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…Replies El-Rufai’s statement against Southern Kaduna
From Sola Ojo, Abuja
In this interview, chairman of the Kaduna State Chapter of the Middle Belt Forum, Air Commodore John Bako (Rtd), says former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has lost political value in the state, hence, any political party or individuals pitching their rent with him may fail in coming elections, even as he hinted that the Middle Belt may rally behind President Bola Tinubu in 2027 because of unprecedented federal projects and institutions sited in Southern Kaduna under the current administration despite the fact that the region did not vote for him in the 2023 election that brought him to power.
You earlier warned politicians not to align with former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. Can you explain further?
Yes. Because of his past actions and the security risk he represents, people must stay away from him. He has done more harm than good to Nigerians, particularly in Kaduna State where he ruled for eight years. During his tenure, we witnessed terror, destruction of properties, businesses, and residential areas. Even government structures in the ministries were destroyed. Today, the civil service in Kaduna State is just a shadow of itself.
You also said El-Rufai should not be allowed to move around making reckless statements. What do you mean?
By every standard, with the security reports on him, he should not be walking the streets freely. Any right-thinking government would have picked him up because he is not above the law. But perhaps people are afraid of him. He has done great damage. Someone who allegedly paid bandits and encouraged their presence now claims government is paying bandits, it is insincerity and dishonesty of the highest order.
Some argue that this issue should be confined to Kaduna State. Why extend it to the Middle Belt and national politics?
Because he has finished serving as governor of Kaduna State and was seeking a higher position at the federal level. He was even nominated for screening but failed the security test, which is why he could not secure a ministerial appointment. If he had gotten the job, he wouldn’t be making the comments he makes today. His ego was bruised, and now he is acting out of bitterness. Like a bull in a China shop, lashing out recklessly. So, you have to drag it out with wisdom so it does not destroy other goods. That is why he is dangerous, and why Nigeria must be cautious.
Why do you think the government has not acted against him?
Maybe they are giving him time, watching how he behaves. Perhaps when his actions go too far, they will know what to do. But I am confident that at the right time, the authorities will act.
What is your advice to politicians and political parties as far as he’s concerned ahead of 2027?
Anyone who wants to win should keep him far away. He has no political value in Kaduna State or elsewhere anymore. If he cannot win votes in his own State, aligning with him is signing your own political death warrant. In Kaduna State, he has no value anymore. There is nowhere he can go and win a vote. If he cannot get votes in his own state, where else can he get them from? It is impossible.
When he worked for Tinubu in 2023, he was the one who introduced the Muslim-Muslim ticket, and they accepted it. Now he is denying it. But we know the truth. He did it in Kaduna, saying Christians were not up to 25perecent. He used that to justify introducing it at the federal level, which sidelined Southern Kaduna. He proudly said it worked in Kaduna and could work at the federal level, and it did. But now he is backtracking, claiming it was just politics. That is dishonesty. Is that the kind of person you want to rely on?
Some Middle Belt voices especially from Southern Kaduna are saying Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim administration should be supported because of federal projects they have seen in recent times. Do you agree with them?
Look, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ruled for 16 years and gave us nothing in Southern Kaduna. All we have been getting is political appointments at the best which benefit just a few. But under Tinubu, who we didn’t even vote for, we now have a Nigerian Army Brigade, a Federal University of Applied Science, and a Federal Medical Centre, all in just two years. Isn’t that God’s hand at work?
Are you suggesting that Southern Kaduna should prioritise projects over appointments for selves?
Exactly. God gave us General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff, something nobody thought is possible. We must shift focus from selfish appointments to tangible projects and security gains for the people. It’s like a father who refuses to feed you for 16 years. Then someone who isn’t your father starts feeding you well, giving you everything you ask for. What would you do? You will hold on to the one who is feeding you.
So, what’s your message to Middle Belt people as 2027 approaches?
Politics should not be about religion. We should not tie ourselves to a party that does not help us. If another party comes and brings progress, we should support it. As it is now, if there is no better option, Tinubu’s government is the only option.
But let’s wait and see. The coalition of political actors for 2027 is still forming. When the principal actors come out, people will know where to pitch their tents. But one thing is clear: wherever El-Rufai pitches his tent is already a collapsed tent.
Unity is the key. We must work together to defend our land, heritage, and people. We cannot lose our land to foreigners. Whether Muslim or Christian, if you are from the Middle Belt, you must defend it.
Invest in more equipment and intelligence. Terrorism is being fuelled by foreigners who want our land. Mr. President must wake up before these elements make his government ungovernable.
And let’s be clear, who are the terrorists? It’s the same people, mostly herders. They want our land because of its richness, but it’s not possible. Our land is God-given, our heritage, and our people. We cannot afford to lose it.
So, while government plays it role, we must first see ourselves as Middle Belters before identifying as Muslim or Christian. This is our home, and we cannot allow foreigners to take it. Look at Northern Nigeria now, you can see what is happening between the Hausa and the Fulani. And, that is because when the criminality started, they painted it with religious coloration rather than collectively call it what it is – crime. We must learn from that.
