Southern Kaduna youths slam pro-El-Rufai group, demand N432bn probe

Youth leaders from Southern Kaduna have called for a comprehensive investigation into the administration of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over an alleged ₦432 billion in public expenditure and what they described as worsening insecurity during his tenure.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, representatives of various youth organisations in the region accused a pro-El-Rufai support group of attempting to “rewrite history” and downplay concerns raised by residents about governance, debt profile, and security challenges experienced under the former administration.

The youths insisted that transparency and accountability must prevail, urging relevant anti-corruption agencies and oversight institutions to conduct a detailed audit of the alleged ₦432bn expenditure. According to them, the people of Kaduna State deserve clarity on how public funds were utilised, particularly in light of infrastructural gaps and persistent security issues that affected several communities.

They further alleged that Southern Kaduna witnessed significant hardship during the period in question, citing displacement of residents, destruction of property, and economic setbacks in affected areas.

“We are not driven by politics,” one of the youth leaders stated. “Our demand is simple — a transparent probe that will either clear the air or establish responsibility where necessary.”

The group also cautioned against politicising the issue ahead of future electoral cycles, warning that attempts to silence dissenting voices would only deepen mistrust among citizens.

However, supporters of the former governor have previously defended his record, pointing to infrastructure projects, urban renewal initiatives, and fiscal reforms carried out during his time in office. They argue that borrowing and expenditure were tied to long-term development strategies aimed at modernising the state.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from El-Rufai or his representatives regarding the latest demand for a probe.

Observers say the development may reignite political debate in Kaduna State, especially as alignments and realignments continue ahead of the next election cycle.