The Kaduna State Chapter of Association Of Local Governments of Nigeria(ALGON) has said that the allegation levelled by ex Governor Nasir El Rufai regarding the siphoning of funds are false, patently absurd and ill-intentioned.
ALGON further said that ‘’ the allegations are meant to mislead the public, create disaffection, and ridicule the all -inclusive, pro-poor and people-oriented administration in Kaduna State. ‘’
It will be recalled that the former Governor had accused Governor Uba Sani of diverting local government funds to purchase property in Seychelles, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Addressing press conference on Tuesday, the spokesperson of ALGON, Alhaji Muhammad Lawal Shehu said that ‘’the Governor Uba Administration stands for the rule of law and due process.
‘’Transparency and accountability are its watchwords. It supports and respects the financial autonomy of Local Governments. It has never tampered with the funds of local governments,’’ he said.
The spokesman further added that on the contrary, the Uba Sani administration ‘’ has been taking measures and executing programmes and projects to complement the efforts of local governments.’’
Alhaji Muhammad recalled that ‘’some of us served as Local Government Chairmen when Mal. Nasir el-Rufai was in office as Governor. We can testify to the fact that what we have been receiving as monthly allocation since Senator Uba Sani became Governor is more than double the amount we received during Mal El-Rufai’s administration.
‘’Apart from enhanced monthly allocations, we have been operating in an atmosphere devoid of harassment and intimidation, unlike Mal El-Rufai’s era that was marked by highhandedness and coercion,’’ he added.
The spokesman further recalled ‘’that during his turbulent and divisive administration, Malam Nasir El-Rufai introduced and recklessly implemented ‘Riot Damage Deductions’ targeted at local governments in Southern Kaduna.
‘’It was a policy of “collective punishment” for Southern Kaduna people for not supporting his administration. This ill-advised action created disharmony and deepened inter-ethnic tensions in the state. Thankfully, this divisive policy has been reversed by the Senator Uba Uba Administration,’’ he added.
According to Alhaji Muhammad, ‘’Governor Uba Sani’s Administration’s Rural Transformation Programme has been pivotal in revitalizing rural economies and giving rural dwellers a new lease of life.
‘’Hitherto inaccessible areas have been opened up, rural agriculture has been revived, jobs are been created, and security and peace have been restored,’’ he further said.
The ALGON spokesman further said that the Association ‘’ expected a person of Mal. Nasir El-Rufai’s calibre to cross-check his facts before going public,’’ adding that ‘’Chairmen of the 23 Local Governments in Kaduna State are settling down to the business of governance.’’
‘’ We are in a hurry to address the developmental challenges facing our people. We enjoy the confidence and support of the Governor Uba Sani Administration. We have never had cause to complain about the government’s actions,’’ he disclosed.
The spokesman advised members of the public to disregard the statement credited to Mal. Nasir El-Rufai because ‘’they are wild allegations not supported by facts.’’
