Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, yesterday, declared that he became a dollar-denominated millionaire in his 20s. He also denied that he is worth N90billion as allegedly declared in his asset declaration before the Code of Conduct Bureau in Kaduna. He however did not state his present worth.
The UNION had reported that the former Director General of the Bureau For Public Enterprises (BPE) and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had allegedly declared ownership of 40 houses in his asset declaration form.
Speaking through his media aide, Samuel Aruwan, the governor stated that he is a qualified chartered surveyor and started making money early in life.
“Malam Nasir El-Rufai is a privileged Nigerian. He qualified as a chartered Quantity Surveyor early in life and became a dollar millionaire in his twenties”, the statement read in part while describing the publication by The UNION as “blatant falsehood” and a “rumour”.
The statement reads: “After a busy few weeks as governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai is dismayed by the blatant falsehood being practiced as journalism by The UNION newspapers.
“He has consequently directed his legal team to vigorously enforce his rights to protect his reputation from the vandalism of irresponsible hacks.”
El-Rufai dismissed the story as rumour, alleging that “the circle of blackmail that did the story claimed they heard a rumour, and pursued the rumour so vigorously and transformed it into news”.
However, Aruwan did not give details of how the governor became a “dollar millionaire” in his 20s.
El-Rufai’s bio data indicates that he was born on February 3, 1960 and graduated from the famous Barewa College Zaria in 1976.
Culled from The Union.