The state Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Tukur Mu’Azu, administered the oath of office and allegiance to both the governor and his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe.
In his inaugural speech, the newly sworn-in governor declared that he would treat all citizens of the state equally.
He also renamed the popular “Rabah road” where the late Sardauna Sokoto and Premier of defunct Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, resided as ‘Nasir El-Rufai road.’
The governor, reading from a prepared speech titled, ‘Hope renewed; Consolidation assured,’ noted that he assumed office as the state’s new helmsman, “well prepared, very determined and imbued with a clear vision for the continued progress” of the state.
He added that his administration would be guided by the principles of inclusiveness, fairness, justice and equity.
He also noted that under his watch, there won’t be issues such as settler/indigene dichotomy in Kaduna State, adding that “we are all citizens of Kaduna State with equal rights, privileges and responsibilities.”
According to him, “My government will be the government of all. Whether you voted for me or not, I have a responsibility towards you. I will be fair to all.”
The governor, therefore, urged all and sundry to support his administration “so that together we can take our dear state to a higher level.”
He said, “I am well aware that leadership is not just a job but a calling; and I am very conscious of the fact that as your Governor, the safety, security and welfare of the people of Kaduna State shall be the main focus of this administration in collaboration with the incoming members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
“I come prepared, very determined and imbued with a clear vision for the continued progress of Kaduna state.
“I am determined to run an administration that will not shy away from taking tough decisions for the greater good of our people.
“My administration shall undertake programmes and policies that will enhance productivity, encourage creativity and harness the rich diversity and cosmopolitan nature of this State.”
Sani stated that his administration’s programmes and policies shall be people-oriented.
“I shall run an all-inclusive government that shall leave no one or any part of Kaduna State behind,” he stressed.
As El-Rufai left N80.60bn, $577.32million debts
Earlier, former governor, Nasir El-rufai, while addressing the mammoth at the Murtala Square, the venue of the inauguration, said he left the state better than when he assumed office in 2015, noting that his administration initiated legacies projects that empowered the citizens.
El-Rufai, however, disclosed as of yesterday, 28th May 2023, that he left a domestic debt of N80.60bn and a foreign debt of $ 577.32 million debt for the Una Sani’s administration.
“As of the last financial year, Kaduna State has the following liabilities -Domestic debt: N64.54bn, Other Contingent Liabilities: N16.06bn and Foreign debts: US $577.32m, ” he said.
The former governor added that his administration spent N818.bn on capital expenditure between 2015 and 2022 in the prosecution of “our first and second State Development Plans, attracting nearly US $5bn in foreign and domestic investments that created jobs, improved our tax receipts and laid a solid foundation for the future.”
He said, “We are leaving behind a net cash balance in our Treasury Single Account of about N5bn after deductions for the payments of salaries, pensions and dues to the Local Government Councils, and US $2.05m in our Domiciliary Account as of yesterday 28th May 2023.
“Kaduna State has receivables for reimbursements of infrastructure and security spending from the Federal Government amounting to about N41bn, that will be paid to the state in due course.
“This does not include the sums due to the State as a share of the accumulated stamp duties receipts, estimated at over N100bn, that the incoming government will certainly receive before the end of this year.
“I am therefore optimistic that the incoming government will in due course be in a position to settle all inherited liabilities, complete ongoing projects and initiate new ones by the Grace of God.”
El-Rufai also admonished his successor to assemble a competent team that will assist his administration’s performance just as he did in the last eight years.
