Haruna Defends Bauchi Assembly PAC, Rejects Allegations of Complicity

By Mubarak Aliyu Kobi

Chairman of the Bauchi State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), Hon. Mubarak Haruna, has strongly defended the committee against allegations of negligence and compromise, insisting that the claims are a distortion of facts intended to discredit the legislature and the state government.

Hon. Haruna, who represents Jama’are Constituency, made the clarification while briefing journalists in Bauchi, stressing that his position was not influenced by partisan considerations. “I am not a member of the ruling PDP, and I am not planning to join the PDP,” he stated, adding that his comments were meant “to enlighten the public and correct the falsehoods being peddled by mischievous individuals.”

He described reports questioning the effectiveness of the Public Accounts Committee as misleading, noting that the committee has consistently discharged its constitutional responsibilities since inception. According to him, “The narrative that the PAC is inactive or shielding anyone is completely unfounded.”

The lawmaker explained that the committee conducted comprehensive oversight engagements across ministries, departments, agencies, and local government councils, where accounting officers appeared before the committee with official financial records. “All relevant institutions were visited, and documents were thoroughly examined,” he said.

Hon. Haruna maintained that the committee’s findings did not support the figures allegedly cited in a recent media publication. “After careful scrutiny, we did not find any such claims or amounts as alleged in the newspaper report,” he emphasized.

Outlining the scope of the committee’s work, he said, “We have reviewed audit reports, investigated financial irregularities, held public hearings, monitored the implementation of audit recommendations, and conducted budget defenses for the Offices of the Auditor-General for both state and local governments.”

He further disclosed that outstanding issues raised by the Auditor-General had been resolved, stating, “All audit queries and observations contained in the 2024 Auditor-General’s report have been properly addressed in accordance with due process.”

Hon. Haruna urged the public to ignore unverified reports, reiterating that the House of Assembly operates independently. “The House has nothing to hide. We are guided by transparency, accountability, and constitutional responsibility, without any interference from the executive,” he said, while commending Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed’s administration for implementing legislative resolutions aimed at strengthening public financial management.