The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has put forward claims suggesting the involvement of external and religious forces in the ongoing detention of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State.
In an official statement released by its Secretary-General, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, the council clarified that it had deliberately maintained a distance from the controversy surrounding El-Rufai. However, recent developments have compelled the NSCIA to issue this statement.
Accusations Leveled Against Former Governor El-Rufai
It is recalled that General Christopher Musa (rtd.), the Minister of Defence, had, during an interview, accused El-Rufai of orchestrating killings in Southern Kaduna. General Musa alleged that the former governor's actions between 2015 and 2023, during his administration, exacerbated divisions and contributed significantly to the state's insecurity.
He further characterised the conditions in Kaduna State under El-Rufai's leadership as "toxic," asserting that residents of Southern Kaduna harboured deep resentment towards the former governor due to the fatalities recorded in the region during his term.
El-Rufai Family Responds to Allegations
In response, the former governor's family issued a statement through his eldest son, Honourable Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, refuting the accusations and demanding a retraction. The family expressed profound concern regarding the comments made by the Defence Minister and issued a seven-day ultimatum. This ultimatum required General Musa to either provide substantiating evidence for all his allegations or publicly retract his claims.
NSCIA Changes Stance, Cites Religious Bias
The NSCIA indicated that these developments prompted a shift in its position, moving away from its previous decision to refrain from commenting on the controversy surrounding El-Rufai’s detention. The Council had initially viewed the prosecution as a standard judicial process, trusting in the Judiciary's capacity to uphold justice.
The statement from the council articulated:
“However, recent developments in the public domain have raised serious concerns that strongly suggest an extraneous involvement of an underlying religious bias against the former Governor.”
Consequently, the Council has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Judiciary to ensure that individuals with vested religious interests are rigorously prevented from manipulating public institutions or the legal framework to pursue a sectarian agenda against El-Rufai.
Furthermore, the council appealed to the general public to refrain from making inflammatory comments that could prejudice El-Rufai's fair trial or worsen the security situation within the nation.
The statement concluded with a prayer:
“May Almighty Allah grant peace, stability, and security to Nigeria.”