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Tag: Nasir El-Rufai

  • Ministerial appointment: Quranic memorisers urge Tinubu not to swear in El- Rufai

    Ministerial appointment: Quranic memorisers urge Tinubu not to swear in El- Rufai

    Coalition of Quranic Memorisers and Reciters has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to swear in former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai as minister in the interest of Justice.

    The Director of Education Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation who addressed journalists in Bauchi on behalf of the clerics, Sheikh Sidi Aliyu Sise, asked Tinubu to tread with caution and not to swear in unjust politicians with questionable character.

    He said the nomination of El-Rufai and his screening by the National Assembly was injustice to Qur’anic memorisers and reciters.

    “Now the ball is in the court of Mr President, as Nigerian leader, he should look in to the country with the eyes of Justice, he should look in to the plight of the oppressed, not to succumb to pressure to swear in El-rufa’i a man who oppressed Almajirai under his leadership when he was a governor.”

    “We demand for justice as a result of injustice, harassment, trauma, and difficulties encountered by our disciples, teachers and many Qur’anic Scholars, when he evacuated our innocent pupils from the House of Maulana Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi in Kaduna to unknown destination,

    “We want to know our offence, that is why we demand for justice from the federal Government because swearing in Elr-ufa’i as minister, we will take it that you are in support of the injustice we suffered in his hand when he was a Governor of Kaduna.

    “Now that El-Rufa’i is out of office, we demand for justice rather than for the government to contemplate making him a minister. Any government that prides itself on carrying all along with justice and fairness should not be seen to patronise the likes of the former governor of Kaduna State. We hope that President Tinubu will come out clean on the El-Rufai issue, by ensuring justice to the people he oppressed when he was a Governor, at that time he had immunity and we don’t want to heat the tension in the interest of peace considering the large followers of Maulana Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi,” he added

    Recall that the Nigerian Senate on Monday failed to confirm EL-Rufai over securities clearance

     

  • Tinubu inviting trouble to his government by bringing El-Rufai, says Shehu Sani

    Tinubu inviting trouble to his government by bringing El-Rufai, says Shehu Sani

    Former senator who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial district, Shehu Sani, has said President Bola Tinubu invited trouble to his government by bringing Nasir El-Rufai into his administration as a minister.

    Sani while featuring on a Channels TV programme on Saturday said that El-Rufai would cause conflict between Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima as he allegedly did during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    Scrutinising Tinubu’s ministerial nominees’ list, the former senator said: “I have seen people that are undeserving to even contemplate them being ministers and particularly is the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.

    “Unfortunately, President Tinubu will pick El-Rufai and I don’t know for any reason why he should do that. And I have my point and I believe that if President Tinubu is listening to me or any person, a friend, a supporter, or a fan who is close, I will make some prophecies about what is going to happen with El-Rufai in this government in the next few years.

    “First of all, if you are nominating El-Rufai based on integrity and transparency and you said maybe you shouldn’t appoint or nominate former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje on the issues of allegations that have been online over time, and he (El-Rufai) too has allegations against him, because there has been an outstanding issue of N32 billion federal government property against El-Rufai, which issue is now in court.”

    Sani explained that his trial was stalled in 2015 after he was elected governor of Kaduna State, adding, “That issue is there before Justice Binta Nyako in the Federal High Court.”

    “Secondly, this government has run under the ticket of Muslim-Muslim ticket and it has been doing everything possible to appease and please the Christian population in this country that the government is not about theocracy.” “That’s not about Islamisation and is not about any religious agenda but simply a political strategy to win an election but here you are enlisting and employing a man who has by his record and by his antecedent and his conduct and utterances; has appeared to be most intolerant Nigerian in the history of this country.”

    Speaking on a recent video clips where El-Rufai made a cynical statement about the Muslim-Muslim government in the country, Sani asked why President Tinubu appointed El-Rufai as a minister.

    “A video has been in circulation where this person has made a statement on religious agenda in this country and by that, he has irritated and triggered a national conversation as long as this issue of government is concerned and now you are bringing him close to you.

    “But for all I know there are many people who have supported and worked for Tinubu and Tinubu has been reputed to have always selected the best from his state and has been able to make a record out of that.

    “So it was expected that the list of ministers that he is going to present before the country should take cognizance of the time that this has lasted and that they are going to be any of these two first of all is going to be a clear break from the past and secondly, there should be men of integrity, honour, and competency.”

    Asked if it looks like a break from the past, Sani said, “It is not a break from the past because El-Rufai served as a minister under the Obasanjo administration and I believe he also served as a governor. Is there no person in this country that is qualified enough from Kaduna State to be appointed minister?”

    On whether El-Rufai can do well in Tinubu’s government, Sani said, “Obasanjo and Tinubu are two different people and there are many things that happened under Obasanjo regime and I believe Tinubu is simply inviting trouble and danger to himself by inviting El-Rufai to his government.

    “Take for example, this El-Rufai in Tinubu’s Government I know there are three things that are going to happen; first of all, he will plot against Shettima and he is going to plant discord between Tinubu and Shettima. He has a track record of doing that: he did that between Atiku and Obasanjo. El-Rufai was at the centre of what happened between Obasanjo and Atiku Abubakar.

    “Secondly, El-Rufai will not limit himself to the ministry. If you set him to works, aviation, or power, he will not limit himself to his ministry, he will meddle in every ministry in government and he did that. When he was the FCT minister, he fought Kema Chikwe, who was Minister of Aviation, he fought Adamu Bello who was Minister of Agriculture.”

    Sani stressed that El-Rufai also fought the head of service in the Obasanjo government.

     

  • Ex-Gov El-Rufai speaks on how leadership should be like in Nigeria

    Ex-Gov El-Rufai speaks on how leadership should be like in Nigeria

    Former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has harped on the need to practice the culture of citizens-centred governance in the country.

    Malam El-Rufai stressed that citizens-centred governance should be encouraged in the country to drive even development.

    El-Rufai spoke on Sunday at the launch of an autobiography and retirement programme of Prof. Ishaq Akintola in Lagos.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Akintola, a Lagos State University (LASU) lecturer, doubles as the Founder of Muslim Rights Concerns (MURIC).

    He bows out of the university service on Monday, on attainment of the statutory retirement age of 70, and the book, entitled “My Jihad”,  x-rayed his activist struggles and achievements through perseverance, to encourage young social crusaders.

    El-Rufai, who was the keynote speaker and awardee at the programme, said with the present political advancement of the country, any political mobilisation based on ethnic or religious leaning was bound to fail.

    He said that the enthronement of Tinubu-Shettima was a repeat of Abiola-Kingibe’s feat.

    According to him the sound-footing with which the Tinubu leadership was going had deflected the ranks of those that did not see any good in the same faith ticket that propelled them to power.

    “As a people, the earlier we distil ourselves from the primordial ethnoreligious perception of things, especially as it concerns national leadership, the better for us.

    “The way with which the present administration at the centre is changing things for the common good of the Nigerian people within a short period shows that leadership should be hinged on merit and not entitlement basis.

    “We must de-emphasise religion and ethnic colouration for us to build a society where no one should be discriminated against on the basis of ethnic nationality, religion or political leaning.

    “As members of the two major religious groups in the country, if we find ourselves in public positions, we should ensure we practice the basic principles of leadership as encapsulated in both Christian and Islamic religions.

    “Both religions espoused the culture of good leadership, but some individual persons tend to do that which is at variance with the scriptures,” he said.

    He regretted that leadership choice based on entitlement in Kaduna State plunged the state into protracted crisis in the bygone years.

    The former governor, however, said a recent change in the old tradition of leadership choice had changed things for the better.

    He described the South-Western part of the country as a tolerant society and encouraged them to continue with such spirit for the development of the country.

    The former governor expressed delight in the tempo of religious activism of the celebrator with his MURIC organisation.

    El-Rufai said that the crusader, through his preaching and bridge-building across the divide, was instrumental to the power shift from the North to the South in 2023.

    He commended the celebrator for his vigour in the pursuit of uprightness and a just Nigerian society, praying that Allah would continue to grant him wisdom to do his work.

    At the event, the former Kaduna Governor was awarded the symbol “Icon of Ariwa Intigrity” for his service to humanity.

    Other awardees include former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami and former Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Muiz Banire.

    The event drew personalities from academia, state actors, religious groups and the corporate world.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Tinubu’s cabinet: Gov El-Rufai denies lobbying for Chief of Staff

    Tinubu’s cabinet: Gov El-Rufai denies lobbying for Chief of Staff

    Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has denied he is jostling to become Chief of Staff in President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.

    El-Rufai stated this on Saturday while addressing newsmen in Gombe when he was in the State to inaugurate the construction of 550 housing units and Gombe Geographic Information Systems (GOGIS) Service Centre.

    He described the reports on the different portfolios being assigned to him and published on national dailies as “mere speculations”.

    The governor said he was more interested in contributing to the development of Nigeria than jostling for positions.

    El-Rufai noted that being in government was not the only way to contribute to Nigeria’s development, saying even if he was not in government, he would remain committed to the progress of the country.

    “I have not had that discussion with the president-elect and I don’t like to speculate.

    “I read in the newspapers all kinds of portfolios assigned to me but you know, I am a committed Nigerian.

    “I want to see my country make progress and whatever I can do to contribute to the development of the country, I will do it.

    “But, I don’t have to do it working in government. Everyone who is working either in the private sector or the civil society is contributing.

    “There is not just one way to contribute to the country and I will never stop working for Nigeria’s progress,” he said.

    The governor said upon leaving office in the next 22 days, he would take a break but be available to provide advice, where needed, on how to move the country forward.

    “I will be in the private sector, not any chief of staff. I will take a break and advise people like Governor Inuwa Yahaya if they need it,” he said.

    On Tinubu’s presidency from May 29, El-Rufai said Nigerians would not regret voting the president-elect, stressing that better days were ahead of Nigerians under Tinubu.

  • Buhari to relocate from Daura to Kaduna by 2024

    Buhari to relocate from Daura to Kaduna by 2024

    If he does not change his mind, Nigeria’s outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari will relocate from his Daura village in Katsina State to Kaduna State by 2024.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari had repeatedly held that he will live somewhere far away from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after he left office on 29 May 2023.

    However, at the State House when he received members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) led by their Chairman, Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi on Thursday, Buhari spoke at length about his retirement proposal.

    While thanking Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna for infrastructural development in the State, Buhari disclosed he intends to be at home in Daura for six months before moving eventually to Kaduna.

    The retiring President said El-Rufai had provided infrastructures that would make the life for his retirement and that of the people of the State much better, adding that the Governor of Kano had equally done well.

  • El-Rufai threatens to expose Kaduna ex-govs for pilfering the state treasury

    El-Rufai threatens to expose Kaduna ex-govs for pilfering the state treasury

    The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has threatened to expose ex-governors of the state for pilfering the state treasury, challenging them to swear that they never did so.

    El-Rufai pointed out that he is ready to swear to prove he is telling the truth.

    Challenging his predecessors, the governor also said they (ex-governors of the Kaduna State) should come out to swear, if their hands are clean.

    El-Rufai said this in an interview in Hausa monitored on a local television and radio station, where he explained that his philosophy in governance was not to steal, adding that he is aware that there would be a day of reckoning.

    I did not steal anybody’s money and I am challenging those who governed Kaduna to come out and swear that they’ve never stolen money

    Stating that all loans secured to facilitate projects in the state during his administration were used only for the specified projects, El-Rufai said, “The people can see that we executed those projects with the loans we secured. We did not syphon the money to Dubai and buy houses, or go to Jabi road and build a mansion.

    “We are not like such people. I became the governor of Kaduna State with only one house located at Danja Street in Unguwan Sarki Kaduna. I’ve completed my tenure, Alhamdulillah…that is my only house. I don’t have any other house. I didn’t build a mansion. I don’t even need it.

    “I did not steal anybody’s money and I am challenging those who governed Kaduna to come out and swear that they’ve never stolen money, they should swear that they’ve not taken a kobo from Kaduna State.

    El-Rufai threatens to expose Kaduna ex-govs for pilfering the state treasury
    Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai,

    “Wallahi, l am ready to swear. I am challenging them (former governors) to come out, face the people of Kaduna State and swear that they’ve never stolen the people’s money.”

    Continuing he said, “We know them, they are neither the children of Dantata ( legendary Kano billionaire) nor the children of Dangote. We know them right from our school days. Where do they get the money to build those houses? What was their profession?”

    I’m happy that we constructed qualitative roads that would last for years, not those kinds of roads they’ve constructed in the past

    The governor, however, stated that his administration still had work to do but boasted about the works already completed, especially the roads constructed in the state.

    He said, “I’m happy that we constructed qualitative roads that would last for years, not those kinds of roads they’ve constructed in the past which after two years, after two rainy seasons the roads would be bad.

    “We still have work to do. Our plan is that we want all roads in Kaduna to be tarred. Anyone who comes to Kaduna would not see a muddy road. Every part of the town you visit will have tarred roads and solar powered street lights. That’s what we envisaged everywhere in Kaduna, in Kafanchan, in Zaria and in all Local Government Areas such as Soba, everywhere. That is what we want to see.”

    “However, we couldn’t realise all our development plans because of the situation this government met. In fact we had to seek loans to execute those projects.”

  • BREAKING: CBN allegedly destroys old N500, N1,000 banknotes

    BREAKING: CBN allegedly destroys old N500, N1,000 banknotes

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is claimed to have destroyed the old N500 and N1,000 banknotes after withdrawing them from circulation.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai made this disclosure in a statement on Wednesday.

    The statement was released by Governor El-Rufai’s Special Adviser on Media & Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye.

    He disclosed that senior officials of the federal government (FG) reached out to some Governors, including El-Rufai, on the phone to initiate discussions on a possible out of court settlement.

    “They claimed that the CBN had already destroyed the old N500 and N1000 notes that had been deposited, but that those persons who still held the old notes could redeem them up to 10 April 2023,” he stated.

    However, the Kaduna State Governor believes that this is a false claim, stressing that it is contrary to the fact available to Governors to the effect that the old notes were in the custody of commercial bank branches throughout Nigeria and that not a single note had been destroyed.

    The Kaduna State Governor disclosed that the terms the senior government officials proposed were to allow only the old N200 note to remain legal tender and be circulated by the CBN till 10 April 2023.

    Recall that a few hours after the Supreme Court adjourned the currency redesign case today, TheCable published an exclusive story regarding the intentions of the FG on the matter.

    El-Rufai in the statement clarified that TheCable was misled by its sources on the issue.

    “There has been no meeting this week between the FG and either the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) or the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), not to talk of one lasting till the wee hours of today, Wednesday, 15 February 2023.

    “Rather, senior officials of the FG reached some governors, including Malam Nasir El-Rufai, on phone to initiate discussions on a possible out of court settlement.

    “The terms they proposed were to allow only the old N200 note to remain legal tender and be circulated by the CBN till 10 April 2023.

    “They claimed that the CBN had already destroyed the old N500 and N1000 notes that had been deposited, but that those persons who still held the old notes could redeem them up to 10 April 2023,” the statement reads.

    According to the statement, these were not considered as serious proposals, for obvious reasons.

    It states: “Circulating the old N200 notes alone would not be sufficient to relieve widespread human suffering in Kaduna State, and indeed in Nigeria today.They knew that and that is why they falsely claimed that the CBN had already destroyed the old N500 and N1000 notes.

    “This is contrary to the fact available to the governors to the effect that the old notes were in the custody of commercial bank branches throughout Nigeria until the evening of Monday, February 13, and not a single N500 or N1000 had been destroyed.

    “It is also a non-starter to insist on a new cut off date without first assuring that sufficient new notes would have been printed and circulated.

    “Information available to the governors also indicates that the Mint will need at least 12 months to print the minimum amount of N1 trillion needed to ensure a functioning trade and exchange environment in Nigeria.

    “The tabling of false facts, inadequate solutions to the sufferings of our people, and the bad faith that some of the FG negotiators displayed in our phone conversations and chats have now been taken further in leaking a false account and context to a respected medium.

    “The plaintiff governors rejected the draft proposal as insincere, and invested our hopes in the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

    “Malam Nasir El-Rufai will be addressing the people of Kaduna State on this currency redesign mess, the consequences of the extension of the injunction of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, and related matters tomorrow.

    “But the Kaduna State Government feels it is important tonight not to allow an exclusive falsehood to stand, or even gain the slightest traction. This statement is therefore issued to put the records straight”.