The debt controversy in Kaduna State has claimed it’s first causality as the All Progressives Congress, APC chapter in the state has suspended the state Women Leader, Haj. Maryam Mai-Rusau for defending the immediate-past governor Nasir El-Rufai over the recent controversy on the state’s huge debt.
Recall that Governor Uba Sani had on Friday lamented the high debt profile he inherited from his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufa’i during a town hall meeting.
He said his administration inherited a debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from the El-Rufai administration.
Reacting to Gov Uba Sani’s lamentation the state Women Leader felt strongly about the governor’s remark, saying the governor is treacherous as Mr El-Rufai did everything to ensure his success during election.
“If you say there is no money in Kaduna State, why don’t you resign? Notwithstanding the huge debt burden, he ran from pillar to post trying to get the party’s governorship ticket from Mallam [El-Rufai].
“It is a clear case of betrayal. Mallam did everything for Uba to become a senator and later governor.
“As a senator, Uba Sani is the arrowhead of securing loans by El-Rufai administration. He was deeply involved in that,” she said.
But the APC in a letter co-signed by the state chairman and secretary Ali Maishago and Zakka Bassahuwa respectively, suspended the woman leader for defaming the governor.
The letter reads: “The Badarawa/Malali Ward APC Executive Committee after due deliberations and careful examinations on the viral video clip released on 30th March, 2024 via social networks; Facebook, Whatsapp, and Tiktok which is against the constitution of our dear party APC as stated in article 21.2 (v).
“In view of the above, below are the gross misconducts where the subsequent suspension relied upon:
“Defamation of character of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State Malam Uba Sani.
“Unauthorized publicity of the party dispute that discredited the personality of the Executive Governor of Kaduna State.
“Furthermore, from today Sunday 31st of March, 2024, the leadership of APC Badarawa/Malali Ward unanimously resolved to suspend Hajiya Maryam Suleiman (Mai Rusau) from the Party pending the further investigation on the matter from the constituted authority.”
