Kaduna Government Accuses El-Rufai Of Inciting Violence To Destabilize The State

The Kaduna State Government has hit back at former governor Nasir El-Rufai over his claim that federal and state authorities are “bribing bandits” in the name of peace.

In a statement on Monday, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Suleiman Shuaibu, described El-Rufai’s comments as deliberate lies aimed at stirring anger, undermining security operations, and giving criminals a sense of legitimacy.

According to him, the former governor’s actions are nothing short of a threat to peace and development.

He accused El-Rufai of trying to destabilise the state through provocation and incitement, warning that it would resist any attempt to drag Kaduna back into chaos.

Shuaibu linked El-Rufai’s latest outburst to the defeat of his political allies in the August 16 by-elections.

“This government will not fold its arms and allow a discredited former leader, who left the state in ruins, to ignite chaos and plunge the state into another era of ethno-religious tension, insecurity, and economic stagnation.

“His rejected candidates and the incoherent coalition he assembled were resoundingly defeated in free, fair, and transparent elections that affirmed the people’s trust in the APC’s leadership and Senator Uba Sani’s progressive governance.

“Rather than accept this democratic outcome with dignity, El-Rufai has chosen to respond with sabotage,” Shuaibu said.

The government also accused the ex-governor of organising “an illegal and chaotic meeting” with his loyalists on August 30, which allegedly ended in violence and gunfire.

It said El-Rufai later tried to shift blame by accusing the state of sponsoring thugs to disrupt the gathering.

“True to form, El-Rufai attempted to shift blame by falsely accusing the government of sponsoring thugs to disrupt the meeting,” the statement read.

“The question must be asked: why would a Governor who has just won the hearts of the people through credible elections need to disrupt a gathering of losers?

“This narrative is not only insulting to the intelligence of Kaduna residents, but also exposes El-Rufai’s determination to return Kaduna to the orgy of violence and fear that defined his tenure.”

The commissioner added that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) had already dismissed El-Rufai’s claims, insisting that no government agency has ever paid money to bandits.

“On the contrary, both the federal and Kaduna state governments have repeatedly urged Nigerians never to pay ransom and have committed to pursuing justice through coordinated military and community engagement strategies,” Shuaibu added.

He highlighted progress recorded under Governor Uba Sani, pointing to improvements in areas once plagued by banditry, such as Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Kajuru, Kauru, Kachia, and Igabi.

According to him, top bandit leaders including Boderi, Baleri, and Sani Yellow have been eliminated, while Ansaru members have been captured.

“For a former governor, who once occupied the highest office in the state, to publicly deny these hard-won victories, and in doing so insult the memory of brave officers who died in the line of duty, is beyond shameful,” he said.

Shuaibu contrasted El-Rufai’s eight years in office, which it said were marked by “division and fear,” with Sani’s nearly two years, which it described as a period of dialogue, inclusion, and development.

“It is common knowledge that El-Rufai’s time as governor was characterised by ethno-religious division, disregard for human life, a climate of fear, and the systematic marginalisation of whole communities,” the statement said.

“Governor Uba Sani has moved in an opposite direction: one of healing, dialogue, inclusion, and sustainable development. Through dialogue with traditional rulers, local leaders, and rural communities, the Government has fostered trust and ownership in security strategies.

“The Kaduna Peace Model has yielded measurable results, with economic activity returning to previously bandit-infested zones like Birnin Gwari. Children are back in school, farmers are back on their land, and the people are beginning to hope again.”

The statement also listed achievements in education, healthcare and infrastructure, claiming that Kaduna now ranks 7th nationally in WAEC results, with millions of citizens integrated into the financial system and healthcare facilities upgraded across the 23 local government areas.

The commissioner warned El-Rufai to stop actions capable of disrupting peace and said security agencies were on alert.

He said, “The Kaduna State Government will not allow this. This administration will do whatever it takes, within the bounds of the law, to preserve the peace and stability that our people have worked so hard to rebuild.

“No individual, no matter how highly placed or previously powerful, will be allowed to destabilise the state. The peace of Kaduna State is non-negotiable.”

He urged residents not to fall for “the provocations of a failed leader trying to stay relevant by plunging the state into anarchy

KanyiDaily recalla that Nasir El-Rufai previously sued the Kaduna State House of Assembly over allegations that his administration siphoned ₦432 billion, leaving the state in debt.