A major political storm is brewing in Kaduna State as the state government, led by Governor Uba Sani, has issued a one-week ultimatum to his predecessor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to provide concrete proof for his claim that the current administration paid ₦1 billion to bandits, or face legal action.
The state government, through the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shu’aibu (SAN), strongly dismissed El-Rufai’s allegation as “false, reckless, baseless, and politically motivated.”
The Allegation and the State’s Reaction
The Claim: Former Governor El-Rufai recently alleged during a television interview that the Governor Uba Sani-led administration had paid ₦1 billion to criminal elements as part of security engagement and was “negotiating with and apologizing” to them. El-Rufai claimed he had “evidence and proof” of the payment.
The Denial: In a strongly worded statement on Sunday, the state government unequivocally denied the claim, reiterating that Governor Sani has “never authorised, negotiated, or paid any money” to criminal groups.
Commissioner Shu’aibu stated that the Governor has repeatedly maintained the position that “Not one naira. Not one kobo” has been paid.
The Ultimatum: The government has demanded that El-Rufai publicly retract his statement and issue an unreserved apology within one week.
Failure to do so, the statement warned, would compel the state to initiate legal proceedings to “safeguard public order and institutional integrity.”
Broader Context and Reactions
The Commissioner criticized El-Rufai for “recklessly weaponizing a sensitive security issue for political grandstanding,” stating that such conduct falls below the standard expected of a former state leader.
ONSA’s Position: The state government also referenced the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), noting that ONSA had previously dismissed similar claims by El-Rufai as “unfounded and inconsistent with Nigeria’s national security practices,” affirming that neither the Federal nor State Governments engage in ransom payments.
Former Senator’s View: Former Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central, also weighed in, disputing El-Rufai’s claims and accusing the former governor of having promoted a “culture of appeasement to terrorists” during his own tenure.
The controversy highlights the tense political environment and the critical security challenges facing Kaduna State, with the current administration defending its community-centred approach that combines military operations with non-kinetic measures.
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