Nigeria: El-Rufai's Family Gives Defence Minister 7 Days to Retract Comment On Violence

What the report says

Former Kaduna State governor and ex-FCT minister Nasir El-Rufai’s family has demanded that Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, either substantiate or withdraw a public allegation tied to violence in Southern Kaduna. The dispute follows Musa’s comments on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he said El-Rufai had contributed to division and insecurity in Kaduna State during his time in office.

According to the family’s statement, signed by El-Rufai’s eldest son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the remarks were made on September 3, 2026, without evidence being presented to back the claim that El-Rufai “planned killings” in Southern Kaduna. The family said the allegation was serious and asked for a retraction and apology through the same media outlet where the comments were aired.

The statement gave Musa seven days to provide proof or publicly retract the accusation. It also warned that legal action could follow if no evidence is offered. El-Rufai, who is now identified in the report as an opposition figure in the African Democratic Congress, has previously governed Kaduna State and served as FCT minister.

The case matters because it touches on long-running tensions over violence and insecurity in Kaduna State, especially in Southern Kaduna, and highlights how political disputes over responsibility for past unrest remain active in Nigeria's public debate.