A former governor of Kaduna state during the Second Republic, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, has told serving governor of the state, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, to declare his assets publicly to debunk rumours that he is worth N90 billion and owns 40 mansions in some parts of the country.
Kaduna State Governor-elect, Nasir El Rufai
Balarabe Musa challenged El-Rufai during a session with newsmen in Kaduna yesterday.
The former governor said the incumbent’s failure to declare his assests will raise questions about his quest to fight corruption in the state. He said El-Rufai cannot fight corruption if “he has skeleton in his cupboard.”
According to Nigerian Pilot, he said: “There are thieves in Kaduna State; what is he going to do about it and to people who have stolen government property? He must declare his asset alleged to be worth N90billion and houses in Kaduna and other places numbering up to 40. He promised to declare his asset publicly. But when people got information that he secretly declared the alleged amount, he denied it.
“Then let him go and declare it publicly. He made declaration in written form to the Code of Conduct Bureau. Let him release the copy of the declaration he made to the bureau to the press and if he doesn’t want to release it to the press for any reason, let him say no I’m not worth N90billion in cash and 40 houses. This is what I’m worth. If you say what people are saying is not true, then tell us the truth.
“As a public servant, you are expected to tell the truth about yourself and about the public affairs under your control. That has not been done.
“Can a person who is claiming to fight corruption succeed when you have things to hide? It is not possible. Tell us how to generate employment, revenue and agriculture. These are key things but nothing has been done,” Balarabe Musa said.
The Union newspapers first published a story that claimed El-Rufai had declared his asset worth N90 billion. The embattled governor threatened to take legal action against newspaper.
The newspaper however fired back at the governor. Editor-in-Chief of The Union, Casmir Igbokwe, told the News Express, that the story by its reporter was true by every means.
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