FROM LUKA SHEKARA, KADUNA
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has declared his innocence in the ongoing investigation of his past administration by the Kaduna state government, insisting that he had no role in the alleged corrupt Practices in his eight years administration of the state
The former governor therefore expressed his willingness to swear with the Holy Quran to assert his innocence against allegations of financial misappropriation levelled against his administration.
Recall that the Kaduna State House of Assembly had accused El’rufai of misappropriation of money during its eight-year tenure from 2015 to 2023, saying that he plunged the state in huge local and foreign debts
But speaking during a Hausa program interview on Freedom Radio in Kaduna, El’rufai, who was also a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), stated that his motivation for entering politics was to serve the people, not to enrich himself.
He stated that if former governors of Kaduna were to swear with the Quran that they had not misappropriated public funds, he would gladly join them.
He stressed that he has no fear in proving his innocence with the Quran, reiterating that he never took any public funds.
However, he disclosed that he had instructed his lawyers to take legal action against those attempting to tarnish his reputation with corruption allegations.
El-Rufai said, “I did not join politics to steal money or enrich myself. I was satisfied with what I had before becoming governor.
“I have always prayed for guidance in all I do, and I strive not to betray the trust of the people. Whenever the former governors of Kaduna State and other leaders are ready to swear with the Quran that they never misappropriated public funds, I will join them. I have no fear because I know I never took money that belonged to the people.
“I have left everything to God’s judgment. I have prayed and will remain silent on the issue. I have instructed my lawyers to take legal action against those tarnishing my name, but for now, I’m focused on my activities like reading and writing.”