Kaduna Local Govt Body Slams El-Rufai, Backs Governor Sani Amid Funding Allegations

Scope 03 Apr 2025

ALGON Rejects El-Rufai's Accusations Against Governor Uba Sani

In a strong rebuttal to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s claims, the Kaduna State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has come out swinging. They described El-Rufai's allegations that Governor Uba Sani misused local government funds for personal benefits abroad as baseless and misleading. This pushback came during a press conference held on Tuesday, where ALGON spokesperson Muhammad Lawal Shehu laid out the organization's stance.

Shehu didn’t mince words, asserting that Governor Sani has maintained the highest standards of financial transparency since taking office. He emphasized that Sani has not only respected the autonomy of local governments but has also ensured the proper management of public funds. This stands in stark contrast to El-Rufai’s tenure, according to Shehu, who accused the former governor of imposing what he termed “Riot Damage Deductions” on local governments in Southern Kaduna. These deductions, he argued, only served to deepen ethnic tensions in the region.

Commending Governor Sani's Leadership

ALGON didn’t stop at defending Governor Sani; they also praised his efforts to reverse the damaging policies of the previous administration. Shehu highlighted that Governor Sani has focused on rural development, economic revitalization, and enhancing security across the state. His administration has worked tirelessly to rebuild trust and foster stability where there was once discord.

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What’s more, the association noted that monthly allocations to local governments have skyrocketed under Governor Sani's leadership, surpassing the amounts disbursed during El-Rufai’s time. This increase, they argued, speaks volumes about Sani’s commitment to empowering local governments and ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive.

ALGON urged the public to disregard El-Rufai’s allegations, labeling them as unfounded and politically motivated. They emphasized that these claims only serve to distract from the positive strides Governor Sani has made for the people of Kaduna.

El-Rufai Hits Back, Accuses Sani of Political Sabotage

Not one to back down, El-Rufai fired back at Governor Uba Sani, alleging that his successor has been contracted by President Bola Tinubu to tarnish his political reputation ahead of the 2027 elections. El-Rufai made this assertion while responding to Governor Sani’s recent comments about the debt left behind by the former Kaduna administration.

During an interview with Freedom Radio Kaduna, which was later shared on YouTube, El-Rufai claimed that Governor Sani is acting on behalf of the Tinubu-led federal government. He alleged that the administration fears he might oppose them in the future, prompting them to enlist Sani’s help in weakening him politically.

El-Rufai elaborated, saying, “The reason Uba Sani is making these statements is that he was given a contract. He was given a contract that says: ‘Go and tarnish, destroy, and politically cripple Nasir El-Rufai because we believe he will fight Tinubu in the future.’ They said, ‘We have wronged him, and we believe he will challenge Tinubu later, so help us weaken him politically. That’s why you should raise the issue of Kaduna’s debt, and we will support you in return.’”

The former governor further alleged that the federal government is rewarding Governor Uba Sani by providing him with financial support for various projects in Kaduna State. He accused them of offering Sani carte blanche to manage funds as he sees fit, as long as he fulfills his end of the "contract" by targeting El-Rufai politically. According to El-Rufai, this arrangement reflects a broader strategy by the Tinubu administration to silence potential opponents.