The Kaduna State House of Assembly has threatened to take legal action against a former governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai, for allegedly referring to its members as ?stark illiterates.?

Speaking to newsmen yesterday, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Henry Marah, described the remark as defamatory and an attack on their character.

He dismissed the former governor?s claim, stressing that all assembly members met constitutional requirements to contest and win their respective seats.

Recall that the former governor on Tuesday ?attacked? members of the state assembly during an interview aired on Freedom Radio calling them ?illiterates.?

?I wish to remind the former governor that all the honourable members of the Assembly have met constitutional requirements to contest and win their various elections. This is enshrined in Section 106 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),? Marah said.

He also criticised El-Rufai?s assertion that the assembly lacked the capacity to probe his administration, stressing that the former governor is ignorant of the law.

?It is also disheartening to note that the former governor is ignorant of the provision of the constitution, specifically sections 128 and 129 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

?This empowers the assembly to conduct investigations on any matter or thing with respect to which it has power to make laws,? he added.

The lawmaker refuted El-Rufai?s claim that the ad hoc committee?s report on his administration was authored by an external party, stressing that the assembly was simply carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

Marah said El-Rufai remained indicted until the committee?s findings are successfully challenged in court.

Recall that the Kaduna State House of Assembly ad hoc committee which probed the financial dealings of the eight years administration of El-Rufai had indicted him and some key members of his cabinet for alleged corruption in the awards of contracts and management of both domestic and foreign loans obtained by his government. (Daily Trust)

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