By Our Correspondent
A Kaduna-based civic group, the Kaduna Leadership & Accountability Assembly (KLAA), has urged Nigerians to reject the 2027 political ambition of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that his years in office were marked by “violence, intolerance, corruption, and anti-people policies.”
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Hadiza Mohammed Umar, KLAA outlined what it described as “22 sins of El-Rufai that Kaduna people and Nigerians at large will not forget in a hurry.”
The group said El-Rufai’s administration left Kaduna “scarred by intimidation, hardship, financial mismanagement, and religious bigotry,” adding that his politics was never about service but “fear and control.”
KLAA accused the former governor of repressive measures against religious groups, including banning Maulid celebrations, harassing Islamic scholars, and introducing a controversial preaching law that forced clerics to obtain licenses before delivering sermons.
It also alleged that El-Rufai bore direct responsibility for the violent clash with the Shi’ite movement, which reportedly left nearly 300 people dead, while worsening the plight of Southern Kaduna communities through mass lockdowns and alleged negotiations with bandits.
On finances, the group cited a Kaduna State House of Assembly report indicting his administration for the alleged misappropriation of over ₦423 billion, recommending that he be investigated for fraud and money laundering.
KLAA further pointed to what it called anti-labour policies, including the mass sackings of teachers and civil servants, demolition of markets without compensation, and the imposition of high school fees on parents.
The group also reminded Nigerians of El-Rufai’s controversial remark before the 2019 elections, when he threatened that foreign observers who interfered would “go back in body bags.” It said the statement brought international disgrace and visa restrictions upon him.
According to KLAA, El-Rufai’s divisive rhetoric also included claims that “Christians funded Boko Haram,” while his government failed to prevent repeated massacres in Southern Kaduna, such as the April 2023 Runji attack in which more than 33 people were killed.
Quoting from its statement, the group said:
“We, the Kaduna Leadership & Accountability Assembly (KLAA), wish to remind Nigerians that the so-called 2027 political shenanigans of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai must be viewed through the lens of his true record in office. El-Rufai left Kaduna with scars of intimidation, hardship, financial mismanagement, and religious bigotry. His politics was never about service — it was about fear and control.”
KLAA catalogued the 22 issues it said defined his years in power, including:
- Clashes with religious groups and banning of Maulid celebrations.
- Violent confrontation with the Shi’ite movement that left nearly 300 dead.
- Mass sackings of workers and teachers.
- Demolitions of markets and relocation threats to traders without compensation.
- Sharp increases in school fees beyond the capacity of parents.
- Intimidation of university lecturers and transport workers.
- Establishment of a controversial Preaching Regulatory Council.
- Lockdowns in Southern Kaduna communities resulting in deaths.
- Threatening election observers with “body bags.”
- Divisive religious rhetoric and failure to protect vulnerable citizens during massacres.
- Misappropriation of over ₦423 billion as cited by the State Assembly report.
KLAA concluded that Nigeria must not forget these records, warning that El-Rufai’s ambition for 2027 was “to return the people to an era of fear and intimidation.”
“Our stand is clear: Kaduna, or even Nigeria, cannot afford to forget or ignore these 22 sins. El-Rufai’s politics is toxic to peace, unity, and democracy. Nigerians across party lines must reject any attempt to repackage him for political manipulation in 2027,” the group stated.
