El-Rufai: I didn’t nominate my sister as minister

El-Rufai: I didn't  nominate my  sister as minister

Governor Nasir El-Rufai yesterday dismissed claims that he engineered the nomination of  his foster  sister, Zainab Ahmed,  for appointment as minister representing the 

state.

He branded the allegation as a figment of the imagination of some people who are not pleased with the drastic changes he is effecting in the state.

Zainab Ahmed is currently Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

El-Rufai, speaking at the fourth Town Hall Meeting with residents of the state, said he has discovered that some people who are pretending to be members or supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are in fact working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said that he did not even nominate anyone to President Muhammadu Buhari to consider for ministerial appointment.

El-Rufai took a swipe at  critics who had accused  him of favouring  the northern part of the state in his appointments.

A non-governmental organisation under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), from Southern Kaduna, had alleged that appointments by the El-Rufai government are skewed in favour of northern Kaduna.

Spokesman for the group, Mr.James Kantyip, had said: “as Nigerians they (people of Southern Kaduna) are pained that the governor has treated the southern Kaduna people with unabashed vendetta because most of southern Kaduna did not vote for him and because of our religion and ethnicity.

“Of the 13 commissioners, only four are from southern Kaduna. This is very unfair and a violation of the constitution.”

But El-rufai in apparent reference to the group at the Town Hall meeting dismissed the allegation, saying there was no iota of truth in their claims.

He said his administration is serving the interests of the diverse people of the state and would carry them along in all appointments, but maintained that some elements who want to reap where they did not sow are jokers.

“You don’t expect me to reject those who voted for me and pick those who worked against me,” he said.

Besides, the governor warned that his administration would deal ruthlessly with individuals or groups who attempt to breach the security of the state.

“No one, no matter how highly placed, who attempts to cause trouble in the state, will face the full weight of the law, he vowed.

He also said the state executive council has approved the purchase of 107 vehicles for security agencies in the state.

On health, the governor said he is collaborating with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dangote Foundation and UNICEF in advancing health outcomes of the people, adding that “the initiatives include healthcare, nutrition, HIV and AIDS, water, sanitation and child protection.”

He also announced a grant of $1million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Nation