Head of Electronic Operations INEC Kaduna Office, Hussaini Ali Muhammad said the purpose of the review was to improve the future conduct of elections and to consolidate Nigeria’s democracy.

    According to him, the internal review will involve the commission’s regular and adhoc staff including electoral officers and their assistants, head of departments, administrative secretaries, some presiding officers, collation and returning officers.

    “The review which will focus on all aspects of the electoral activities of the election, the commission however will welcome all actionable recommendations from stakeholders towards strengthening institutional capacity for the discharge of their responsibilities and enhancement of processes and procedures” the REC said.

    He stated that after the review, the lessons learnt from the 2023 elections and solutions would be provided to the challenges facing the process of election.

    The head of department voter registry and ICT INEC Kaduna, Umar Buhari Ali explained that the review would basically x-ray the successes and failures of INEC in the 2023 general election.

    “What we are trying to do is to look at the various factors that contributed to the success stories INEC was able to record during the last election.

    ” We are also looking at places where we have challenges so that we can improve for better in the 2027 election, saying, this is something the commission does after every election so that it will have a guide towards it’s policy decision making.”

  • El-Rufai’s viral video: Southern Kaduna elders beg Tinubu to create Gurara State

    El-Rufai’s viral video: Southern Kaduna elders beg Tinubu to create Gurara State

    Following the video that went viral by Ex-Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai on how he suppressed Christians, the Southern Kaduna Leaders Council has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to revisit the 2014 conference report and create another state out of Kaduna.

    Recall that El-rufai in a nearly six-minute video which trended on social media, could be seen meeting with Islamic clerics ahead of his exit from office, justifying his choice of Muslims occupying top positions in the Kaduna State Government as against Christians.

    He claimed that the Muslims overwhelmingly voted for the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the last election.

    The comments prompted outrage from several quarters including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), accusing El-Rufai of dividing the people of Kaduna along fault lines during his eight-year tenure as governor.

    The Southern Kaduna Leaders Council, in a statement issued by its chairman, Ishaya Akau said el-Rufai’s viral video was an eye opener and call on the federal government to create Gurara State.

    The statement reads: “We hereby wish to let the nation and international community know of the heinous plans and to draw the attention of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the 2014 National Constitutional Conference where it was agreed to create Gurara State from the present Kaduna State and to invite the president to activate the demand which has gone through the constitutional process of obtaining the consent of two thirds of the 36 Houses of Assembly in the Federation.

    “The nation and international community should know that the Southern Kaduna region was recorded to have above three million people by 2006, and present projections show that there are now above six million people in the area.

    The total land size of Southern Kaduna is above 26,000 square kilometres. Southern Kaduna is larger in population than 21 states in population, and larger in land size than 26 states in Nigeria.

    There are 58 ethnic groups in Southern Kaduna, with similar culture, traditions and beliefs.

    “The Southern Kaduna people are requesting for protection from the government of Kaduna State, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the African Union and the United Nations. We call on the international community, to constitute a visitation panel to ascertain the genocide orchestrated and supervised under the Islamist regime run by Nasir el Rufai as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.

    “We now know that propaganda by certain disgruntled elements in our midst has had the tacit support of the government. The Southern Kaduna Leadership Council, and indeed the people of Southern Kaduna will not use the statements of Nasir El Rufai to determine how we live and relate with Muslims, settlers or visitors to Southern Kaduna. We are a peaceful people and will follow peaceful and lawful means in pursuit of our goal of surviving as a people under the regime of hostility and hate instituted and handed down as a legacy by Nasir El-Rufai in Kaduna State. However we will not fail to tell our people to defend their lives, lands and heritage.

    “The Southern Kaduna Leadership Council, desirous of developing harmonious and peaceful relations with all the citizens and people of Kaduna State, call on the present government not to follow the path of their predecessor,” the elders said.

  • BREAKING: Court dismisses El-Rufai’s libel, defamation suit against Shehu Sani

    BREAKING: Court dismisses El-Rufai’s libel, defamation suit against Shehu Sani

    A Kaduna High Court has dismissed a libel and defamation suit filed by the former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai against the former Senator Shehu Sani representing Kaduna central senatorial district.

    The trial judge, Justice HAL Balogun while delivering his judgment on Thursday dismissed the El-Rufai’s suit filed on the ground that it was an abuse of court process.

    The judgment which was predicated on the fact that the plaintiff filed several suit over same cause of action before several court in Kaduna State.

    The defence counsel, Barr. Kimi Livingstone Appah had initially filed a notice of preliminary objection to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit on the ground that the same case was filed in four different courts in the state.

    Addressing journalists after the ruling, described the ruling as a victory for democracy and freedom of expression.

    It would be recalled that El-Rufai had in 2018 filed a N2 billion suit against Shehu Sani. He sought reliefs for alleged injuries suffered as a result of “statements” made by Sani.

    El-Rufai said Sani defamed him by referring to him as a “drunk, loose cannon and an embarrassment to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The two politicians have over the years been involved in a series of altercations based on their political differences.

  • Gunmen abduct two APC women leaders, others in Kaduna

    Two women leaders of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), have been reportedly kidnapped by bandits along the Manini flashpoint in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    It was gathered that the two APC members were kidnapped on the Inauguration day of the new government in the state.

    The Chairman, Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressive Union, Ishaq Kasai confirmed the development to news men on Wednesday, saying that the bandits took the women to the forest.

    According to him, other persons were kidnapped alonside the two women leaders of the party.

    He identified the abducted women leaders as Hajiya Lami Awarware and her assistant, Hajiya Haulatu Aliyu.

    He said they are yet to hear or receive any ransom for the abductors/

    As at the time of filing this report, the Kaduna Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Jalige is yet to comment on the matter.

     

     

  • El-Rufai approves deposition of two Kaduna Monarchs, sacks three others

    El-Rufai approves deposition of two Kaduna Monarchs, sacks three others

    Barely a week to the expiration of his second tenure in office, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has, approved the deposition of the traditional rulers of Piriga and Arak Chiefdoms, His Highness, Jonathan Paragua Zamuna and His Highness, General Aliyu Iliyah Yammah(retd.), respectively.

    State Commissioner of Local Government, Hajiya Umma Ahmad, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying that the two traditional rulers cease to hold their respective offices from Monday, 22nd May 2023.

    The commissioner added that the depositions followed recommendations from the Ministry of Local Government in line with the provisions of Section 11 of the Traditional Institutions Law No. 21 of 2021.

    “The District Head of Garun Kurama, Babangida Sule, will oversee the affairs of Piriga Chiefdom, pending the appointment of a new chief, while the Council Secretary has been directed to initiate the process for the appointment of a new Chief.

    “Gomna Ahmadu, the Council Secretary of Arak Chiefdom, will oversee the affairs of the chiefdom and also initiate the process for the appointment of a new Chief.”

    The statement noted that “the government found unacceptable the response of General Iliyah Yammah to the query regarding his appointment of four district heads, contrary to the one approved for his chiefdom, and his non-residence within Arak chiefdom.

    “The deposition of Jonathan Zamuna follows the recent communal clashes between the Gure and Kitimi communities of Piriga chiefdom in Lere LGA, and his non-residence within the chiefdom.”

    The governor also announced the immediate disengagement of the village heads of Aban, Abujan Mada and Anjil in Arak Chiefdom.

     

  • Gov El-Rufai challenges predecessors over embezzlement

    Gov El-Rufai challenges predecessors over embezzlement

    The Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufa has challenged his predecessors to come out and swear with the Holy Quran to prove that they did not embezzle public funds while in office.

    Governor EL-Rufai, who spoke with the Hausa service of the Kaduna State Media Corporation claimed that most of the former governors tampered with the government’s coffers during their tenure.

    He gave the challenge while reacting to the opposition’s criticisms of some of his policies, insisting that he has never stolen government money.

    ”I didn’t build any mansion, I don’t need it. I didn’t steal anybody’s money and I am challenging everyone that has governed this state to come out and swear with the Qur’an that, when they were governing the state, they didn’t steal a kobo of Kaduna resources that is not their entitlement.

    “I swear to God, I will do that swearing. So, I am challenging all of them. Everyone should come out and face the people of Kaduna State and tell them he didn’t steal their money,” he said.

    El-rufai will be completing his eight years tenure next week.

  • Only El-Rufai can speak truth to power in Nigeria, says Wike

    Only El-Rufai can speak truth to power in Nigeria, says Wike

    Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has described his counterpart, governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state as fearless and outspoken Nigerian who can speak truth to power in the country.

    The governor spoke yesterday  during a book presentation on  El-Rufai, authored by a veteran journalist and public commentator, Mr. Emmanuel Ado,  titled, “Putting The People First”.

    Wike noted that only El-Rufai had the temerity and courage to do so, even to the ruling party he belongs, adding that he (El-Rufai) is not known for sycophancy and eye services.

    He recalled how El-Rufai wrote a controversial letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, telling him to deliver good governance to the people despite being a member of the ruling  All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Wike who donated N20 million for the book launch advised other guests at the occasion to buy the books and stock them in public and private school libraries across the country.

    “El-Rufai, for me, is one leader whose greatness defies categorization. Governor El-Rufai embodies character, commitment and hard work. He is bold. He is courageous and daring with a strong spirit of justice, equity and fairness. He is socio-politically assertive and unbending his loyalty to principles.

    “Governor El-Rufai is never known to be sycophant. I could remember his controversial letter to President Muhammad Buhari, especially the one written in March, 2017 that challenged him to deliver the peoples expectations to avoid falling on the wrong side of history.

    “I don’t know how many governors that will have the courage to write a sitting president of his party to say, ‘look, do the right thing’ being the expectations of the people, so that you will not be on the wrong side of history. It takes men of courage; it takes men of character. No sychophantic person can do it. I don’t know people who can even look at the president’s face. Everything that Mr. President does is right. Mr. President does no wrong. That’s not El-Rufai for you.

    “His loyalty to principles is not for not telling the truth. And that is what leadership and the kind of character that we required for this country today. Those who will look at you eye ball-to-eye ball, not an insulting way, but to advise you, this is not right. And that is why some of us have no choice but to relate with him.

    “You remember what happened in this country. El-Rufai was one of the APC governors who came out boldly to say look for the unity of this country; for this country to move forward, let the presidency go to the south. After all, he has all it takes to say, to also said he will vie for the presidency of this country. You can’t say no.  But he said this is the country we are building together, we want unity to move forward.

    “I don’t know how many people that can set aside their selfish interest and come out to say let us go to the south. And that’s why we will  say “agreement is agreement.” El-Rufai believes that agreement is agreement. Keep to what  we have agreed.

    That’s why when I saw the invitation, this morning, it was raining heavily, I said if it likes, let there be flood everywhere, I must be here today, to participate, honour a man who has shown  characters; who has shown that service is not all about getting to be elected. It’s a privilege to render service to your people. That is why he has chosen the people first; he has put Nigeria first. You are on the right side of history.

    “Remember that it is only when you have left office that is when people will talk about you. Not when you are in office. People are talking today when you were FCT Minister. Let us compare. When you were FCT Minister, I am sorry to say this, whether anybody likes it or not, that is not Abuja today.

    “When you were FCT Minister, it was not the same. We need people like you to turn back to what Abuja used to be. FCT was a place everybody wanted to go back to. But today, go to the FCT, refuse everywhere. That was not there when you were a minister. I am sorry this is your party but the truth must be told.

    “I believe that today’s event has deeper meaning than the book launch. It is more an opportunity to celebrate governor El-Rufai’s exemplary leadership, revolutionary ideas, courage and commitment to service and contribution to the growth and development of Kaduna State and Nigeria in the last eight years as governor of Kaduna State”.

    Meanwhile, El-Rufai appreciated Wike for all the accolades about him, saying, “our path may not have crossed long before now,  but God’s time is the best. Whatever Wike said about me is also applicable to him, he is as outspoken and as fearless.

    The President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu described governor El-Rufai as a hardworking person, saying, “give El-Rufai any task, he will deliver it.”

    Tinubu who was represented at the occasion by the former Chairman of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Kashim Imam, donated N20 million for the book launch.

    Over N100 million was realised on the spot from the book launch.