From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
A Coalition of Gbagyi nationality in Kaduna State have lambasted former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, over what they described as his unwarranted attacks on President Bola Tinubu.
At a press conference in Kaduna, leader of the Coalition, Benjamin George, alleged that the former governor’s criticisms of Tinubu stemmed from personal disappointment and not national interest.
“We discovered that since he lost ministerial appointment in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, he has remained inconsolable, unleashing verbal attacks on his administration.
“This was someone who destroyed our houses without any regard for the emotional or economic plight of the affected persons. He marginalised our people, sidelined us in governance and denied us access to appointments and developmental projects.”
George further accused the former governor of ordering the demolition of market stalls, failing to address the issue of banditry and violating the rights of innocent citizens including journalists.
He warned that El-Rufai’s recent moves to mobilise a political coalition to unseat President Tinubu in 2027 under the guise of public interest was nothing but a personal vendetta.He pledged their full support for President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, insisting that both leaders were tackling the problems inherited from previous administrations.
“To this end, we have decided not to keep quiet and to tell the world categorically that the Gbagyi nation and the Middle Belt will never be part of any coalition orchestrated by Mal. Nasir El-Rufai and his cohorts against President Tinubu.” The coalition, comprising Gbagyi stakeholders from across the state, also accused El-Rufai of running an autocratic administration during his eight-year tenure as governor, adding that he marginalised Southern Kaduna communities, especially the Gbagyi people and Christian community.
George urged well-meaning Nigerians to disregard what he described as “El-Rufai’s utopian postulations and selfish machinations” while expressing optimism that Tinubu’s government will succeed.