Do Not Be Deceived By Their Lies – Senator Blasts Kaduna Elders Over Recall Threats

The lawmaker representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Lawal Usman, has fired back at the Kaduna Elders’ Forum (KEF) following their demand for his recall from the National Assembly, accusing the group of serving political interests rather than the people.

The KEF, led by its Chairman, Inuwa Rigasa, had alleged non-performance by the senator, citing failure to fulfil campaign promises and claims of undermining peace in the state.

Rigasa stated, “Since his election to the Senate in 2023, Senator Lawal Adamu has failed to speak up or act in the interest of his constituents despite the prevailing economic hardships. This is unprecedented in the history of senatorial representation in the state.”

In a swift rebuttal through a statement titled “Kaduna Elders’ Forum’s infantile outbursts: Empty barrel making most noise,” released by his Senior Special Assistant, Segun Olatunji, in Kaduna on Tuesday, Senator Usman described the allegations as “laughable” and “infantile.”

He accused the forum of being a front for politically motivated attacks.

“I am too busy with my legislative duties to engage in disputatious arguments with frivolous individuals working to achieve the selfish interests of some unserious politicians hiding behind a finger to fight political battles with me,” he said.

The senator also dismissed the threats as a recycled ploy by the same individuals who had previously issued a similar ultimatum under a different guise.

“What became of the group’s earlier recall threat with a 14-day ultimatum made to me last year under the cover of the Kaduna Peace and Tranquility Forum (KPTF)? The rehash of the same threat by the same set of individuals under a new name (KEF) is laughable and curious,” he added.

Questioning the credibility of the KEF, Usman accused its members of acting on behalf of their political sponsors rather than prioritizing the welfare of the constituents.

He said, “I urge the good people of Kaduna Central Senatorial District not to allow themselves to be deceived by the lies being peddled against me by the so-called Kaduna elders, as they lack the morality to continue to pretend to love the ordinary people of the constituency, whereas they have been engaged in their nefarious activities in the interest of their sponsors and paymasters.”

The Senator highlighted his achievements in the past 18 months, including the provision of 100 smart primary school buildings, scholarships, boreholes for potable water, solar lights, entrepreneurial training for farmers, sponsorship of hundreds of students for WAEC and UTME (JAMB) examinations, business startup capital for 500 beneficiaries, payment of registration fees for 1000 tertiary institution students, training for 100 women in soap making, and training for 200 beneficiaries in fish farming.

“Specifically, I have recorded unprecedented achievements in the past 18 months by providing among many others 100 smart primary school buildings, scholarships, boreholes for potable water, solar lights, entrepreneurial training for farmers, sponsorship of hundreds of students for WAEC and UTME (JAMB) examinations, N500,000 each as business startup capital given to no fewer than 500 beneficiaries, payment of the registration fee for 1000 tertiary institutions students, training for 100 women in soap making with startup capital and training of 200 beneficiaries in fish farming with startup capital,” he said.

Usman also mentioned his motion to expedite the reconstruction of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway, which received unanimous approval from the Senate.

He also mentioned four crucial motions and four bills currently in their third reading stages.

He urged his constituents to remain calm and disregard the KEF’s recall threat, handling it with the disdain it deserves.

“I urge my constituents to remain calm in the face of the needless provocative statements by the KEF, while also disregarding the group’s recall threat by handling it with the disdain it deserves,” he said.