*Gives Blow-by-Blow Account of El-Rufai Govt’s Alleged Misdemeanors
*’He Wants To Turn State Back Into Killing Fields… Will Not Be Allowed To Happen’
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Tempers are rising in Kaduna State as Governor Uba Sani and his estranged political godfather and immediate predecessor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, are headed for a battle royale –in the public space for that matter.
The State government today gave what it described as a final warning to El-Rufai, accusing him of plotting to cause mayhem across the North Central State in a desperate bid to “destabilize the state and drag it back into its dark and violent past through a calculated mix of overt provocation and covert manipulation.”
In a statement signed by the State Commissioner, Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Suleiman Shuiabu, the government emphasized that the people of Kaduna State had endured enough trauma, bloodshed, and division.
The statement read,in part: “His actions in recent days are not mere political posturing; they are direct threats to the peace, unity, and development of the state.
“The Kaduna State Government is compelled to unequivocally issue this final warning to a former Governor of the State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who, through a calculated mix of overt provocation and covert manipulation, is plotting to unleash mayhem across Kaduna State in a desperate bid to destabilize the state and drag it back into its dark and violent past.
“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.”
The statement added: “Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has made it glaringly obvious that he can not stomach the progress Kaduna is making under the administration of Governor Uba SanI.
“This administration has been widely recognized for its inclusive, people-centered, and security-focused approach to governance.
“In just under two years, Kaduna has transitioned from a state at the brink of collapse, saddled with insecurity, deep ethno-religious wounds and crushing debt, to a growing beacon of hope, unity, and development.
“But instead of supporting this journey of recovery, El-Rufai has chosen to obstruct it by exploiting old wounds and deliberately peddling dangerous lies designed to incite violence and discord.
“The Kaduna State Government is aware that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai intensified his plots following the massive electoral losses suffered by his political surrogates during the August 16 bye-elections.
“His rejected candidates and the incoherent political 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. These victories, especially in historically opposition-dominated constituencies, were not mere flukes.
“They were a verdict on El-Rufai’s legacy: one of exclusion, division, and destruction, and an endorsement of the current administration’s focus on peace, prosperity, and inclusion.
“Rather than accept this democratic outcome with dignity, El-Rufai has chosen to respond with sabotage. On August 30th, he convened an illegal and chaotic meeting of his so-called political coalition, which descended into violence, including gunshots that endangered innocent citizens.
“True to form, El-Rufai attempted to shift blame by falsely accusing the government of sponsoring thugs to disrupt the meeting. This is a lie, one deliberately crafted to provoke unrest and test the patience of the Kaduna State Government.”
The State government asked –and answered -a rhetorical question: “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 State Government stated that it was also alarmed by what it described as the former governor’s incendiary remarks in a recent interview on national television during which he accused both federal and state governments of “bribing bandits”.
It noted: ”These are not mere words: they are calculated, malicious lies designed to undermine security efforts, incite public anger, and legitimize criminality.
“At a time when Governor Uba Sani, in collaboration with the Federal Government and security agencies, has made commendable strides in restoring security, El-Rufai seeks to discredit those gains and turn Kaduna back into a killing field.
“Such acts of subversion are unacceptable and will be met with the full weight of the law.
“Indeed, El Rufai’s appearance on Channels Television’s ‘ Sunday Politics’ programme on August 31, 2025, was yet another display of this dangerous agenda. His reckless allegation that both the Federal and Kaduna State Governments are “bribing bandits” to achieve peace in Kaduna State is not just false, it is an insult to the sacrifices of our armed forces, the intelligence community, and the thousands of local stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to restore peace in Kaduna.
“The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has rightly debunked these malicious claims. In a strongly worded rebuttal, ONSA stated unequivocally that neither it nor any agency under this administration has ever paid or induced bandits.
“On the contrary, both the federal and the Kaduna state governments have repeatedly urged Nigerians never to pay ransom and have committed to pursuing justice through coordinated military and community engagement strategies.
“El-Rufai’s allegations are not only baseless but also contradict verifiable facts. Through the combined efforts of the security agencies and community-led peace-building models such as the Kaduna Peace Accord championed by Governor Uba Sani in 6 LGAs, like Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Kajuru, Kauru, Kachia and Igabi, these areas, once synonymous with violence, are now experiencing relative calm.
“In fact, notorious bandit kingpins like Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow, Janburos, Buhari, and Boka have all been eliminated. Even leaders of Ansaru, who once used parts of Kaduna as their base of operations, have been apprehended.
“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. It is dangerous.
“It is a deliberate act of sabotage. The Kaduna State Government joins the ONSA in calling on El-Rufai and his allies to stop dragging security agencies into petty political conflicts.
Recounts Sordid Goings-on During El-Rufai Era And Current Status
“It is common knowledge that El-Rufai’s time as Governor was characterized by ethno-religious division, disregard for human life, a climate of fear, and the systematic marginalization of whole communities.
“He pitted the people of Southern Kaduna against their brothers and sisters in the North. He weaponised religion and ethnicity to divide and conquer. The trauma inflicted during his eight-year misrule is still fresh in the minds of the people.
“And yet, having been comprehensively rejected at the polls and discredited by history, he now seeks to exploit the very same divisions he created, hoping to derail the unity and cooperation that has taken root under Governor Uba Sani.
“Governor Uba Sani has moved in an opposite direction: one of healing, dialogue, inclusion, and sustainable development. Through a deft combination of kinetic and non-kinetic measures, the Uba Sani administration has restored peace in previously volatile communities.
“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.
“Beyond security, Governor Uba Sani has launched transformative initiatives in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and financial inclusion. Over 2.5 million previously unbanked citizens have been integrated into the financial system.
“Primary healthcare centers have been upgraded across all 23 Local Government Areas, and secondary hospitals are undergoing major renovations. Education outcomes have improved dramatically, with Kaduna now ranked 7th nationally in WAEC results.
“Rural and urban communities are being connected through high-quality roads, and abandoned projects from past administrations are being revived and completed. This is governance with a conscience; governance that puts people before politics.
“But El-Rufai cannot relate to this kind of leadership. He thrives in chaos. He relies on fear. He is intoxicated by power and allergic to progress he did not initiate.
“He can not comprehend that governance can succeed without the use of brute force or ethnic manipulation. He does not understand that consensus-building, consultation, and inclusion are the true marks of leadership. And now, stripped of relevance and rejected by the people, he seeks to make Kaduna ungovernable once more.”p
“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 destabilize the state.
“The security and well-being of the people of Kaduna will not be sacrificed on the altar of El-Rufai’s personal vendettas or political delusions.
“Let it be clear: Kaduna has moved on, and it will not return to the dark days of El-Rufai’s tyranny.
“This is a government driven by the spirit of inclusion, equity, and progress. The days of selective development and punitive governance are over. Under Governor Uba Sani, every community matters.
“Every citizen counts. Development knows no political or ethnic boundary. The era of nepotism, impunity, and state-sanctioned intimidation is gone. Kaduna is now a state governed by laws, not whims; by principles, not paranoia.
“The former Governor’s attempt to foment ethno-religious conflict is not just immoral; it is criminal. The people of Kaduna must not fall for his antics.
“They must see his provocations for what they are: desperate acts by a failed leader trying to stay relevant by plunging the state into anarchy.
“We call on the people of Kaduna, regardless of ethnicity or religion, to reject his message of hate and embrace the peace and unity we are building together.
“Let there be no doubt: the Kaduna State Government has the capacity, the resolve, and the legal backing to deal decisively with any individual or group that seeks to destabilize the state.
“The law will take its course. Security agencies are alert to their constitutional responsibilities. The peace of Kaduna State is non-negotiable. Anyone who dares to threaten it, be it Nasir El-Rufai or any of his accomplices, will be held accountable.
“The Kaduna State Government reaffirms its unwavering commitment to peace, good governance, and the rule of law. The people of Kaduna have chosen progress over propaganda, peace over provocation, and unity over division.
“We will defend their choice with every legal and institutional tool at our disposal. Malam Nasir El-Rufai’s time is over. Kaduna belongs to the future, not to the ruins of the past.”
PHOTO CAPTION: El-Rufai (left) and Gov. Sani…At dagger’s drawn.
