The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected Governor Uba Sani’s attribution of the state’s N6.7 billion monthly debt deductions to loans inherited from the administration of former governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The party accused Sani of attempting to distance himself from the financial obligations despite his alleged involvement in securing one of the major loan facilities while serving as a senator.
In a statement, Kaduna PDP Chairman Edward Percy Masha argued that Sani had supported the approval of a $350 million World Bank loan for Kaduna State in 2020. At the time, Sani represented Kaduna Central in the Senate and chaired the Senate Committee on Banking.
Masha said the governor had publicly defended the loan and vouched for the El-Rufai administration’s ability to utilise the facility responsibly.
“Governor Uba Sani cannot lead the campaign for a loan, publicly defend it, ask to be held responsible for its prudent utilisation, and then, years later, present the resulting repayment burden as though he had no role in the process,” Masha said.
The PDP urged the governor to focus on explaining how his administration intends to manage Kaduna’s debt obligations rather than engaging in what it described as a blame game.
The controversy followed comments by Sani during a television interview in which he said his administration had not borrowed money since assuming office. He disclosed that the state currently spends about N6.7 billion every month servicing loans inherited from previous administrations.
The governor also highlighted his administration’s interventions in education, agriculture, infrastructure, skills development and security despite the financial pressure created by inherited debts.
The dispute is important because debt servicing directly affects the resources available to a state government for salaries, infrastructure and public services. It also comes as political parties intensify activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
The PDP has called for greater transparency regarding Kaduna’s debt profile and management of the monthly deductions.
The disagreement adds another dimension to the longstanding political tensions surrounding the financial legacy of the El-Rufai administration. As the debate continues, residents will be watching for clearer details on the origin of the loans, repayment obligations and the state government’s plans to manage its finances.
