Hundreds of protesters gathered on Monday at the Kaduna State House of Assembly, calling for an update on the investigation into the administration of Nasir El-Rufai, who served as governor of the state for eight years.
The demonstration was led by Yerima Shettima of the Northern Stakeholders Consultative Initiative and Aliyu Muhammad of the Coalition of Kaduna Stakeholders Forum. The groups submitted a petition to Yusuf Liman, Speaker of the House, urging lawmakers to speed up the probe and provide the public with clear updates.
Addressing journalists during the protest, Shettima described the action as peaceful and aimed at promoting transparency and accountability. He expressed concern over what he called the slow pace of the investigation and the lack of regular communication on its progress.
He said the issues under review involve public trust, institutional integrity and the responsibility of democratic institutions to hold former public office holders accountable. Shettima noted that constitutional immunity ends once elected officials leave office and added that allegations involving public funds and citizens’ welfare must be resolved conclusively.
The petition, read by Muhammad, alleged financial mismanagement during El-Rufai’s administration. It claimed that N423 billion in loans and state funds were misappropriated. It also referenced allegations concerning N1.37 billion set aside for a light rail project, alongside other claims of questionable financial transactions.
Beyond financial matters, the groups raised concerns about alleged human rights violations, including the reported detention of leaders of the Adara community. They also cited accusations of executive overreach and controversies linked to communal crises recorded during the administration.
The protesters called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other anti-corruption agencies to conduct independent investigations in line with due process and the rule of law.
In his response, Speaker Liman acknowledged the protesters’ constitutional right to demonstrate and reaffirmed the assembly’s commitment to oversight. He recalled that in June 2024, the House set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the alleged misappropriation of N423 billion. According to him, the committee’s report has been forwarded to the relevant authorities for action.
Liman said El-Rufai had criticised the inquiry but insisted that the assembly would remain focused on its constitutional duty. He stressed that no individual is above the law.
