The Kaduna State House of Assembly has set up a fact-finding committee to probe all finances, loans and contract projects awarded under the former Governor Nasiru El-Rufai administration.

Recall that Governor Uba Sani, during a town hall meeting on Saturday, lamented the huge debt inherited from his predecessor, El-Rufai, on May 29, 2023.

Sani had said the state was left with a few amounts, not enough to pay salary, adding that his administration inherited a total of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from the ex-governor.

“Despite the huge debt burden of 587 million dollars, 85 billion naira, and N115 billion in 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,” the governor had said.

However, on Tuesday, the state’s Assembly set up a fact-finding committee during plenary, among others, to also investigate the former governor’s top associate and Senior Counsellor on Investment, Jimi Lawal.

Besides, the panel would probe financial dealings, loans and grants and other project implementation from 2015-2023.


The State Assembly also mandated the committee to invite notable personalities including the former speakers of the 8th and 9th Assembly, commissioners of finance, former Managing Directors of Kaduna Markets, and Commissioners of Budget and Planning, among others.

The Federal Government, through the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has taken decisive action in response to reports of suspected illegal mining activities around the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

This was contained in a statement signed by Segun Tomori, the SA Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development which was made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

Following a meeting with OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, and the Chief Medical Director of OAUTHC, Prof. John Okeniyi, Alake announced the indefinite suspension of mining activities within the university premises and its environs pending the conclusion of thorough investigations.

The Minister revealed that upon receiving reports of illegal mining activities, officials from the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and Mines Inspectorate were deployed for on-the-spot assessment.

Subsequent investigations uncovered some operators engaging in illegal activities, prompting the suspension of all mining operations within the affected areas.

During the meeting, university authorities expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate on addressing the issue. Prof. Bamire emphasized the university’s potential to contribute significantly to exploration, research, and development within the mining sector.

He also mentioned the university’s application for an exploration license, expressing optimism about its approval and the opportunities it would create for research and training in mineral resources.

The decision to suspend mining activities underscores the government’s commitment to upholding regulations and ensuring the integrity of mining operations.

With the support of relevant stakeholders, including the university, the government aims to conduct thorough investigations and implement necessary measures to address the situation effectively.

…Urges Stakeholders To Put Their Differences Aside And Work Together

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos, Adetokunbo Pearse, says the most important task at Thursday’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party should be how to save Nigeria in 2027.

Mr Pearse, former member of Atiku Abubakar 2023 Presidential Campaign Council, disclosed this in an interview on Tuesday in Lagos.

The chieftain said that members and stakeholders expected the PDP NEC to use the much-awaited meeting to prepare the party and position it to win the 2027 presidential election.

“The most important thing now is that we, as PDP, have to prepare to save Nigeria come 2027. That should be the main focus of the NEC meeting. The party must come together in unity and strength and inform Nigerians what it would do differently and how it would do it.

“This is important for Nigerians to have hope that 2027 will usher in something better than what we have now,” Mr Pearse said.

He urged all PDP stakeholders to put their differences aside and work together for the progress of the party.

Mr Pearse added, “We must build the party, reach out to people because virtually about 50 per cent of our party members went into Labour Party in the build up to 2023 general elections. If we have that number, the PDP would have won the last presidential election.

“We must reach out to those aggrieved members. We must engage in the process of reconciliation, renegotiation and discussions, so that we can rebuild the party and come back in unity.

“PDP must present a tangible, legitimate alternative to Nigerians for their consideration in the 2027 presidential elections.”

Mr Pearse said PDP leaders had other important issues to resolve at the meeting.

“One of the other important issues is the way forward in terms of the national convention so that we can elect a substantive national chairman. From there, we have an idea of whether the party would be zoning for 2027 or not.

“The issue of those accused of anti-party activities before, during and after the last general elections must also be addressed,” he said.

He said the NEC meeting must also discuss some positions vacant in 2025 and how to fill them.

The PDP NEC is the party’s highest decision-making organ, comprising state governors, serving and former presidents, former vice presidents, chairman and secretary of the BoT, principal officers of the national assembly, all state chairpersons, members of the national working committee (NWC), former governors, and founding members, among others.

The NEC meeting, scheduled for Thursday, will be preceded by other strategic meetings starting on Tuesday.

One of such strategic meetings is the PDP Governors’ Forum meeting.