Founding members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kaduna State on Monday pass a no confidence vote on Governor Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai over allegations of mal-administrations.
This is just as some of the immediate past local government Chairmen appointed by Governor el-Rufai led by Yahaya Shinko have dumped their alliance with him to join in the passing of no confidence vote.
The APC’s founding members who pass the confidence vote on the governor, included the Senator Representing Kaduna Central, Senator Shehu Sani, former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admirar Ishaya Ibrahim Iko, Hon. Isa Ashiru, Ambassador Sule Buba, former NIMASA Chairman, Alhaji Tijjani Ramalan, Alhaji Yaro Makama Rigachikwu,
Mr. Maitamaki Tom Maiyashi, who is the Chairman of the group, APC-AKIDA who spoke to Journalists in Kaduna said, the governor has embarked on the “destruction of community peace or mortgaging the future of our children whose state of education and development is hitting its worst level,” hence the need to declare the confidence vote on him.
“The current sorry state of affairs in the State is characterized by the near total absence of leadership of the party at all levels. The Party has been deliberately weakened and virtually rendered ineffective.
“There is complete lack of consultation with critical stakeholders even on matters relating to party members or the community.
“Government intolerance of any opinion contrary to the mindset of the Governor. Mercenaries are hired to attack individuals and anybody who dares any opinion meant to add value to public policy.
“The only opinion or input respected is, those of hired consultants specifically recruited from outside the State who do not even understand our environment and lack the commitment to address our developmental priorities.
“These cronies and agents so recruited have virtually rendered the State Civil Service redundant and inactive. Morale in the civil service today is at its lowest ebb.
“Local Government Administration has been badly fractured, weakened and literary strangulated. Regrettably the State is walking into another circle of avoidable crises. This time around, it is the “attack” on traditional and community institutions that have sustained our sense of community for ages from pre –colonial days”.
The Chieftains noted that the desire for change was so palpable with people coming out in their numbers to vote for “change” but lamented that “Two years down the line, our people have only witnessed greater hardships, dehumanization and complete disregard to the basic sense of humanity.
“The basic difference that an APC Government should have distinguished itself from the past should be its attitude to the promotion of the dignity and welfare of workers, peasants, the youth, women and the less privileged in our society.
“The primary authors of this change are still waiting, Government policies have put the APC Platform on a ‘cliff’ running up to 2019, when we have to give account of our stewardship! What then will be our score – card? Destruction of community peace or mortgaging the future of our children whose state of education and development is hitting its worst level”.
The Chieftains also noted that a government Circular emanated from the State Ministry of Local Government Affairs and signed by the Hon Commissioner for Local Government Affairs Alhaji Jafaru Sani to all the Traditional Councils dated 7th June 2017, explicitly sacked all District Heads in Kaduna State. The Circular dissolved 313 districts and 4,453 village units and ordered Chairmen of Traditional Councils to submit within two weeks names for the consideration of government for the recognized districts.
“This assault on traditional Institutions taking together with many of the anti- people policies of the administration are capable of throwing the State into another round of crises that spiral into unimaginable destruction of community cohesion.
“in view of all these and many more not mentioned, we hereby pass a vote of no confidence on Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear to our elders, our workers, peasants, youth and community leaders that, we either as members of the ruling party, or as citizens and critical stakeholders irrespective of party affiliation do not support the anti- people policies of governor Nasiru El- Rufai and we will never do so.
“It is hoped that the government will find elementary wisdom in reverting this provocative and obnoxious policy. The situation we face today in our view calls for critical reflection.
“We believe that for the remaining life of this administration, we should address all our energies to building the confidence of our communities, securing their support and inspiring them that together we can change the objective conditions of lives of our people, and secure a great future for our children. This government came on a platform of “change”. Simply put a change that will enhance human dignity, human happiness and human development.
“The “change project” has only succeeded in producing a mega wrecking machine that has destroyed the integrity of our party, and taken all of us to the slaughter lab. We will continue to work for peace and certainly protect and sustain the honour and integrity of our great party”.
