Minister of Defence Christopher Musa has accused former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai of deliberately planning the killing of people in Southern Kaduna and deepening ethnic and regional divisions in the state during his tenure.
Musa, a retired general, made the allegations during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, September 3, 2026, describing El-Rufai’s administration from 2015 to 2023 as “toxic.”
Key Highlights
- Christopher Musa accuses Nasir El-Rufai of deliberately planning killings in Southern Kaduna.
- Defence Minister describes El-Rufai’s tenure as “toxic.”
- Musa alleges that El-Rufai deepened ethnic and regional divisions in Kaduna.
- Minister says Southern Kaduna residents remain traumatised by years of violence.
- Musa credits Governor Uba Sani’s administration with reducing the intensity of attacks.
- El-Rufai has not publicly responded to Musa’s latest allegations.
- Musa calls for national unity and an end to divisive politics.
Musa Accuses El-Rufai of Divisive Governance
Musa alleged that El-Rufai deliberately divided Kaduna State along communal and regional lines, creating an environment in which people from different parts of the state found it difficult to live and operate freely in some areas.
The minister said the consequences of the former governor’s policies were particularly severe in Southern Kaduna, where prolonged communal violence resulted in deaths, displacement and destruction of property.
Referring to the killings, Musa said, “We can never be happy with somebody who has deliberately planned for the killing of our people.”
He also criticised what he described as El-Rufai’s willingness to publicly discuss controversial security policies, including payments to bandits, which the minister said were presented in some instances as achievements.
Musa Says Southern Kaduna Still Traumatised
According to Musa, residents of Southern Kaduna remain deeply affected by the violence experienced during the period.
He contrasted the situation with what he described as improvements under Governor Uba Sani, saying the intensity of violence has significantly declined.
Musa also accused the former administration of denying opportunities to certain groups and using measures such as demolitions against people involved in disputes with the government.
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Defence Minister Warns Against ‘Divide and Rule’ Politics
The Defence Minister further suggested that Nigeria could have become more divided if El-Rufai had attained greater national political influence.
Musa accused the former governor of favouring a “divide and rule” approach and praised President Bola Tinubu’s emphasis on national unity and development.
He urged Nigerians to reject political strategies that exploit ethnic or religious differences and instead support efforts aimed at strengthening national cohesion.
El-Rufai Yet to Respond
El-Rufai has not publicly responded to Musa’s latest specific allegations at the time of this report.
The former governor has previously defended his administration’s security policies as responses to the complex challenges of banditry and communal violence in Kaduna State.
Southern Kaduna experienced several cycles of communal violence during El-Rufai’s tenure, involving predominantly Christian farming communities and predominantly Muslim herding communities. The scale of casualties and the attribution of responsibility for specific incidents have remained subjects of dispute.
Musa’s latest comments have therefore reopened debate over the former administration’s handling of insecurity, the accountability of political leaders and the need for reconciliation among communities affected by years of violence.
The allegations made by the Defence Minister remain claims and have not been established as facts by a court or independent investigation.
