By Bulus Ahmed
Hundreds of protesters under the aegis of the Nasiriya Movement stormed Kaduna metropolis in support of the ongoing probe of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “Thank you, EFCC, for probing El-Rufai”, “El-Rufai must refund our ₦432bn”, and “Uba Sani must continue to deliver Kaduna” as they called on relevant authorities to ensure due process and justice in the ongoing investigation.
They marched through major streets of the state capital, calling on the anti-graft agencies to ensure a thorough investigation into the former governor’s administration, alleging that over ₦432 billion was misappropriated while he was in office.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the national president of the Nasiriya Movement, Alhaji Garkuwa Ibrahim Babuga, said justice must be allowed to take its full course without interference or compromise.
Babuga urged the EFCC and ICPC to ascertain the exact amount allegedly embezzled, insisting that public funds belonging to taxpayers must be recovered in full if wrongdoing is established“We believe that more than ₦432 billion of taxpayers’ money was misappropriated under the previous administration.
The former governor must not be set free until he refunds our money,” he said.
He further alleged that during El-Rufai’s stewardship, thousands of workers were arbitrarily disengaged without the payment of gratuities and other entitlements, leaving many in hardship and without adequate means of livelihood.
According to him, several affected workers have since become bedridden, while others are struggling to secure accommodation due to the sudden loss of income and benefits.
Babuga maintained that the group would sustain the protest until justice is served, warning that if they are not satisfied with the outcome of the probe, they will mobilise to Abuja to continue their demonstration.
Also speaking, one of the leading women protesters, Mrs Patience John, commended the anti-corruption agencies for initiating the investigation, describing it as a step towards accountability and transparency in governance.
She alleged that the former governor acted with impunity by disregarding court orders during demolition exercises within the Kaduna metropolis, adding that such actions worsened the plight of affected residents.
