Uba Sani Diverting LG Funds To Buy Properties In UK, Others – El-Rufai
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has levelled damning allegations against his successor, Governor Uba Sani, accusing him of diverting local government (LG) funds to acquire properties abroad, including in the United Kingdom, Seychelles, and South Africa.
Speaking during an interview with Freedom Radio Kaduna on Tuesday, El-Rufai claimed that Governor Sani had been converting LG allocations into foreign currencies and channelling them into real estate investments overseas.
He described the alleged act as a stark deviation from the financial management practices of his administration.
“When I was governor, I never took a kobo from local government funds. We gave them their allocations to operate. Once we set aside funds for SUBEB, primary healthcare, and other necessary deductions, we handed over the remaining money. Both the PDP and APC chairmen are alive to testify,” El-Rufai stated.
The former governor alleged that the current administration was engaged in large-scale mismanagement of public funds, with federal agencies turning a blind eye due to what he described as interference from powerful forces in the presidency.
He further claimed that local governments in Kaduna State were no longer receiving more than N50 million per month, alleging that once federal allocations arrived, the funds were immediately siphoned off, converted into dollars, and used to procure properties abroad.
“As I speak, no local government in Kaduna receives more than N50 million per month. Once the allocation arrives, they siphon it, exchange it into dollars, and use it to buy properties in Seychelles, South Africa, London, and other places,” he alleged.
El-Rufai also accused the state government of working closely with bureau de change operators to facilitate the diversion of funds.
He stated that those in power assumed their activities were going unnoticed, but he insisted that he had full knowledge of their dealings.
“They think that because we are silent, we are unaware of what is happening. But we know everything. We know how they divert the money and the bureau de change operators involved. Those accusing us of corruption are actually doing worse,” he added.
Dismissing claims that he ever received bribes from contractors during his tenure, El-Rufai challenged anyone with evidence to come forward.
He asserted that contracts worth billions were executed without his direct involvement, as he only worked through commissioners and permanent secretaries.
In a further escalation of his accusations, the former governor alleged that Governor Sani had been demanding kickbacks from contractors before awarding contracts.
“Uba goes to Abuja with contract documents, offering them to contractors in exchange for a 40 per cent kickback. We know what is happening. They assumed that was how we ran the government, but they are wrong,” he alleged.
Governor Uba Sani has yet to respond to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
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