Babachir, others defend Musa as El-Rufai remarks generate controversy

Mixed reactions continue to follow the comments made by former Kaduna State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Nasir El-Rufai, as well as by the retired Nigerian Army General Christopher Musa, who accused El-Rufai of deepening divisions and insecurity in the state during his time as governor from 2015 to 2023. The remarks have sparked controversy, with Nigerians expressing diverse opinions on social media.

Teachers, writers, and social media commentators have each taken a different approach in their responses to Musa's allegations. Nura Bako Zango questioned the minister's assertions, arguing that historical issues such as the 2011 post-election violence and the 1992 Zangon Kataf crisis must be addressed before assigning blame to El-Rufai. Abdulmatin Muhammed Jibril demanded evidence from Musa to support his claims, questioning whether the general had taken any action to protect the people of Kaduna from El-Rufai's policies.

Others, such as Ibrahim Idris Muazzam and Sani Ahmed, defended El-Rufai, maintaining that the state's ethnic and religious divisions existed long before his administration. However, Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, defended Musa, stating that the experiences of Southern Kaduna residents under El-Rufai's administration cannot be ignored.

Lawal compared the situation to the way Jews view Adolf Hitler, emphasizing that the current administration under Governor Uba Sani is working to heal old wounds.

Kaduna State Governor's Senior Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Victor Mathew Bobai, urged Nigerians to focus on the substance of Musa's claims, rather than speculating about his political motives. Bobai emphasized that Musa's comments represented a democratic conversation rather than an official military directive.