Asset declaration: We stand by our story on El-Rufai’s N90 billion worth —The Union Editor-in-Chief

Asset declaration: We stand by our story on El-Rufai’s N90 billion worth —The Union Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief of The Union, the Lagos daily that today reported Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna as declaring assets to the tune of N90 billion and 40 houses in Abuja in the form he filled with the Code of Conduct Bureau, has refused to either apologise or retract the story.

“Well, for now, yes, we stand by our story,” Casmir Igbokwe told News Express this afternoon. “The story was based on information from our reporter. We have no reason to doubt our reporter. He got the story from reliable sources and he contacted his (El-Rufai’s) media people and Code of Conduct Bureau but they chose not to comment,” Mr. Igbokwe added.

On El-Rufai’s threat to sue, Igbokwe said: “He has the right to sue us; it is his fundamental human right. If he says what we wrote is false, let him release what he declared. We have no malice towards him. He should give us what he is worth.”

The seasoned journalist and media manager said The Union is against secret declaration of assets “as was done by President Muhammadu Buahrai, and now by El-Rufai,” as it does no good to the country’s democracy.

Below is The Unions initial report.

Asset declaration: We stand by our story on El-Rufai’s
N90 billion worth —The Union Editor-in-Chief

Uneasy Calm Pervades Kaduna Following Declaration Of N90 Billion Assets By The Governor

Governor Nasir ElRufai of Kaduna State has declared his asset. He is worth N90 billion. The governor’s assets declaration came as a big shock to most Kaduna residents yesterday as he allegedly declared ownership of 40 mansions, most of which are located in Abuja. Kaduna State Director Code of Conduct Bureau, George

David, however, declined to comment when contacted.

He said the law on asset declaration permitted public office holders not to make their asset declaration public. The director however disclosed that asset declaration by El- Rufai and his Deputy were made long before yesterday.

According to him, any further information concerning the amount and assets involved in the declaration form, could only be enquired from Abuja headquarter of the Bureau.

Governor El-Rufai’s Adviser on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye, confirmed that the governor had declared his assets but promised to get back to journalists with details. As at press time, he never did.