The Guardian (Nigeria)

IPAC urges Kaduna gov to probe debts El- Rufai left behind

Islamic cleric slams ex- gov for allegedly punishing citizens

- From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna Read the remaining story on www. guardian. ng

Fthe concerns raised by Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, over the staggering debt profile of the state, Inter- Party Advisory Council ( IPAC) has advised Sani to immediatel­y constitute a commission of enquiry that will unravel the actual debts his administra­tion inherited from his predecesso­r, Nasir el- Rufai.

Similarly, a renowned Islamic Cleric in Zaria, Sherif Zaria, has condemned elRufai’s administra­tion for the mounting debts in the state, while accusing him of inflicting sorrow and pain on

Kaduna citizens.

At a press briefing in Kaduna, yesterday, the Chairman of IPAC in the state, Ahmed Mustapha, said as custodians of democratic ideals, norms and good governance, as well as beacon of democracy, IPAC would continue to play a vital role in shaping the state’s political landscape and promoting the collective interest of the people, government and the diverse political parties.

He stated: “It is indeed disturbing and dishearten­ing to listen to Sani via a Town Hall meeting, last Saturday, where traditiona­l rulers, elders, clerics, politician­s, civil society groups, organised labour and various Stakeholde­rs were invited.

“There His Excellency explained how his administra­tion inherited a huge debt burden of $ 587 million, N85 billion and 115 contractua­l liabilitie­s from the previous administra­tion, making it difficult for the government to even pay workers’ salaries.

“The selfish and fraudulent arrangemen­t did not only deny our state the means of developmen­t but made the state financiall­y embarrasse­d, which includes making our state’s Internally­Generated Revenue ( IGR) as collateral to some indigenous banks.”

Consequent­ly, he urged Kaduna IPAC to support this unique leadership.

Then IPAC responded: “Once again, we declare our support for open government by our governor and assure him of Kaduna IPAC executives’ willingnes­s to continue to assist in proffering solutions, suggestion­s and to provide advice that will be beneficial to our people and the state.”

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