Bomba Dauda
The Kaduna State Muslim-Christian Network for Good Governance has expressed support for the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, over his recent comments on the administration of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The group, a political pressure organisation comprising Muslims and Christians, described attempts to condemn Musa’s remarks as “reckless” and driven by selective memory and ethno-religious sentiments.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Tahir Tanko; Secretary, Steven Kefas; and Publicity Secretary, Adamu Abdullahi, among others, the group said residents of Kaduna State were witnesses to what it described as the “divisive and arbitrary” policies of the El-Rufai administration between 2015 and 2023.
It accused the former governor’s administration of sacking thousands of traditional rulers and workers without due process, mishandling insecurity, demolishing markets and homes without adequate compensation, and subjecting both Christian and Muslim leaders who criticised government policies to arrests and detention.
The group also alleged that the former governor’s administration was responsible for actions that deepened religious and ethnic divisions in the state.
The Network said Musa’s comments during a Channels Television interview reflected the experiences of many residents of Kaduna State, arguing that his reference to “our people” should not be interpreted as referring exclusively to Southern Kaduna.
“When he said, ‘El-Rufai deliberately planned the killing of our people,’ he was referring to the entire Kaduna populace who died, in one way or another, as a result of El-Rufai’s terrible policies, actions, or incompetence in managing and securing a diverse society like Kaduna State,” the group said.
It challenged those disputing the Defence Minister’s assessment to provide facts rather than resort to ethnic or religious sentiments.
The group further described Musa’s intervention as an important contribution to the public conversation about the former governor’s eight-year administration, saying it had helped draw wider attention to what it described as the divisive nature of El-Rufai’s policies.
“We therefore condemn such misguided rhetoric and express our total support for General Musa and his comments during that Channels TV interview,” the statement said.
The Network also commended the Defence Minister for his work in the security sector and expressed confidence in his efforts to contribute to making Nigeria safer.
It called on citizens of Kaduna State to support the current administration in its efforts to promote unity, inclusiveness and fairness in governance.
