The Kaduna State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the state Women Leader, Maryam Mai-Rusau for defending the former governor of the State Nasir El-Rufai over the recent controversy on the state’s huge debt.
NewsBand reported that governor Uba Sani while speaking at a town hall meeting on Saturday, said his administration inherited a debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from the El-Rufai administration.
He said the staggering debt has left Kaduna State with a few amounts, not enough to pay the salaries of workers.
Sani said, “Despite the huge debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 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. It gladdens my heart to inform you that despite the huge inherited debt on the state, till date, we have not borrowed a single kobo”.
But the state women leader condemned the governor’s remark, adding that he was treacherous as 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, the party suspended the woman leader for defamation of character of 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:
“Deformation (sic) 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.”