Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has described politics as a lifelong venture, saying he would return to politics in 2027.
El-Rufai stated this in an interview with Kaduna-based Freedom Radio, on Tuesday.
“I intend to return to politics in 2027 after completing my studies. There is no retirement in politics. By the will of Allah, we will return and continue serving the people,” he said.
The former governor also denied allegations of corruption during his tenure, saying he is willing to swear by the Holy Quran to prove his innocence.
Maintaining that he was not corrupt, El-Rufai challenged his predecessors and current leaders to do the same.
“I didn’t join politics to steal money or enrich myself. I was satisfied with what I had before becoming governor,” he said.
He emphasised that his administration had been accused without concrete evidence, adding that his allies were being targeted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“I have left everything to Allah’s judgement. I have prayed and will remain silent on the issue,” El-Rufai stated.
The former governor added that he had instructed his lawyers to take legal action against those tarnishing his name.
He expressed his commitment to serving the people, even outside of government.
“You don’t need to hold a position in government to serve. We are still working with like-minded individuals who genuinely want to serve the people, not those seeking to enrich themselves,” El-Rufai stated.
Recall that Kaduna State House of Assembly had alleged that N423 billion was stolen or misappropriated under El-Rufai’s watch as governor of the state.
The ad hoc committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate all finances, loans and contracts awarded under El-Rufai had on June 5, 2024, indicted the ex-governor and some of his appointees of siphoning N423 billion state funds.
The assembly, while adopting the report of the 13-man panel, asked the incumbent governor, Uba Sani, to refer El-Rufai, his Commissioner of Finance and other aides to relevant security agencies for investigation.
El-Rufai had in June 2024 approached a Federal High Court, urging the court to quash the report of the House of Assembly indicting him of N423 billion theft.
The court had on July 17 adjourned hearing of the suit to a later date.
