“It’s Irresponsible To Blame El-Rufai For Southern Kaduna Killings…That Started Before He Became Governor” — Dr. Uche Diala Slams Defense Minister Musa

Public affairs analyst and political commentator, Dr. Uche Diala, has faulted the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), over his recent comments on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme where he blamed former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, for the killings in Southern Kaduna.

Musa had during the September 3 interview alleged that El-Rufai “deliberately planned for the killing of our people” and claimed he paid bandits and used bulldozers to demolish houses.

Reacting to the minister’s utterances on Trust TV Daily politics, Dr. Diala described the attempt to scapegoat El-Rufai for Kaduna’s long-standing security woes as irresponsible, tragic and politically motivated.

“It’s irresponsible to blame Nasir El-Rufai for the insecurity in Kaduna State or Southern Kaduna. Insecurity in Kaduna State and Southern Kaduna, as attested to by many records, predated El-Rufai as Governor. All parts of Kaduna State were victims, and as well, villains in varying degrees. Verifiable records show that El-Rufai did his level best to contain it sustainably,” Diala said.

He dismissed claims that the former governor singled out Christians or Southern Kaduna for persecution.

“The claim that El-Rufai singled out Christians or Southern Kaduna Christians for persecution is simply untrue — it is a narrative pushed for specific interests. El-Rufai took courageous actions and deployed policies that affected Christians and Muslims alike, and all parts of Kaduna State. The positive results are evident for all to see, from infrastructure to institutional reforms and public safety measures.”

Diala warned that political opportunists were inserting themselves into the delicate mosaic of Kaduna State by deploying religion and divisive narratives for political gain.

“It is therefore tragic that political opportunists and unstable characters elect to insert themselves into the delicate mosaic of Kaduna State and Southern Kaduna, deploying religion and divisive narratives for political gain. El-Rufai is no longer Governor of Kaduna State and his records are there for posterity to judge.”

He called on those playing politics with the peace of Kaduna to desist.

“Those playing politics with the security and peace of Kaduna State need to desist. Security challenges require collective effort, structural solutions, and sincere leadership — not political mudslinging or revisionist history aimed at scapegoating past leaders who worked tirelessly to address complex security dynamics.”

According to Diala, history will eventually vindicate the former governor.

“In the fullness of time, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai will be vindicated by history and by those who truly understand the socio-political terrain of the region. Anyone bearing fabricated tales against him is simply wasting their time because his achievements and policies remain documented for all objective observers to verify.”