Elrufai

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The family of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), demanding either credible evidence for a murder allegation or a public retraction and apology.

The dispute stems from a live appearance by General Musa on Channels Television’s Politics Today on September 3, 2026, during which he allegedly claimed that Mr. El-Rufai actively orchestrated killings in Southern Kaduna while serving as governor.

In a press statement signed by Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai on behalf of the family, the former governor’s relatives described the allegation as “grave” and “unsubstantiated,” noting that no evidence was presented to back the claim.

“While General Musa (Rtd.) is entitled to hold and express his personal opinions, the El-Rufai family is equally entitled to demand that such serious allegations be substantiated with credible evidence,” the statement read.

The family has given the Defence Minister until September 14, 2026, to either produce proof of his allegation or retract it publicly through the same media platform.

“In the absence of such evidence, we call on him to publicly retract the allegation through the same medium on which it was made,” the statement added.

The El-Rufai family warned that failure to comply would leave them with “no option but to pursue all appropriate legal remedies available under the law.”

Mr. El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and current Opposition Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has faced various political and regional security criticisms during his tenure, but this marks the first time a sitting cabinet member has made such a direct personal accusation against him on national television.

As of press time, the Defence Ministry had not issued an official response to the ultimatum.

Ministan Tsaro, Christopher Musa, ya zargi tsohon Gwamnan Jihar Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, da shirya kisan wasu daga cikin mutanen Kudancin Kaduna a lokacin da yake kan mulki.

Musa ya bayyana hakan ne yayin wata hira da gidan talabijin na Channels a shirin Politics Today ranar Alhamis.

Ministan ya ce gwamnatin El-Rufai ta haifar da rarrabuwar kawuna a Kaduna, inda mazauna Kudancin Kaduna suka samu matsala wajen rayuwa a arewacin jihar, haka kuma wasu daga arewacin jihar suka koma kudanci.

Ya ce gwamnatin Gwamna Uba Sani ta yi kokari wajen dawo da haɗin kai da amincewa tsakanin al’ummar jihar.

“Mun san yadda lamarin yake lokacin El-Rufai; abin ya kasance mai guba,” in ji Musa.»

Ya ƙara da cewa, “El-Rufai ya aikata munanan abubuwa da dama a Jihar Kaduna. Ya raba jihar gida biyu. Ta yadda idan kai ɗan kudu ne, ba za ka iya zuwa arewa ka zauna ba. Waɗanda suke daga arewa kuma suna komawa kudu.”

Musa ya ce ko da yake har yanzu ba a kai ga samun cikakken haɗin kai ba, gwamnatin Uba Sani tana yin ƙoƙari wajen haɗa kan al’ummar jihar.

Da yake magana kan yadda mutanen Kudancin Kaduna ke kallon tsohon gwamnan, ministan ya ce har yanzu mutane na fama da radadin kisan da aka samu a yankin a lokacin mulkinsa.

Ya zargi El-Rufai da gangan ya shirya kashe mutanen yankin.

“To, ban san ko rashin farin ciki shi ne kalmar da ta dace ba. Ina ganin idan akwai wani abu da ya fi rashin farin ciki, ba za mu taɓa farin ciki da mutumin da ya shirya kashe mutanenmu da gangan ba,” in ji shi.»

Musa ya kuma yi zargin cewa El-Rufai ya taɓa bayyana a jawabansa cewa ya biya ‘yan bindiga, yana mai cewa tsohon gwamnan bai ɓoye irin waɗannan matakan ba.

Ya ce mutanen Kudancin Kaduna har yanzu suna cikin raɗaɗin tunanin kisan da aka yi a yankin, duk da cewa yanayin tsaro ya samu sauƙi a yanzu.

Ministan ya kuma zargi tsohon gwamnan da tauye wa wasu mazauna Kaduna damar samun abubuwa daban-daban a lokacin mulkinsa, ciki har da mutanen daga yankin da El-Rufai ya fito.

A ƙarshe, Musa ya yi kira ga ‘yan Najeriya da su ƙi goyon bayan ‘yan siyasar da ke amfani da addini, ƙabila ko wasu bambance-bambance wajen raba al’umma.

“Ya kamata mu samu ‘yan siyasar da suke son haɗa kan Najeriya. A wurina, duk mutumin da yake amfani da addini, ƙabila, akida ko wani abu wajen raba jihar, ba zai taɓa zama aboki ba; ba zai taɓa zama mutumin da za mu ɗaga wa kai ba,” in ji Musa.»

Ya ƙara da cewa, “Bai kamata irin waɗannan mutane su kasance cikin gwamnati ba. Duk wanda yake amfani da addini ko ƙabila ko wani abu wajen raba Najeriya, makiyin ƙasa ne.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A political disagreement involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Governor Uba Sani has escalated into a public dispute between two of El-Rufai’s sons.

The latest development followed a series of social media posts by Bashir El-Rufai, in which he launched strong criticisms against his elder brother, Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency.

Bashir accused Bello of hypocrisy and abandoning the family over his political relationship with Sani. He also made allegations of substance abuse against his brother.

In one of the posts, Bashir wrote: “I have a useless excuse for a brother, with his bony-ass face coated with an unknown white substance around his nostrils every night. That is your Member of the House of Representatives, representing a whole constituency, but he prefers alcohol and cocaine.”

Bashir also responded to an alleged comment by Bello in which he was reportedly told to kill himself.

“Wawa (Fool). Telling me to kill myself. The idiot should first slaughter his daughter, then I will believe he is real and serious,” he wrote.

He further alleged that Bello had remained politically close to Governor Sani until their relationship deteriorated, after which he returned to the family’s political camp.

“He was stuck with Uba Sani until he realised he was being dumped, then suddenly remembered family loyalty and moved to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Where was he before then?” Bashir said.

Bashir also accused his brother of pursuing personal political interests rather than standing with the family during its disagreements with the governor.

“He is purely serving his own interests. When people like us were countering the ‘towel governor,’ the bastard was nowhere to be found—hiding, eating, and wiping his mouth. This is the same idiot who asked me to pipe down on my criticisms,” he added.

The dispute between the El-Rufai brothers is linked to the worsening relationship between their father and Governor Sani.

Sani and Nasir El-Rufai were previously political allies, but their relationship deteriorated after Sani accused the administration he inherited of leaving behind substantial financial obligations.

The governor had said the state inherited debts of $587 million, N85 billion and 115 contractual liabilities. According to him, the financial burden affected the government’s capacity to meet salary obligations and execute development projects.

Bashir has since become a vocal critic of the Sani administration on social media, with repeated accusations of poor governance.

Bello, on the other hand, had initially maintained a different position. He reportedly stayed away from Bashir’s public attacks on Sani and continued to express support for the governor, whom he described as a political mentor.

Bashir’s latest outburst has now placed the differing political positions of the two brothers at the centre of public attention, with his comments accusing Bello of prioritising political interests and only returning to the family after his relationship with Sani became strained.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has instituted a fresh N10 billion suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged restrictions on visits by members of his family while in detention.

The case was filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 13, 2026, through his lawyer, Ubong Akpan.

El-Rufai is asking the court to enforce what he considers his fundamental rights during his detention. He alleged that ICPC officials prevented his wife, Aichatou Asabe, and son, Abba El-Rufai, from gaining access to him.

The former governor also listed the ICPC chairman and the Attorney-General of the Federation as defendants in the suit.

According to the case, El-Rufai maintains that his constitutional rights remain applicable despite his detention. He alleged that preventing his family from visiting him, especially when they sought to bring food, medication and other essential items, amounted to unlawful treatment.

He further alleged that ICPC officials physically restrained and intimidated his wife and son during an incident on July 7.

El-Rufai asked the court to declare that “the respondents’ continued denial of family access without lawful authority is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.”

He also urged the court to compel the ICPC to provide him with “unhindered and reasonable access to members of his family and counsel throughout the period of his detention as earlier directed by the Federal High Court.”

The former governor claimed that the alleged restrictions had subjected him to “humiliation, emotional trauma, anxiety and psychological distress.”

He accused the commission of acting “arbitrarily, unlawfully and in a manner inconsistent with Sections 34, 37 and 46 of the Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”

In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, El-Rufai’s Principal Secretary, Mohammed Shaba, stated that the former governor was being detained at the ICPC office in Abuja.

Shaba said El-Rufai’s wife had been regularly providing him with “food, clothing, medication, and other personal necessities required for his comfort, health, and well-being while in custody.”

He also cited an earlier ruling by Justice R.M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna, which directed the ICPC to allow access to lawyers and personal doctors whenever necessary.

Shaba argued that the earlier order demonstrated that detainees should not be held incommunicado and that the ICPC remains subject to judicial oversight over the conditions of detention.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kaduna State Police Command has responded to allegations made by former Governor Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, who claimed that his former Commissioner, Malam Jafaru Sani, was abducted by a group of kidnappers he referred to as the “Uba Sani Group,” allegedly connected to the police.

The police dismissed the claim, emphasizing that there is no such group within the Nigerian Police Force.

According to the police, the Nigerian Police Force was established under the 1999 Constitution, with the primary responsibility of maintaining law and order.

They further urged the former governor to verify the truth of any allegations before making public statements.In a press release issued by the police spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, he stated:

“We have taken note of a statement made by the former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, on his X platform, where he accused his former Commissioner, Malam Jafaru Sani, of being abducted by a group of kidnappers known as the ‘Uba Sani Group,’ whom he claimed to be police officers.”El-Rufai also alleged that Jafaru Sani was detained in prison without any police report (FIR) or charges filed by the state Ministry of Justice.

“There is no such group of kidnappers within the Nigerian Police Force. The police is a lawful body established by the constitution to uphold law and order.”

The police further explained that they are authorized to arrest and investigate anyone accused of committing a crime under the provisions of the law.

They noted that any individual, company, or government body has the right to file a complaint with the police, and if a crime is committed, the matter will be taken to court for trial.

The police urged the public, especially those in positions of authority, to exercise caution and avoid making baseless accusations against security agencies.

They warned that such unfounded claims could create confusion and undermine the integrity of security institutions.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Ja’afar Ibrahim Sani, a former commissioner under the administration of ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has been arrested by security operatives in Kaduna State.

The arrest, which occurred in the wake of his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has raised eyebrows.

Sani, who served as Commissioner for Local Government, Education, and Environment, was reportedly detained on the orders of the state government.

While the full details of the arrest remain unclear, sources indicate that police officials were involved in the operation.

Notably, Sani was the individual nominated by El-Rufai to replace him as a Minister in 2023, but his nomination was blocked by the Senate following security reports from the State Security Service.

His political journey has been marred by controversies, including opposition from the current Governor of Kaduna, Uba Sani, who disagreed with El-Rufai’s choice for the position.

In a letter dated March 10, 2025, Sani announced his departure from the APC, citing his disillusionment with the party’s leadership, which he accused of drifting away from its founding progressive ideals.

By Sumayyah Auwal Usman

The Kaduna State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has welcomed the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, into its fold.

In a  statement issued by the interim SDP chairman in the state, Hon. Nasiru Maikano, stated that the ex-governor’s decision to join the party is a welcome development that will undoubtedly bolster the SDP’s influence not only within the state, but the country.

Hon Maikano said “as a highly respected and accomplished political leader, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai will bring his wealth of experience and expertise that will enrich our party. We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with El-Rufai and work together towards a shared vision for the development and growth of Kaduna State.”

El-Rufai’s resignation from the All Progressive Congress (APC) comes after months of speculation surrounding his political allegiances and dissatisfaction with the ruling APC.

His defection to the SDP is expected to shake up the political landscape, particularly in northern Nigeria and may likely trigger more defections out of the ruling APC. 

BySumayyah Auwal Usman

In a dramatic political development in Kaduna State, prominent loyalists of former Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufa’i have defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Key figures among the defectors, including founding members of the APC, former legislators, commissioners and appointees, formally announced their decision at the SDP national secretariat in Abuja.

Hon. Nasiru Maikano, who emerged as the interim chairman of the SDP in Kaduna State stated that “We have decided to leave the APC and join the SDP because we believe that the party aligns more closely with our vision for the future of Kaduna State.”

The recent defections of political figures from the APC to the SDP in Kaduna State have been interpreted by many political pundits as a reflection of the deteriorating relationship between Governor Uba Sani and former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Kaduna State High Court has once again refused to grant bail to the former Chief of Staff to the former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Alhaji Bashir Sa’idu.

The court has ordered that he be returned to custody after being charged with 10 counts of alleged corruption, embezzlement, and theft during the administration of Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

When the case was resumed before Justice Isa Aliyu on Tuesday, the 10 charges were read to the defendant, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Among the charges, Sa’idu is accused of selling $45 million of the Kaduna State government’s funds—equivalent to N18.45 billion—at a rate of N498 per dollar, which allegedly resulted in a loss of N3.96 billion to the state government.

According to the prosecution, the offense occurred in 2022 when Sa’idu was serving as the Commissioner for Finance in El-Rufai’s government.

The prosecutors further stated that Sa’idu is accused of embezzling N3.96 billion, which violates Section 18 of the 2022 Anti-Corruption Act.

The defendant’s lawyer, M.I. Abubakar, informed the court that there was a need for bail to be granted to his client, as he had already spent 21 days in custody since his arrest on January 2, 2025.

He also informed the court that a bail application had been filed on January 16, 2025, adding that granting bail would allow Sa’idu to properly prepare his defense against the charges.

However, the prosecution’s counsel, Professor Nasiru Aliyu, objected to the bail request, stating that the law allows the prosecution seven days to respond to the bail application.

After a 40-minute recess, Justice Isa Aliyu ruled that the prosecution should be given sufficient time as provided by the law to respond to the bail request.

The court has adjourned the case to January 23, 2025, for further consideration of the bail application.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The arrest of a former Kaduna Commissioner of Finance and Local Governments, Mohammed Bashir Sa’idu by the Police over alleged money laundering, criminal breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds has been confirmed.

A security source confirmed to The Nation a petition received by the Police accused Sa’idu of laundering N3.96 billion and misappropriating N244 million during his tenure in the Kaduna State government between 2015 and 2023.

The allegations include the sale of $45 million in state-owned foreign currency at an undervalued exchange rate of N410 per dollar instead of the parallel market rate of N498 per dollar, causing a loss of over N3.96 billion to the government.

The source said this transaction breaches Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.Sa’idu is also accused of failing to account for proceeds from the sale of government houses in Marafa Estate, Kaduna, amounting to approximately N244 million.

This constitutes a breach of trust under Section 300 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

Reports indicate the Kaduna Assembly previously investigated Sa’idu’s financial dealings and forwarded its findings to anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

As part of the investigation, Sa’idu’s international passport has been seized.Critics have attempted to frame the arrest as politically motivated, claiming it was orchestrated through Operation Fushin Kada, a unit established to combat banditry.

However, the police have dismissed these claims, emphasizing that the arrest is based on credible allegations of financial crimes.

Sa’idu, who served in various capacities in Kaduna State, including as Chief of Staff and Commissioner of Finance, remains in detention as investigations continue.