*Allege Sundry Misdeeds By Detained Ex-Gov
*However, Former Gov Innocent Till Proven Guilty
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
More trouble appears underway for embattled former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, as traders and sacked teachers of public schools in the state have called on the federal and state governments to prosecute him over alleged demolition of markets, homes and mass job losses during his administration.
El-Rufai was governor from 2015-2023.
The victims, who spoke under the auspices of different groups, claimed that their means of livelihood were destroyed and rights violated, leaving them in hardship.
These were contained in a statement by Ibraheem Musa, media aide to Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, yesterday.
According to the statement, one of the said victims and Chairman of Rigasa Market Association, Alhaji Abduljaleel Abdullahi Namama, said traders were among the worst hit, alleging that markets were demolished at the time without compensation.
“We were among the first traders whose market was demolished. The former governor promised to pay us compensation and rebuild the market, but nothing was done,” he alleged.
Alhaji Namama added that the once-busy commercial area had now become deserted.
“Now the place has turned into a ghost town,” he said.
Namama called on the authorities to compel the former governor to take responsibility.
“We want the government to ensure that El-Rufai pays for the damage he caused. We will not vote for APC again until this is done,” he threatened.
Similarly, Chairman of Kawo Market, Mohamed Idris, said many traders who once owned goods worth millions of Naira had been rendered destitute.
“Some traders who had goods worth millions now have nothing because their properties were destroyed. We were promised compensation and a new market, but nothing happened,” he disclosed.
He said the traders were now seeking justice and restitution,saying “we want to make sure our rights are restored.”
On their part, sacked teachers decried what they described as unfair dismissal and unpaid entitlements by the administration.
One of them, a former teacher from Romi, Esther Moses, narrated a story of woe, saying she lost both her job and home during the period.
Her words: “I worked for 18 years, but I have still not been paid my entitlements. My house was demolished, and that led to the death of my husband.”
Another former teacher, Betty Henry, called on the government to intervene and ensure they receive their dues.
“We need justice,” she said.
Also speaking, a representative of affected residents under the auspice of Concerned Kaduna Indigenes, Joseph Chori, alleged widespread human rights violations during the El-Rufai administration.
“These are Kaduna indigenes whose fundamental human rights have been violated.
“Some of us here are also teachers who were sacked, and many had their houses demolished,” Chori alleged.
He urged the Federal Government not to relent in ongoing investigations against El-Rufai, insisting that the former governor must face justice.
“He must be brought to justice and must go to jail,” Chori urged, even as People&Politics notes that the ex-Gov. has not been found guilty of offences for which he was arrested.
Another resident, Jonathan Matthew, who claimed to have suffered personal losses, warned that failure to act on the El-Rufai matter could have political consequences.
“If the government does not take action, we will not continue supporting APC. If they want our votes, then justice must be done. People are suffering,” Matthew claimed.
El-Rufai is currently in the custody of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since about 18 February, 2026 regarding allegations of money laundering, abuse of office, and conversion of public property, following investigations into his tenure.
The detention is backed by court-authorized remand orders. However, his legal team has contested the remand orders, with a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed to challenge his detention.
*PHOTO CAPTION: El-Rufai.
