Women and youths affiliated with the All Progressives Congress Unity Forum in southern Kaduna State have hit the streets to rally in support of the ongoing investigation into former Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
Participants in the rally, held in Kafanchan, carried placards with messages such as: “Tapping NSA phone is criminal,” “ICPC, EFCC save our treasury,” “Southern Kaduna people do not support evil,” and “ICPC, DSS carry on,” among others.
Addressing the rally, Mr. Edward Auta, convener of the forum, said the legal proceedings against El-Rufai would promote transparency and, if he is found guilty, facilitate the recovery of public funds for the benefit of the people of Kaduna State.
“Without a doubt, holding El-Rufa’i accountable will demonstrate clearly that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there are no sacred cows and no one is above the law”.
“This principle is essential for sustainable peace, justice, and development in our country,” he stated.
Auta urged authorities to go a step further by investigating El-Rufai’s repeated resort to divisive rhetoric along religious and ethnic lines.
“We therefore urge the security agencies to thoroughly examine both past and recent statements attributed to him and to take appropriate lawful steps where necessary.
“Accountability strengthens democracy, reinforces the rule of law, and deters divisive politics”.
“In this regard, Mr. El-Rufa’i’s case should not be an exception,” he noted.
He distanced the forum from a pro-El-Rufai rally held last Wednesday by a group in Southern Kaduna claiming solidarity with the former governor.
“No fair-minded person from Southern Kaduna who witnessed the pervasive insecurity, wanton acts of corruption, and deepening polarization under El-Rufai’s administration will question the courage of our nation’s anti-graft and security agencies to investigate and interrogate him”.
“These agencies are carrying out their constitutional mandate to ensure accountability and to recover public funds allegedly diverted during his tenure as governor,” he said.
The former governor is under investigation for his alleged role in wiretapping the National Security Adviser’s phone lines, as well as purported financial irregularities during his tenure as governor.