Governor Nasir El-Rufai yesterday dismissed claims that he
engineered the nomination of his
foster sister, Zainab Ahmed, for appointment as minister representing
the state.
He branded the allegation as a figment of the imagination of
some people who are not pleased with the drastic changes he is effecting in the
state.
Zainab Ahmed is currently Executive Secretary, Nigeria
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
El-Rufai, speaking at the fourth Town Hall Meeting with
residents of the state, said he has discovered that some people who are
pretending to be members or supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
are in fact working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said that he did not even nominate anyone to President
Muhammadu Buhari to consider for ministerial appointment.
El-Rufai took a swipe at
critics who had accused him of
favouring the northern part of the state
in his appointments.
A non-governmental organisation under the aegis of the
Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), from Southern Kaduna, had
alleged that appointments by the El-Rufai government are skewed in favour of
northern Kaduna.
Spokesman for the group, Mr.James Kantyip, had said: “as
Nigerians they (people of Southern Kaduna) are pained that the governor has
treated the southern Kaduna people with unabashed vendetta because most of
southern Kaduna did not vote for him and because of our religion and ethnicity.
“Of the 13 commissioners, only four are from southern Kaduna.
This is very unfair and a violation of the constitution.”
But El-rufai in apparent reference to the group at the Town
Hall meeting dismissed the allegation, saying there was no iota of truth in
their claims.
He said his administration is serving the interests of the
diverse people of the state and would carry them along in all appointments, but
maintained that some elements who want to reap where they did not sow are
jokers.
“You don’t expect me to reject those who voted for me and
pick those who worked against me,” he said.
Besides, the governor warned that his administration would
deal ruthlessly with individuals or groups who attempt to breach the security
of the state.
“No one, no matter how highly placed, who attempts to cause
trouble in the state, will face the full weight of the law, he vowed.
He also said the state executive council has approved the
purchase of 107 vehicles for security agencies in the state.
On health, the governor said he is collaborating with the
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dangote Foundation and UNICEF in advancing
health outcomes of the people, adding that “the initiatives include healthcare,
nutrition, HIV and AIDS, water, sanitation and child protection.”
He also announced a grant of $1million from the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation.
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