Gov’ship poll: How Gov el-Rufai shared cash to Muslim clerics
The Daily Times is in possession of documents in which the Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s administration in Kaduna State allegedly shared money to respectable Muslim clerics in the state, in order for them to preach in the Mosques yesterday (Friday) in support of his re-election.
The above move is in spite of the guideline of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which mandated that campaigns end by 12 mid night of Friday.
According to the document, a total of N14 million was distributed to Eight (8) prominent Imams while another N20 million was shared to others Imams that were not mentioned in the list, bringing to a total of N34 million.
The money sharing document, a memorandum, was written and signed by the Director General (Interfaith), in the office of the Secretary to the State Government and was signed by the Director General, Engr. Muhammed Namadi Musa, himself.
He wrote to the SSG that “The SSG may wish to note that in line with the agreed plan of providing logistics to Imams of Jummat Mosques towards a favourable Friday sermon, the Friday preceding the date of the Gubernatorial election, the 1st batch of the 50% disbursement was released as follows:
1. Sheik Tukur Adam Al Munar Mosque N500,000
2. Sheik Murtala Shanono Malali Mosque N500,000
3. Sheik Aminu Kuwait U/Rimi Mosque N250,000
4. Sheik Saidu Abubakar SMC Mosque N250,000
5. Khamis Almiziri Hayin Malam Bello N250,000
6. Sheik Albani Samaru Zaria Mosque N250,000
7. Sheik Bala Lau N2,500,000
8. Sheik Kabiru Gombe N2,500,000
Total N7,000,000
Continuing, the Director General wrote “The sum of N20,000,000 was also disbursed to the above Imams to share other Islamic clerics that can preach towards our cause of retaining the seat of power in Kaduna State.
The 2nd phase of the 50% balance disbursement is expected to be ready by Thursday 7th March 2019, to enable us fulfill the agreement reached in our last meeting. The above is submitted for your further directives, please.
Daily Times made several efforts to speak with Mr. Sani Aruwan, the Special Assistant to Governor El-Rufai on Media several times to get their side of the matter but his mobile number has been sounding switched-off all through.
Below is a copy of the memorandum
