Governor Uba Sani says he took a salary slash, and his commissioners are using cars used by former governor Nasir El-Rufai’s government to cut the cost of governance.

In a viral video seen on X on Thursday, Mr Sani explained that his government is “doing some work because he and his cabinet members have to cut the cost of governance” by stopping some allowances and using old vehicles.

“I’m receiving half of my salary since I became governor of Kaduna state,” Mr Sani said. “Today, no commissioner, not even deputy governor, is using a new car in Kaduna state; I told them the cars we inherited from the previous commissioners, let’s use it.”

The Kaduna governor added, “Today, I’m using my personal cars as a governor, and that’s what we have been doing. It is not magic. It is cutting the cost of governance.”

Mr Sani assumed office in May last year, succeeding his godfather, Mr El-Rufai, a former Kaduna governor. 

In a town hall meeting in March, Mr Sani said he inherited a huge debt from Mr El-Rufai’s administration.

“Despite the huge debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities sadly inherited from the previous administration, we remain resolute in steering Kaduna State towards progress and sustainable development,” Mr Sani said.