Isaac Samuel
The family of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has given the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), seven days to retract his allegation that the former governor deliberately planned the killing of people in Southern Kaduna or provide evidence to substantiate the claim.
The family, through its lawyer, Chambers of Ubong Akpab, issued the ultimatum in a pre-action notice dated September 7, 2026, following Musa’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on September 3.
During the programme, Musa, who hails from Southern Kaduna, rejected the description of residents of the area as merely being “unhappy” with El-Rufai, saying their experience under the former governor went beyond dissatisfaction.
“We can never be happy with somebody who deliberately planned for the killing of our people,” Musa said.
When the presenter drew his attention to the seriousness of the allegation, the minister responded: “Definitely,” before referring to what he described as El-Rufai’s previous statements concerning payments to bandits.
The family, however, described the allegation as grave and defamatory, insisting that Musa must either prove the claim or withdraw it publicly.
In the letter addressed to the Defence Minister at the Federal Ministry of Defence, Abuja, the family demanded that Musa provide evidence supporting his assertion within seven days.
Alternatively, it demanded a full public retraction and apology through the same medium on which the allegation was made.
In a statement subsequently signed by
Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the family said the notice constituted a formal letter of claim, although it was not an exhaustive statement of its case.
It also demanded the preservation of evidence relating to Musa’s statements, including any documents, recordings or other materials that the minister might rely upon to substantiate the allegation.
The family warned that failure to comply with its demands within the stipulated period would leave it with no option but to pursue all appropriate legal remedies.
Southern Kaduna controversy
The dispute is coming against the backdrop of years of deadly violence in Southern Kaduna, with attacks involving communities, farmers and herders resulting in deaths, displacement and destruction of property.
El-Rufai governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, during which his administration faced repeated criticism over its handling of communal violence and insecurity.
One of the most controversial episodes occurred in 2016 when El-Rufai disclosed that his administration had traced some aggrieved Fulani to their countries and paid some of them to stop attacks on Southern Kaduna communities.
The former governor said the decision followed investigations into the roots of the violence and that some of those involved were from neighbouring African countries.
The disclosure triggered controversy, with Southern Kaduna groups demanding details of the alleged payments, including the beneficiaries, amounts involved and legal basis for the expenditure.
El-Rufai subsequently adopted a tougher position against negotiations with violent groups. In 2020, he accused some Southern Kaduna leaders of allegedly organising killings and seeking government payments, insisting that his administration would not appease criminals.
The latest confrontation also comes amid heightened political tensions surrounding the former governor, who is now associated with the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).
El-Rufai has faced investigations by anti-corruption and security agencies, while the Kaduna State House of Assembly has also called for investigations into allegations arising from his administration.
His political allies have accused the Federal Government of using the investigations against him to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections, an allegation the government has rejected.
