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I wasn’t involved in contracts during my father’s administration – El-Rufai’s son

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The member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, Bello El-Rufai, has said that he was not involved in the award of contracts during the tenure of his father, Nasir El-Rufai, as the governor of Kaduna State.

Bello stated this in an interview hosted by Yaya Abba, titled, ‘With Shuraim.’

The video of the interview was sighted by Theheute on Tuesday.

The former governor served as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory from 2003 to 2007 under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

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Afterwards, he served as a two-term governor of Kaduna State from 2016 to 2023.

He was recently accused of leaving a huge debt for his successor, Uba Sani, to the tune of $587 million, N85 billion, and N115 billion in contract liabilities.

Sani noted that the state is now left with few amounts not enough to pay salary.

However, Bello said, “I think he (Nasir) is an exceptional mind and the sort of leader that Nigeria really needs; there are many like him.

“When he became governor, we campaigned for him seriously. We knew the wave was coming, we knew there was a merger. We knew Buhari could win this time especially the alliance that happened with the Southwest.”

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Bello, the Chairman House Committee on Banking Regulations, noted that at the time, “some of us were just learning the process. But immediately he became governor, he sent me, as I say, on exile. Unlike the children of the governors back then, I didn’t really stay in Kaduna doing contracts. ”

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While stating that he now understands the reason behind his father’s decision to send him away from the political scene, Bello noted, “What happens to the man in power is that if they can’t get to him, they’ll get to the wives or children,” adding that it was “natural for contractors in Kaduna to think if they come through you, they’ll gain favour.

“He (the father) just took me out of that equation and it really helped.”

The lawmaker said that during the first four years of his father’s administration in Kaduna, he worked in the Enterprise Business Unit of the technology firm, Huawei, adding that his work experience in the firm made him understand organisational structure.

This isn’t the first time Bello will speak of his father’s administrative and leadership prowess.

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In early March 2024, Bello said the nation had lost an effective administrator in his father after the Senate rejected his nomination as minister.

Bello said it took his pleas and those of other family members for his father to accept the ministerial nomination from President Bola Tinubu.

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APC caretaker chairman defends Wike amid Rivers State crisis, criticises Governor Fubara’s actions

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Rivers State political crisis

Tony Okocha, Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee in Rivers State, has defended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s influence over Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing Fubara as Wike’s “political investment.”

 

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee Chairman in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has defended Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike’s involvement in the Rivers State political crisis, describing Governor Siminalayi Fubara as Wike’s “political investment.”

During a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Okocha cautioned critics against distorting the crisis narrative, affirming Wike’s role in elevating Fubara’s political career.

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Also read: Wike declares FCT’s ‘Park-and-Pay’ scheme illegal

 

Okocha, former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Rotimi Amaechi, voiced frustration over media portrayals he deemed biased, stating, “The conversations going on around the state are skewed.

They need to hear our side of the story.” He dismissed accusations that Wike’s influence was hampering Fubara’s governance, contending instead that “Fubara was never a politician; he was a civil servant” before Wike’s support propelled him to the governorship.

Amid recent tensions, Okocha criticised Fubara’s handling of a directive from President Bola Tinubu and a court order to re-present the 2024 budget before the State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule.

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He alleged that instead of following the agreed resolution, Fubara’s allies attempted to “blackmail” the president.

Okocha elaborated on a meeting where President Tinubu laid out an eight-point agenda for resolving the crisis, which included a directive for Fubara to re-present the budget to the full House.

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Fubara agreed initially, with Tinubu assuring him that his allies would not face reprisals. However, Okocha claimed that after the meeting, the narrative shifted, with reports that Fubara acted under duress.

Cautioning against any attempt to govern without a budget, Okocha concluded, “It is even dangerous for us as a state because you don’t have a limit for spending.” He reiterated the need for adherence to presidential and judicial resolutions to ensure stability in Rivers State.

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Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi concedes election, announces decision to “Step Aside”

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Botswana President Masisi steps aside after election defeat

President Mokgweetsi Masisi has announced his decision to step aside after a significant electoral defeat, congratulating the opposition on their victory.

 

 

Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi declared his intention to step down after preliminary election tallies showed a decisive victory for the opposition.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Masisi congratulated the opposition and formally conceded the election.

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Also read: Ogun court dismisses plea to delay local government elections

 

The loss marks a significant shift in Botswana’s political landscape, traditionally dominated by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).

Masisi’s gesture of concession underscores a commitment to democratic processes and a peaceful transition of power.

The defeat signals growing public demand for change, attributed by analysts to challenges in areas such as employment and governance transparency under the BDP’s long rule.

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Masisi’s decision to “step aside” sets a precedent for democratic accountability and could signal a new era of leadership in Botswana as the opposition prepares to assume governance responsibilities.

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Ex-Militant leader accuses President Tinubu of supporting instability in Rivers State

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Mujahid Asari-Dokubo Tinubu Wike Rivers State

Mujahid Asari-Dokubo has accused President Bola Tinubu of backing Minister Nyesom Wike in efforts to destabilise Rivers State and undermine Governor Sim Fubara.

 

 

Former Niger Delta militant leader Mujahid Asari-Dokubo has publicly accused President Bola Tinubu of supporting the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, in his alleged attempts to destabilise Rivers State.

During an appearance on Arise TV’s Morning Show, Asari-Dokubo expressed his disappointment with the President, claiming that Wike has been allowed to “run amok” and even procure court judgments aimed at removing the state governor, Sim Fubara.

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Also read: BREAKING: Tinubu, Asari Dokubo meeting in Aso Rock

 

Asari-Dokubo, who is also a former president of the Ijaw Youth Council, stated, “For the President to allow his minister to run amok, procure judgment and all sorts, threatening the people of Rivers State… if you remove Fubara, something will happen. And that is it.”

He emphasized his position as a stakeholder in Rivers State, asserting that he felt let down by Tinubu’s actions, which he believes are contributing to unrest in the region.

Asari-Dokubo’s remarks reflect ongoing tensions in Nigerian politics, particularly regarding the dynamics between state and federal authorities.

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