The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has accused Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, of presiding over a period of massive killings and decimation of Christian-dominated areas in Southern Kaduna during his eight-year tenure. The forum claims that the former governor displayed indifference towards genocidal attacks on communities in the south, resulting in the destruction of numerous towns and villages and the death of tens of thousands of people. Additionally, El-Rufai is accused of employing religious division to suppress indigenous groups by denying them political appointments.
In response to El-Rufai’s recent address to Islamic clerics, in which he discussed his role in promoting a same-faith ticket in Kaduna State during the 2019 elections, Dr. Isuwa Dogo, the National Publicity Secretary of the MBF, expressed condemnation. Dogo argued that El-Rufai conveniently failed to mention the fact that his administration had transformed Kaduna State into the epicenter of kidnappings and brutalities, leading to the loss of many lives and the decimation of over 100 communities.
The MBF expressed outrage at what it perceives as El-Rufai’s attempt to sow religious tension and promote bigotry. The forum characterized the former governor as a divisive leader, notorious for instigating chaos and espousing extremist religious views, and called on both Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to exercise caution in their dealings with him.
In its statement, the MBF denounced El-Rufai’s comments as an act of national hypocrisy, accusing him of deliberately provoking tension between adherents of different religions. The forum urged the Nigerian public to reject El-Rufai, labeling him a national threat whose access to power must be restricted.
This recent accusation by the MBF adds to the ongoing debate surrounding El-Rufai’s tenure as governor of Kaduna State and raises further questions regarding his suitability for future roles in national leadership.
