CONFESSION TIME.!!How my sister got nominated- El-Rufai

Governor Nasir El-Rufai yesterday dismissed claims that he
engineered the nomination of his foster sister, Zainab
Ahmed, for appointment as minister representing the state.
He branded the allegation as a figment of the imagination of
some people who are not pleased with the drastic changes
he is effecting in the state.
Zainab Ahmed is currently Executive Secretary, Nigeria
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
El-Rufai, speaking at the fourth Town Hall Meeting with
residents of the state, said he has discovered that some
people who are pretending to be members or supporters of
the All Progressives Congress (APC) are in fact working for
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said that he did not even nominate anyone to President
Muhammadu Buhari to consider for ministerial
appointment.
El-Rufai took a swipe at critics who had accused him of
favouring the northern part of the state in his appointments.
A non-governmental organisation under the aegis of the
Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), from
Southern Kaduna, had alleged that appointments by the El-
Rufai government are skewed in favour of northern Kaduna.
Spokesman for the group, Mr.James Kantyip, had said: “as
Nigerians they (people of Southern Kaduna) are pained that
the governor has treated the southern Kaduna people with
unabashed vendetta because most of southern Kaduna did
not vote for him and because of our religion and ethnicity.
“Of the 13 commissioners, only four are from southern
Kaduna. This is very unfair and a violation of the
constitution.”
But El-rufai in apparent reference to the group at the Town
Hall meeting dismissed the allegation, saying there was no
iota of truth in their claims.
He said his administration is serving the interests of the
diverse people of the state and would carry them along in all
appointments, but maintained that some elements who
want to reap where they did not sow are jokers.
“You don’t expect me to reject those who voted for me and
pick those who worked against me,” he said.
Besides, the governor warned that his administration would
deal ruthlessly with individuals or groups who attempt to
breach the security of the state.
“No one, no matter how highly placed, who attempts to
cause trouble in the state, will face the full weight of the law,
he vowed.
He also said the state executive council has approved the
purchase of 107 vehicles for security agencies in the state.
On health, the governor said he is collaborating with the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dangote Foundation and
UNICEF in advancing health outcomes of the people, adding
that “the initiatives include healthcare, nutrition, HIV and
AIDS, water, sanitation and child protection.”
He also announced a grant of $1million from the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation.