By Abiola Olawale
The Kaduna State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has suspended the state Women Leader Hajiya Maryam Suleiman after defending the immediate-past governor Nasir El-Rufai over the recent controversy of leaving huge debt.
The New Diplomat reports that Governor Uba Sani on Friday lamented the high debt profile he inherited from his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Speaking at a town hall meeting on Saturday, Sani said his administration inherited a debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from the El-Rufai administration.
Reacting to the claim, the state Women Leader described the governor’s remark as treacherous as El-Rufai did everything to ensure his success during the election.
She stated: “If you say there is no money in Kaduna State, why don’t you resign? Notwithstanding the huge debt burden, he ran from pillar to post trying to get the party’s governorship ticket from Mallam [El-Rufai].
“It is a clear case of betrayal. Mallam did everything for Uba to become a senator and later governor.
“As a senator, Uba Sani is the arrowhead of securing loans by the El-Rufai administration. He was deeply involved in that.”
But in a letter co-signed by the state chairman and secretary Ali Maishago and Zakka Bassahuwa respectively, APC announced the suspension of the woman leader for defamation of character of the governor.
The letter reads: “The Badarawa/Malali Ward APC Executive Committee after due deliberations and careful examinations on the viral video clip released on 30th March 2024 via social networks; Facebook, WhatsApp, and Tiktok which is against the constitution of our dear party APC as stated in article 21.2 (v).
“In view of the above, below are the gross misconducts where the subsequent suspension relied upon:
“Deformation (sic) of the character of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State Malam Uba Sani.
“Unauthorized publicity of the party dispute that discredited the personality of the Executive Governor of Kaduna State.
“Furthermore, from today Sunday 31st of March, 2024, the leadership of APC Badarawa/Malali Ward unanimously resolved to suspend Hajiya Maryam Suleiman (Mai Rusau) from the Party pending further investigation on the matter from the constituted authority.”
