The Kaduna All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended its Women’s Leader, Maryam Suleiman, over criticisms directed at Governor Uba Sani regarding the state’s inherited debt.
This comes amidst a heated exchange between Governor Sani and Bashir El-Rufai, son of the immediate-past governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over the management of Kaduna’s financial affairs.
Suleiman’s suspension, announced on March 31, 2024, accuses her of gross misconduct and actions aimed at tarnishing the governor’s reputation. Allegations include orchestrating an attack on the political adviser to the governor, Manzo Maigari, which the party attributes to her. The suspension, in accordance with Article 21, 2 (v) of the APC Constitution, remains indefinite pending a thorough investigation.
Governor Sani, during a recent Town Hall Meeting, expressed concerns over the significant debt inherited from his predecessor, highlighting a financial burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities. However, Suleiman, in a viral video, criticized the governor’s management of the debt and advised him against blaming his failures on El-Rufai.
Bashir El-Rufail, however took to social media to criticize Governor Sani, accusing him of neglecting his responsibilities and surrounding himself with incompetent aides. Despite these, Governor Sani’s spokesman, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu, maintained the governor’s stance on the state’s financial situation, stating that the focus remains on steering Kaduna towards progress and development.