Kaduna State Government, on Monday, accused the immediate past governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai, of plotting to destabilise the state through provocation, manipulation and incitement.
The government however warned that it would not tolerate attempts to drag the state back into violence.
State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Suleiman Shuaibu, said in a statement on Monday that El-Rufai’s recent actions were tantamount to a direct threat to peace and development.
Shu’aibu said the former governor intensified his activities after his political allies were defeated in the August 16 by-elections.
The statement read, “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.”
The Kaduna State Government alleged that on August 30, El-Rufai convened “an illegal and chaotic meeting” of his political associates which degenerated into violence and firing of gunshots that endangered innocent citizens.
The statement added, “El-Rufai attempted to shift blame by falsely accusing the government of sponsoring thugs to disrupt the meeting.
“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 also condemned El-Rufai’s comments on a television programme, where he accused Federal and state governments of “bribing bandits” to achieve peace.
“These are not mere words: they are calculated, malicious lies designed to undermine security efforts, incite public anger, and legitimise criminality,” Shuaibu said.
The commissioner said that the Office of the National Security Adviser had already dismissed the allegations, insisting that neither the Federal Government nor any agency under it had ever paid 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 stated that security gains made under Governor Uba Sani’s administration were visible in previously troubled areas such as Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Kajuru, Kauru, Kachia and Igabi.
He said notorious bandit leaders, including Boderi, Baleri and Sani Yellow, had been eliminated, while members of Ansaru had been arrested.
“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.
The government contrasted El-Rufai’s eight-year tenure, which it described as marked by “division and intimidation,” with Sani’s nearly two years in office, which it said focused on inclusion, dialogue and development.
The statement listed achievements in education, healthcare and infrastructure, claiming that Kaduna now ranks seventh 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, therefore, warned El-Rufai to desist from acts that could threaten stability, stressing that security agencies had been placed 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.”
Recall that El-Rufai, while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Sunday, had accused the Federal Government of adopting a “kiss-the-bandits” approach, alleging a national policy of negotiating with and compensating armed groups rather than confronting them militarily.
The former governor also cited intelligence and media reports to back his claims.
El-Rufai said, “Just last week, SBM published a report that showed that the security situation in Kaduna and Zamfara has actually deteriorated under this government’s watch.
“A week earlier or two weeks earlier, Sahara Reporters published another credible report that actually, insecurity has been increasing.
“What the government has been doing both at the national and state levels is buying the media from reporting it.”
