Assembly threatens legal action over defamatory remarks
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has firmly stated that former Governor Nasir El-Rufai remains indicted over allegations raised in a probe report until a competent court overturns the findings.
This declaration came in response to remarks made by El-Rufai during an interview on Freedom FM on Monday, 17th March 2025, where he criticised the Assembly and questioned its competence.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Assembly dismissed El-Rufai’s claims as “unfounded allegations” and reaffirmed its constitutional authority to investigate his administration.
The House has also threatened legal action over what it described as “defamatory remarks” made by the former governor, who allegedly referred to members as “stark illiterates.”
The Assembly clarified that all its members met the constitutional requirements for election, as enshrined in Section 106 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
It noted that many members of the current 10th Assembly had previously served during El-Rufai’s eight-year tenure, making his criticism of their competence contradictory.
“It is, therefore, contradictory for him to now question their competence, especially considering that he previously worked with them and claimed to have recorded tremendous achievements in the state during that period,” the statement read.
On the allegation that the Assembly lacked the capacity to probe his administration, the House cited Sections 128 and 129 of the Constitution, which empower it to investigate matters within its legislative authority.
“The Assembly acted within its constitutional mandate in carrying out its investigation, and any suggestion to the contrary is misleading,” it stated.
The Assembly also addressed El-Rufai’s claim that the report of the Ad-hoc Committee was written by a paid individual, describing it as baseless. It emphasised that the findings against the former governor and his administration remain valid until legally overturned.
“All attempts by him to discredit the report in court have failed. Until the Committee’s report is successfully challenged and overturned by a competent court of law, the former Governor remains indicted,” the statement asserted.
Regarding the removal of the former Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), the Assembly clarified that the Speaker had no role in the decision.
“The removal of the former Executive Chairman of KADIRS was carried out in accordance with due process, and any suggestion that the Speaker played a role in this decision is entirely false,” it said.
The Assembly accused El-Rufai of attempting to divert attention from the probe by spreading “lies, fake news, and propaganda.” It reiterated its commitment to supporting Governor Uba Sani in delivering democratic dividends to the people of Kaduna State.
“The Kaduna State House of Assembly remains committed to its constitutional responsibilities and will not be swayed by distractions,” the statement concluded.
“We reaffirm our unwavering support for His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, and the Rt. Honourable Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Dahiru Liman.”
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