Protesters in Kaduna
A coalition of civil society organisations on Monday intensified pressure on the Kaduna State House of Assembly, demanding immediate action on the outcome of its probe into the administration of former governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The group, led by Ambassador Yerima Shettima of the Northern Stakeholders Consultative Initiative and Aliyu Muhammad of the Coalition of Kaduna Stakeholders Forum, stormed the Assembly complex to seek clarity on the status of the investigation and the next steps following the submission of the committee’s findings.
Addressing journalists, the protesters said their action was aimed at safeguarding democratic accountability and preventing what they described as unnecessary delay in addressing serious allegations raised during the legislative inquiry.
They referenced claims of large-scale financial misappropriation, including billions of naira in loans and state funds allegedly mishandled under the previous administration, and insisted that the era of immunity ended with the former governor’s tenure.
“We are not here for politics; we are here for accountability. The people of Kaduna deserve to know what happens next,” the coalition said.
They also urged anti-graft agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, to ensure that any investigation is conducted professionally and without interference.
Responding, Speaker Yusuf Dahiru Liman assured the delegation that the House had fulfilled its constitutional duty by setting up a probe committee in June 2024 and forwarding its findings to the appropriate authorities.
He maintained that the legislature acted within its mandate and reiterated that peaceful civic engagement remains a constitutional right.
The protesters, however, vowed to sustain lawful pressure until concrete action is taken, declaring that “no one is above the law.”
