By Abubakar Yunusa
The Northwest Democracy Monitoring Group (NDMG) has urged former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to refrain from interfering in security matters.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Abubakar Sani, the group accused El-Rufai of attempting to shift blame for the Northwest’s worsening security crisis onto President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Mr El-Rufai must confront his vulnerabilities and insecurities, which seem to have intensified since leaving office.
“We urge him to stop meddling in security, an area where he showed little foresight or accountability as governor,Sani said .
The group said insecurity in the region worsened under El-Rufai’s watch during the Buhari administration. It cited his refusal to allow security summits in Kaduna as evidence of negligence.
El-Rufai recently criticised the Federal Government’s approach to banditry, describing it as a “kiss-the-bandits policy.”
But NDMG dismissed the remarks as “divisive rhetoric” that misrepresents ongoing efforts to combat violence.
The group pointed to federal security operations that have freed over 11,000 hostages and neutralised several bandit leaders as proof of progress.
By contrast, it noted that 1,192 deaths and more than 3,348 kidnappings were recorded in Kaduna during El-Rufai’s tenure.
“His sensational claims are not only misleading but risk undermining collective efforts to restore peace,” the group said.
NDMG called on the former governor to reflect on his record and take responsibility.
“It is time for him to acknowledge his role in shaping the current security landscape.
“Rather than distorting the truth, he should contribute constructively to solutions that will bring stability to the Northwest,”Sani said.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
