Ex-Speaker Yusuf Zailani Says 9th Assembly Didn’t Approve $350m World Bank Loan Obtained By El-Rufai Administration
Yusuf Zailani, who headed the 9th Kaduna state House of Assembly, has denied claims that the parliament approved the $350m World Bank loan obtained by the Nasir El-Rufai administration.
The former Speaker insisted that he did not approve the loan while speaking on the floor of the assembly on Wednesday.
Team@orientactualmags.com learned that Mal. Suraj Bamalli, who is Speaker Yusuf Liman’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications disclosed this in a video posted on X on Wednesday .
‘I have been waiting for this day, and the day is today. My fight was not to give approvals of loans. Some of my colleagues were around, and 6 are still members of this hallowed chamber, including Isaac Auta Zankhai, the former deputy speaker. They said I should approve the loans. I said no, we need to know how many loans we have’, Yusuf said in the video.
Recall that the Kaduna state House of Assembly had earlier in the week launched a probe into the Nasir El-rufai administration seeking to know if officials of the administration in question properly handled matters that have to do with finances, loans and contract projects or not.
The parliament had also set up a fact-finding committee to probe financial dealings, loans and grants and other project implementation from 2015 to 2023 and also investigate the former governor’s top associate and Senior Counselor on Investment, Jimi Lawal.
That was not all, the committee had also gotten the go-ahead to invite notable personalities including Speaker of the 8th assembly, Speaker of the 9th Assembly, and those who served as commissioner for finance, Managing Director of Kaduna Markets, and Commissioner for Budget and Planning, among others during the El-Rufai administration.
Recall also that the developments recorded towards the end of March had made it become clear that the good relationship between Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state and his immediate predecessor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has been dealt a blow.
Huge cracks had since become visible in the wall of Kaduna state APC and the cracks are becoming too wide for mere fingers to fix them.
It had begun late last month with the governor lamenting during a Town Hall Meeting that Nasir El-Rufai left a humongous debt for his administration adding that what is now available to the state is not enough to pay salary.
Sani said his administration inherited a total of $587 million, N85 billion and 115 contractual liabilities .
‘Despite the huge debt burden of $587m , N85bn, and N115bn Contractual Liabilities sadly inherited from the previous administration, we remain resolute in steering Kaduna state towards progress and sustainable development. We have conducted a thorough assessment of our situation and are sharpening our focus accordingly’ the governor had submitted.
In the meanwhile, Speaker Yusuf Liman has accused El-Rufai’s eldest son, Bello of trying to intimidate the state lawmakers.
The Speaker ,in a statement issued by his spokesman, Suraj Bamali, alleged that Bello, has been instigating and urging people to fight and disrespect the parliament through his social media posts.
Bello, a member of the House of Representatives, represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency.
The Speaker also claimed that Bello El-Rufai sent him insulting and subtle threat messages through WhatsApp platform and warned that threats and intimidation from anyone, including federal lawmakers, would not deter the Kaduna state House of Assembly from its pursuit of justice and accountability.
‘In light of recent events, the Kaduna state House of Assembly wishes to address the erratic and unruly actions of Hon. Bello Elrufai, the member representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency.
Shortly after the establishment of a committee to investigate financial dealings, loans, grants, and projects implementation from 2015-2023 in Kaduna state, Hon. Bello Elrufai took to social media with two tweets, now deleted, insinuating a call to ‘fight’ and disrespecting the entire Legislative Arm of Government.
Additionally, he sent insulting and subtle threat messages to the Rt. Hon Speaker of Kaduna state House of Assembly, Hon Yusuf Liman via WhatsApp.
The screenshots of these tweets and messages have been widely circulated, causing concern among the citizens of Kaduna state. It is disheartening that a Federal Lawmaker, entrusted with representing the people, would resort to such behavior, attempting to obstruct the lawful functions of the State Assembly.
Threats and intimidation from anyone, including federal lawmakers, will not deter the Kaduna state House of Assembly from its pursuit of justice and accountability. The Assembly remains resolute in its mandate to provide checks and balances and uphold the rule of law in Kaduna state.
We urge the good people of Kaduna state to remain vigilant and steadfast in their support for transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
The Kaduna state House of Assembly will continue to serve the best interests of the state and its citizens’ the statement added-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
