By Muhammad Mamman
A former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has called on Nigeria’s anti-graft agency to open a full investigation into the eight-year administration of ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, intensifying national debate over public accountability and governance reforms.
In a statement released on Sunday, Sani urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to scrutinise major financial transactions, loan agreements, and large-scale infrastructure projects executed during El-Rufai’s tenure from 2015 to 2023.
He said the probe should cover the state’s rising debt profile, controversial demolitions, and multi-billion-naira projects, stressing that Nigerians deserve transparency over how public funds were managed.
“No individual should be above scrutiny. The people of Kaduna and Nigerians at large have the right to know how their resources were spent,” Sani said.
The former senator added that investigating El-Rufai’s record would strengthen public confidence in the anti-corruption drive and demonstrate that accountability applies equally to both serving and former officials.
El-Rufai, who previously served as Kaduna governor and remains a prominent political figure, has yet to respond publicly to the call.
A wider national reckoning
The demand comes amid growing pressure on Nigerian authorities to intensify anti-corruption efforts as the country grapples with inflation, unemployment and mounting public debt. Civil society groups say past administrations across Nigeria must be subjected to rigorous audits to recover mismanaged funds and deter future abuses.
Analysts note that the EFCC’s response to Sani’s appeal could set an important precedent, particularly at a time when many Nigerians are calling for deeper reforms in governance and stronger oversight of state finances.
For residents of Kaduna and beyond, the outcome may signal whether the country is prepared to confront alleged financial impropriety at the highest levels — or allow long-standing questions about leadership and accountability to linger.
