.Islamic cleric slams ex-gov for allegedly punishing citizens
Following the concerns raised by Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, over the staggering debt profile of the state, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has advised Sani to immediately constitute a commission of enquiry that will unravel the actual debts his administration inherited from his predecessor, Nasir el-Rufai.
Similarly, a renowned Islamic Cleric in Zaria, Sherif Zaria, has condemned el-Rufai’s administration for the mounting debts in the state, while accusing him of inflicting sorrow and pain on Kaduna citizens.
At a press briefing in Kaduna, yesterday, the Chairman of IPAC in the state, Ahmed Mustapha, said as custodians of democratic ideals, norms and good governance, as well as beacon of democracy, IPAC would continue to play a vital role in shaping the state’s political landscape and promoting the collective interest of the people, government and the diverse political parties.
He stated: “It is indeed disturbing and disheartening to listen to Sani via a Town Hall meeting, last Saturday, where traditional rulers, elders, clerics, politicians, civil society groups, organised labour and various Stakeholders were invited.
“There His Excellency explained how his administration inherited a huge debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion and 115 contractual liabilities from the previous administration, making it difficult for the government to even pay workers’ salaries.
“The selfish and fraudulent arrangement did not only deny our state the means of development but made the state financially embarrassed, which includes making our state’s Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) as collateral to some indigenous banks.”
Consequently, he urged Kaduna IPAC to support this unique leadership.
Then IPAC responded: “Once again, we declare our support for open government by our governor and assure him of Kaduna IPAC executives’ willingness to continue to assist in proffering solutions, suggestions and to provide advice that will be beneficial to our people and the state.”
Zaria spoke on the heels of the huge debts said to have been left behind in the state by el-Rufai.
In a sermon on social media, the cleric also condemned el-Rufai for allegedly saying that not even reciting the chapter of Yasin of the holy Quran to seek God’s intervention against him would affect him and boasted that he would even pay for the sacrifice to be done as a result.
The cleric said: “He should bring the money for the sacrifice and see what will happen. It is now time for you to reap what you sowed. You claimed that Yasin does not work on you and that you can even pay for the sacrifice. Yasin is not fake; it is the heart of the Quran, and I dare you to pay for the sacrifice and see what will happen.”
