LG Funds: ALGON Absolves Gov Sani, Slams El-Rufai

The Kaduna State Chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has described the former governor, Malam Nasir El Rufai’s allegation that Governor Uba Sani siphoned funds for the third tier of government as false, patently absurd, and ill-intentioned.

ALGON further said the allegations were meant to mislead the public, create disaffection, and ridicule the all-inclusive, pro-poor, and people-oriented administration in Kaduna State.

It will be recalled that former Governor El-Rufai accused Governor Uba Sani of diverting local government funds to purchase property in Seychelles, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

Addressing a news conference on Tuesday, Alhaji Muhammad Lawal Shehu, spokesperson of ALGON, said that the Governor Uba Administration stands for the rule of law and due process.

‘’Transparency and accountability are its watchwords. It supports and respects the financial autonomy of local governments. It has never tampered with local governments’ funds,’’ he said.

The ALGON added that, on the contrary, the Governor Sani administration has been taking measures and executing programmes and projects to complement the efforts of local governments.

ALGON spokesman recalled that ‘’some of us served as local government chairmen when Mallam Nasir El-Rufai was in office as governor. We can testify to the fact that what we have been receiving as monthly allocation since Senator Uba Sani became governor is more than double the amount we received during Mal El-Rufai’s administration.

‘’Apart from enhanced monthly allocations, we have been operating in an atmosphere devoid of harassment and intimidation, unlike Mal El-Rufai’s era that was marked by highhandedness and coercion,’’ he added.

The spokesman, however, advised the public to disregard the statement credited to Mallam El-Rufai because ‘’they are wild allegations not supported by facts.’’