FLASH POINT

By Shehu Yahaya

A coalition operating under the aegis of the Coalition of Kaduna Stakeholders Forum has called for calm, due process and constructive engagement over issues arising from the tenure of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai.

The group made the call at a press conference held on Sunday in Kaduna, where its convener, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad, described matters relating to the immediate past administration as state issues that should be addressed strictly through appropriate legal and institutional channels.

According to him, several policies implemented during the previous administration generated public debate and varying experiences among civil servants, traders and residents across the state. He identified reforms affecting public service employment, urban development initiatives and enforcement approaches during the COVID-19 period as areas that drew mixed reactions from stakeholders.

The coalition also drew attention to ongoing public discussions surrounding a report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly reviewing financial procedures and loan utilisation during the period under review.
It urged relevant oversight an anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, to examine any submissions before them in line with established laws and procedures.

The forum emphasised that accountability, transparency and adherence to due process remain essential for strengthening democratic governance in Kaduna State. It added that sustained dialogue among stakeholders would foster better understanding, promote institutional development and ensure stability in the polity.

Efforts to obtain immediate reaction from the former governor were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. However, El-Rufai has previously maintained that many of the reforms introduced during his administration were aimed at repositioning the state and improving public administration.