Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has said he has no
shares in Etisalat after some news outlets reported that he was backing MTN concerning
the fine slammed on it by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), so
Etisalat where he has shares could also be protected at the long run.
shares in Etisalat after some news outlets reported that he was backing MTN concerning
the fine slammed on it by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), so
Etisalat where he has shares could also be protected at the long run.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and
Communications, Muyiwa Adekeye, the
Governor however warned those behind the rumour to stop peddling falsehood
against him, emphasising he has no interest in MTN, and neither did he try to
defend them to protect his alleged shares in Etisalat. Read the full statement after
the cut.
Communications, Muyiwa Adekeye, the
Governor however warned those behind the rumour to stop peddling falsehood
against him, emphasising he has no interest in MTN, and neither did he try to
defend them to protect his alleged shares in Etisalat. Read the full statement after
the cut.
“As part of a duty of political responsiveness to Nigerians
who are entitled to all the facts, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the governor of
Kaduna, hereby issues this statement on the NCC fine.
who are entitled to all the facts, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the governor of
Kaduna, hereby issues this statement on the NCC fine.
“At the most recent meeting of the Nigerian governors’ forum
on Wednesday, 18 November 2015, the executive vice-chairman of the Nigerian
Communications Commission gave a presentation.
on Wednesday, 18 November 2015, the executive vice-chairman of the Nigerian
Communications Commission gave a presentation.
“During the question and answer session that followed, the governor
of Zamfara state brought up the issue of the MTN fine, including reports that
leniency of a reduction in the amount was being considered.
of Zamfara state brought up the issue of the MTN fine, including reports that
leniency of a reduction in the amount was being considered.
“After it was made clear by the NCC that the relevant law
and regulations do not permit leniency in such matters, the governors
unanimously passed a motion that if any flexibility is to be considered by the
federal government, it is that MTN be allowed to stagger payment of the fine in
four installments within one year.
and regulations do not permit leniency in such matters, the governors
unanimously passed a motion that if any flexibility is to be considered by the
federal government, it is that MTN be allowed to stagger payment of the fine in
four installments within one year.
“Governor El-Rufai participated actively in the discussions,
and helped modify the motion that was eventually adopted.
and helped modify the motion that was eventually adopted.
“The NGF does not have constitutional, regulatory or
enforcement powers. Its motion is purely advisory and strongly supportive of
the NCC and the need to uphold regulatory rulings properly issued.
enforcement powers. Its motion is purely advisory and strongly supportive of
the NCC and the need to uphold regulatory rulings properly issued.
“The NGF appreciated that a reduction of such a fine not
only creates moral hazard but subject to even wilder interpretations on how it
was procured.
only creates moral hazard but subject to even wilder interpretations on how it
was procured.
“Apart from encouraging state institutions to uphold rules,
state governors have direct beneficial interest in ensuring that additional
revenues accrue to the federation account for the benefit of the three tiers of
government. This is the greater public interest which motivated the unanimous
passage of the motion by the governors.
state governors have direct beneficial interest in ensuring that additional
revenues accrue to the federation account for the benefit of the three tiers of
government. This is the greater public interest which motivated the unanimous
passage of the motion by the governors.
“Governor Nasir El-Rufai believes that Nigerians will see
beyond the attempt to insert him into a purely regulatory issue. He is not the
NCC and did not author the rules that were breached; neither did he encourage
one out of several telcos to breach a regulation of national security
significance.
beyond the attempt to insert him into a purely regulatory issue. He is not the
NCC and did not author the rules that were breached; neither did he encourage
one out of several telcos to breach a regulation of national security
significance.
“Suffice it to mention that neither Nasir El-Rufai nor
anyone representing him owns any equity interest in Etisalat; neither is it
true that Jabi Mall is owned in any way by El-Rufai or any person related to
him. “Governor El-Rufai intends to vigorously defend his reputation against the
cowards hiding behind the veil of online anonymity.”
anyone representing him owns any equity interest in Etisalat; neither is it
true that Jabi Mall is owned in any way by El-Rufai or any person related to
him. “Governor El-Rufai intends to vigorously defend his reputation against the
cowards hiding behind the veil of online anonymity.”
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