{
  "id": 6151197,
  "title": "El-Rufai’s record must face scrutiny – Northern elders tell critics of Min of Defence, Musa",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/el-rufais-record-must-face-scrutiny-northern-elders-tell-critics-of",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T17:36:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/07/el-rufais-record-must-face-scrutiny-northern-elders-tell-critics-of-min-of-defence-musa/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Coalition of Northern Elders has lent its support to Defence Minister Christopher Musa amid controversy surrounding his remarks concerning the former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. In a joint statement, the elders representing the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions urged public scrutiny of El-Rufai's past record. The Northern Elders for Peace and Development coalition criticized those attacking Musa, urging them to address the issues he raised rather than targeting the minister personally. The elders pointed out that El-Rufai's eight-year administration was plagued by governance, community relations, and public policy controversies. They rejected the notion that the dispute should be considered a regional issue, emphasizing that northern leaders should not defend former officials based solely on shared geographical roots. The coalition warned against protecting individuals at the expense of the truth and called for loyalty to the people, good governance, and regional peace. They rejected attempts to dismiss El-Rufai's accountability simply because he had left office. The elders emphasized that once a person steps down from public service, their record becomes part of the public history, and Nigerians have a right to examine it. They urged Nigerians to judge the controversy based on evidence rather than political allegiance. The statement concluded by emphasizing that Musa has spoken, and Nigerians should now focus on evaluating the content of his remarks and the facts at hand.",
  "summary": "The Coalition of Northern Elders has thrown its weight behind the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, over his recent controversial comments about the former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, saying the ex-governor’s record should be open to public scrutiny. In a statement jointly signed by the representatives from the North-East, North-West and North-Central, Zana Goni, […] El-Rufai’s…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Apologise or face court action – El-Rufai issues warning to Defence Minister Musa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/apologise-or-face-court-action-el-rufai-issues-warning-to-defence",
        "published": "2026-09-07T15:14:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Trust",
        "title": "El-Rufai’s family gives Defence Minister 7 days to retract comment on violence",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/el-rufais-family-gives-defence-minister-7-days-to-retract-comment-on",
        "published": "2026-09-07T15:20:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "El-Rufai threatens N10bn suit against defence minister for defamation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/el-rufai-threatens-n10bn-suit-against-defence-minister-for-defamation",
        "published": "2026-09-07T17:44:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "El-Rufai demands ₦10bn, apology from defence minister over Southern Kaduna allegation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/el-rufai-demands-10bn-apology-from-defence-minister-over-southern",
        "published": "2026-09-07T18:19:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}