PDP Alleges Discrimination as Sani Swears in Commissioners

John Shiklam in Kaduna

Kaduna state governor, Senator Uba Sani,  yesterday  swore in 13 of the 14 commissioners screened and cleared by the state House of Assembly.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has however, described the appointments as lopsided, aimed at excluding certain section of the people from the governance structure of the state.

Speaking shortly after administrating oath of office on the appointees at the Government House, Kaduna, the Sani said his administration would  cut down cost of governance to overcome the economic challenges facing the state.

He said his government will set up a trust fund to cater for the poor and the vulnerable people adding that he will donate 50 per cent of his salary to the trust fund.

The governor said the commissioners were appointed based on their experience and competence and urged them to live up to expectations.

“We count on you to bring your experience and competence to bear on governance in the state.

“You are coming into our administration at a period when we are confronted with serious economic and security challenges”, the governor said.

He added that creative and innovative steps were being taken to address the challenges facing the state.

“Our President took a hard and painful but necessary decision to remove fuel subsidy.

“We are therefore in a period of emergency. We must cut down on cost of governance and ostentatious lifestyle”, the governor said.

He said as part of measures to save money, the commissioners will use the old vehicles left by their predecessors and lead by example for the people to follow.

Sani warned that “Excuses for lackluster performance will not be accepted, we shall strictly assess you based on performance indicators, anyone who failed to measure up shall be shown the way out.”

However, in a statement, the state chapter of the PDP alleged that the appointments were a continuation of the discriminatory policy of the immediate past governor, Nasir El-Rufai against a particular section of the state.

The statement signed by Abraham Catoh, State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, expressed dismay with the “lopsidedness in appointments by the temporary administration of Sen. Uba Sani in the state since its inception on 29th May 2023.”

Catoh said the appointment of the 14 commissioners “confirms the unfortunate claims of the immediate past governor of the state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s grand plan to shortchange and or exclude a certain section of the people from the governance structure of the state.

“Even more worrisome is the fact that the Local Governments of origin of the nominees were shrouded in secrecy in a desperate bid to conceal the glaring inequity in the appointments.”

The statement “condemned in totality such divisive antics reminiscent of the El-Rufai era”

and called on the governor to make amends and ensure balance in all appointments

“The PDP also wishes to call on the good people of the state to remain calm, hopeful, and steadfast in prayers as the party and its governorship candidate pursue their mandate at the tribunal.

The commissioners who were assigned portfolios during the swearing in, include a former speaker of the state assembly, Abdullahi Shagali as Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development.

Education: Prof. Muhammad Sani Bello (who served as Director General, state APC gubernatorial campaign);

Health: Umma Kaltume Ahmed ( a former commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs).

Local Government Affairs: Sadiq Mamman Lagos, (a former council chairman of Kaduna North); and Shizzer Nasara Bada (immediate past accountant general of the state), as Finance Commissioner.

Others include; Malam Murtala Dabo (a former permanent secretary, State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure) as Commissioner for Agriculture; Mukhtar Monrovia (a former federal lawmaker), Commissioner for Planning and Budget; Sule Shaibu,  Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Hajiya Rabi Salisu – Women Affairs & Social Development; Abubakar Buba (Council chairman of Lere LGA),Environment; Patience Fakai, Business, Innovations & Technology; Arch. Ibrahim Hamza – Works & Infrastructure; and Prof. Benjamin Gugong, Sports Development.

Auwal Shugaba, was however absent during the swearing in.