El-Rufai Faces Accusations: Former Official Exposes Alleged Mismanagement Of Local Govt Funds

Breaking Down the Controversy: A Former Kaduna Official Calls Out El-Rufai

Let’s talk about a major development in Kaduna State politics. Kabiru Jarimi, a former Secretary of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kaduna State, has come forward with some explosive claims. He’s accusing none other than the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, of allegedly siphoning funds from local government coffers during his tenure. This isn’t just a casual accusation—it’s a direct challenge to El-Rufai’s integrity and governance record.

According to Jarimi, El-Rufai’s recent statement claiming that he never interfered with local government funds is far from the truth. In fact, Jarimi argues that El-Rufai’s administration engaged in practices that deprived local governments of their rightful allocations. This is a serious charge, and it’s one that could reshape the public narrative around El-Rufai’s legacy.

El-Rufai’s Claims Under Scrutiny

Naija News reported that El-Rufai, in a recent interview, accused his successor, Governor Uba Sani, of diverting local government funds to purchase properties in high-end locations like Seychelles, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. El-Rufai claimed, “As I speak, no local government in Kaduna receives more than N50 million per month. Once the allocation arrives, they siphon it, exchange it into dollars, and use it to buy properties in Seychelles, South Africa, London, and other places.”

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But here’s the twist—Jarimi is now pushing back hard against these allegations. Speaking to reporters, he described El-Rufai’s claims as misleading. He insists that local governments in Kaduna State were routinely shortchanged under El-Rufai’s watch. According to Jarimi, funds were deducted from the councils’ allocations under various pretexts, leaving them strapped for resources.

“I was absolutely shocked when I heard El-Rufai make that comment,” Jarimi said. “Local government funds were being deducted without our approval, and this was especially true for Southern Kaduna LGAs. We never received our full allocations under El-Rufai. His administration kept introducing policies that unnecessarily deducted funds. There were times when I even considered resigning because we often didn’t have enough funds for overhead costs after paying salaries.”

Unpacking the Allegations: What Really Happened?

Jarimi went further, alleging that El-Rufai justified these deductions by claiming they were necessary to settle workers’ salaries. However, Jarimi argues that the state government devised additional mechanisms to withdraw even more funds. He pointed to the creation of entities like the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority, Zaria Metropolitan Authority, and Kafanchan Municipal Authority as tools to short-change local governments.

“Salaries were shared 60-40 between the capital territories and the local governments around them,” Jarimi explained. “In Kaduna South, deductions were made in the name of sanitation, forcing us to remit funds to the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority every month. These practices left local governments struggling to meet their obligations.”

Jarimi also challenged El-Rufai to account for where the deducted funds went, particularly the security and riot damage funds. He questioned the transparency surrounding these accounts, stating, “We contributed to a security fund, yet no former LGA chairman can account for how it was used. The same applies to the riot damage fund—no LGA benefited from it. I challenge the former Governor to explain where the money went.”

Uba Sani’s Reforms: A Breath of Fresh Air?

Jarimi praised Governor Uba Sani for reversing many of the policies he says were detrimental to local governments under El-Rufai’s administration. He highlighted the abolition of the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority, Zaria Metropolitan Authority, and Kafanchan Municipal Authority, as well as the discontinuation of the security and riot damage funds. These changes, Jarimi believes, represent a step in the right direction.

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So, what does all of this mean for Kaduna State politics? It’s clear that the controversy surrounding El-Rufai’s governance is far from over. As accusations fly back and forth, one thing is certain—Kaduna residents are watching closely to see how their leaders will address these issues and ensure accountability going forward.