Tension rose at the Kaduna State House of Assembly on Monday as a coalition of civil society groups and political stakeholders staged a peaceful protest, demanding clarity on the status of the legislative probe into the administration of former governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai.
The demonstrators, led by Ambassador Yerima Shettima, Convener of the Northern Stakeholders Consultative Initiative, and Aliyu Muhammad, Convener of the Coalition of Kaduna Stakeholders Forum, submitted a formal letter to the Speaker, urging lawmakers to publicly disclose progress made in the investigation of the immediate past government.
Addressing journalists outside the Assembly complex, the coalition said it was acting in the interest of citizens seeking transparency and accountability. The group insisted that once a public officer leaves office, immunity no longer applies and investigations into matters of public concern must not be allowed to drag on without updates.
The protesters questioned how far the House had gone in its inquiry and asked lawmakers to demonstrate that democratic institutions remain capable of holding former leaders to account. They urged the Assembly to provide a clear timeline and outline steps taken so far to ensure that justice is not delayed.
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The coalition also called for the establishment of an open and lawful platform where affected citizens, including traders, civil servants and displaced families, could present grievances in an orderly manner.
In their address, the stakeholders referenced allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement reportedly uncovered during the Assembly’s review. They cited claims of the misappropriation of N423 billion in loans and state funds, diversion of N1.37 billion linked to an unexecuted light rail project, alleged siphoning of N64.8 million by senior aides, and disputed payments and contracts amounting to more than N155 million.
Beyond financial matters, the group raised concerns over alleged human rights violations and governance practices during the former administration. These included claims of unlawful detention of community leaders, executive overreach, suppression of dissent, controversial demolitions and criticisms over the handling of communal and religious crises in parts of the state.
They also referenced public concerns surrounding the Zaria crisis and other security challenges recorded during El-Rufai’s tenure.
As reports emerged that the former governor had visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the coalition urged anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to conduct their investigations with professionalism and independence, while observing due process.
The group warned that failure to ensure accountability could trigger further lawful civic engagement, stressing that citizens would pursue all legal avenues available to them.
The protesters appealed to the media to sustain balanced and responsible reporting, noting that accountability efforts require a vigilant press committed to democratic values.
Despite their strong position, the coalition maintained that its actions would remain peaceful and within the bounds of the law, stating that their objective was to safeguard justice, transparency and the rights of the people of Kaduna State.
