The Kaduna State Government has launched a blistering attack on former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of deliberately plotting to destabilise the state and undermine recent gains in peace and development.
In a statement issued by Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Suleiman Shuaibu, the government described El-Rufai as a man “addicted to power and sustained by chaos,” warning that any attempt to drag Kaduna back into ethno-religious conflict would be met with decisive action.
“Kaduna has endured too many years of bloodshed and division,” the statement said.
“This administration will not fold its arms while a discredited former leader, who left this state in crisis, seeks to provoke unrest and destroy the progress we’ve worked hard to achieve.”
The government alleged that tensions began to rise after political allies of the former governor lost the August 16 by-elections, prompting what officials described as “overt provocation and covert manipulation” aimed at igniting fresh violence.
According to Shuaibu, El-Rufai allegedly convened an “illegal and chaotic” political gathering on August 30, which reportedly turned violent, with gunfire endangering residents.
He further accused the former governor of falsely claiming that state authorities sponsored thugs to disrupt the meeting.
“Why would a government that just earned the people’s mandate through a free and credible process feel threatened by a gathering of political losers?” Shuaibu asked.
The statement also condemned El-Rufai’s appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he alleged that federal and state officials were paying off bandits to maintain peace.
“These are calculated lies,” the government said. “They are designed to incite public anger, legitimise criminality, and sabotage ongoing security operations. They insult the sacrifices of our armed forces and intelligence community.”
Officials noted that the Office of the National Security Adviser had already dismissed El-Rufai’s claims as baseless, describing them as an attempt to discredit progress recorded under Governor Uba Sani.
Highlighting “hard-won security victories,” the state government pointed to reduced attacks in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Kajuru, Kauru, Kachia, and Igabi, where notorious bandit leaders had been neutralised and Ansaru commanders captured.
“For a former governor to deny these achievements, and in doing so insult the memory of security operatives who died defending Kaduna, is beyond shameful. It is deliberate sabotage,” Shuaibu declared.
The government further contrasted what it described as El-Rufai’s “legacy of fear and division” with Governor Uba Sani’s policies of dialogue, inclusiveness, and sustainable development, noting progress in security, education, healthcare, and infrastructure within the last two years.
“El-Rufai thrives in chaos. He relies on fear. Stripped of political relevance, he now seeks to make Kaduna ungovernable once more,” the statement warned. “This administration will not allow it.”
The government urged residents to resist attempts to rekindle ethnic and religious violence, assuring that security agencies had been placed on alert to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
“Let there be no doubt: Kaduna has the capacity, the resolve, and the legal authority to deal decisively with anyone threatening its peace,” the statement concluded.
“Whoever they are, Nasir El-Rufai or his allies, they will be held accountable.”