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El-Rufai’s son denies involvement in contracts during father’s administration .

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The member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, Bello El-Rufai, has denied involvement in the award of contracts during the tenure of his father, Nasir El-Rufai, as the governor of Kaduna State.
Bello stated this in an interview hosted by Yaya Abba, titled, ‘With Shuraim.’
The former governor, who served as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory from 2003 to 2007 under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, also served as a two-term governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023.
He was recently accused of leaving a huge debt for his successor, Uba Sani, to the tune of $587 million, N85 billion, and N115 billion in contract liabilities.
Sani noted that the state is now left with a few amounts, not enough to pay salaries.
However, Bello said, “I think he (Nasir) is an exceptional mind and the sort of leader that Nigeria really needs; there are many like him.
“When he became governor, we campaigned for him seriously. We knew the wave was coming, we knew there was a merger. We knew Buhari could win this time, especially the alliance that happened with the Southwest.”
Bello, the Chairman, House Committee on Banking Regulations, noted that at the time, “some of us were just learning the process. But immediately he became governor, he sent me, as I say, on exile. Unlike the children of the governors back then, I didn’t really stay in Kaduna doing contracts.”
While stating that he now understands the reason behind his father’s decision to send him away from the political scene, Bello noted, “What happens to the man in power is that if they can’t get to him, they’ll get to the wives or children,” adding that it was “natural for contractors in Kaduna to think if they come through you, they’ll gain favour.
The lawmaker said that during the first four years of his father’s administration in Kaduna, he worked in the Enterprise Business Unit of the technology firm, Huawei, adding that his work experience in the firm made him understand organizational structure.
It is gathered that this is not the first time Bello will speak of his father’s administrative and leadership prowess.
Recall that in early March 2024, Bello said the nation had lost an effective administrator in his father after the Senate rejected his nomination as minister.
According to him, it took his pleas and those of other family members for his father to accept the ministerial nomination from President Bola Tinubu.

Politics

Kebbi ADC suspends state chairman, two others

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State has suspended its chairman, Engineer Sufiyanu Bala, along with his deputy, Junaidu Muhammed Mudi, and the state secretary, Hauwa Muhammed.

Speaking to journalists in Birnin Kebbi, the party’s publicity secretary, Jamilu Muhammed, accused the Sufiyanu-led leadership of making decisions without consulting other executives.

“We address you today to announce the immediate suspension of Sufiyanu Bala, his deputy, and secretary Hauwa from the party with immediate effect,” he said.

Muhammed alleged that the suspended leaders allowed Abuja nomadic politicians to dominate the party, a move strongly opposed by the founding members.

“We will not, after tailoring the party to its present status, allow Abuja politicians to dominate it,” he added.

According to him, the decision came after an extraordinary meeting of loyal ADC members and stakeholders who have been with the party long before the coming of Abuja impostors.

The party has appointed Abdulrazaq Abubakar Isah Iko as interim chairman and Adamu Aliyu as acting secretary until a new congress is held.

The Kebbi ADC warned the suspended members to stop identifying themselves as party officials or carrying out activities in the party’s name.

It also condemned political gatherings organised by the suspended officials, saying such actions violate the Electoral Act.

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Ekwunife blasts Soludo, says government House not his birthright

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Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State, Senator Uche Ekwunife has warned Governor Soludo to get ready to hand over power, insisting that the government house is not his birthright.

Senator Ekwunife stated this while addressing party faithful in her country home in Nri, Anaocha Council area of the state where she described the administration of the governor as an abysmal failure in all round development and security of lives and property.

“Soludo and I are not at war, what is happening is that what he is currently holding is what we want. The constitution of Nigeria made it four year term for every elected governor. And if you do well, you will be re-elected but in the case of Soludo, it is obvious he has lost touch with governance and that is why APC has presented veritable platform for the people of the state to reclaim their state from APGA misrule.

“The governor, rather than concentrate on positive governance, has been going about crying like a baby, calling my name up and down and we are not losing sleep over his rantings. He has not done well to deserve a second term and that is why the state seems to be on autopilot for four years.

“I make bold to say that Soludo was smart to have hurriedly parked into the uncompleted Anambra State government House, which goes to tell his state of panicky mood of losing this election which is going to happen. But he has forgotten that government is a continuum and when one stops, another person takes over and that is why we presented a veritable alternative to Ndi Anambra.”

Also speaking during the programme, the former Minister of State, Science and Technology, Henry Ikoh described the governorship election in the state as very vital in order to connect the state to the mainstream politics of Nigeria and called for total and massive votes for the party and her candidates, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu and Senator Uche Ekwunife.

Ikoh said the time for the party to clinch Anambra State has come with the massive mobilization of stakeholders across the state and county in general to support the party and ensure smooth victory in the November 8 governorship election.

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I consulted for 6 months before dumping PDP for APC – Gov Eno

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In an interview with Channels Television, the governor said his state can’t be in the opposition after producing the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

He said: “I consulted for six months before moving, I didn’t just wake up and decided to move. We have stayed in the opposition for so many years.

“There are enormous benefits to align with the centre. First of all, we have a Senate President in this country who is from here and we have to give him the support to be able to help.

“We can’t have the Senate President in another party and we are here in the opposition, you know how politics plays out here, it will keep weeping up sentiments.”

The new APC member said he believes in the policies of President Bola Tinubu.

He said Tinubu is making much efforts towards repositioning the economy, which was in a bad shape when he assumed office.

“Two, I believe in the programme of Tinubu – this economy was battered and we were really low by the time he took over power.

“We have seen the efforts he is making, the reforms he is making and he should have our support.

 

“States governments, I speak for Akwa Ibom have benefitted from those reforms and is why we are able to have the funds to do what we are doing.

“If somebody is doing well, you say he is doing well and if he is not doing well we say he is not doing well.

“If I can see him and discuss our issues and he listens to our issues and helps us where he can, why should I work against the President?”

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