Kaduna LG funds: ALGON slams El-Rufai, exonerates Uba Sani from fraud

The Kaduna State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) says the allegation levelled by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai regarding the siphoning of funds was “false, patently absurd, and ill-intentioned”.

ALGON also stated that the allegations were 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 El-Rufai recently accused Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani of diverting local government funds to purchase property in Seychelles, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the spokesperson of Kaduna ALGON, Muhammad Shehu, said Sani’s 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,” Shehu said.

He added that Sani’s administration has been taking measures and executing programmes and projects to complement the efforts of local governments in Kaduna State.

Shehu stated: “Some of us served as Local Government Chairmen when 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 El-Rufai’s administration.

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“Apart from enhanced monthly allocations, we have been operating in an atmosphere devoid of harassment and intimidation, unlike El-Rufai’s era that was marked by highhandedness and coercion.

“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.

“Governor Uba Sani’s administration’s rural transformation programme has been pivotal in revitalising rural economies and giving rural dwellers a new lease of life.”

The ALGON spokesman further stated that the association expected El-Rufai to “cross-check his facts before going public”, adding that the chairmen of the 23 local governments in Kaduna State are settling down to the business of governance.

He urged members of the public to disregard the statement credited to El-Rufai because “they are wild allegations not supported by facts”.

The Star