Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, has defended Minister of Defence Christopher Gwabin Musa over his recent comments concerning former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Lawal, in a statement shared on his Facebook page, criticised what he described as “fatuous articles” attacking the Defence Minister, particularly on platforms associated with the Arewa Consultative Forum and other groups predominantly populated by Northerners.
The former SGF said supporters of El-Rufai had the right to defend the former governor, but argued that such positions could not erase the experiences of people in Southern Kaduna during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor.
“Whatever Nasiru’s defenders might say in his defence, I concede their right to do so,” Lawal wrote, attributing their support partly to ethnic, religious and regional affiliations.
He, however, said the perception of El-Rufai among Southern Kaduna communities was fundamentally different from that of his supporters.
“To them, and by extension us (all Northern ethnic nationalities and Christians), Nasiru El-Rufai was what Adolf Hitler was to the Jews; no more, no less,” Lawal stated.
Lawal said the comparison reflected what he described as the reality experienced by Southern Kaduna people under El-Rufai’s administration.
He also praised the incumbent Kaduna State governor, whom he said was addressing the grievances of the people despite being a Fulani and Muslim, describing him as a “merciful type.”
The former SGF further rejected what he portrayed as attempts by El-Rufai’s supporters to target the Defence Minister, describing Musa as “one of the best of ours” and a “brilliant patriot” and highly regarded military officer.
“We will resist any attempt by Nasiru’s compatriots to lynch one of the best of ours in the person of Gen Musa,” Lawal said, adding that the Defence Minister had served his military tenure with distinction.
Lawal also challenged those defending El-Rufai to turn their attention to controversies and allegations involving some traditional rulers, religious leaders, federal ministers and senators from the North.
He alleged that some individuals from the region were being accused of collaborating with bandits and kidnappers responsible for insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria, and urged El-Rufai’s defenders to address such issues.
The former SGF also raised concerns about the large population of out-of-school children in northern Nigeria, warning that vulnerable children could become targets for recruitment by insurgent and bandit groups.
“They should focus [on] the millions of their out-of-school children roaming the streets with pans in their hands and who are easy pool for recruitment into insurgency and banditry groups,” he said.
Lawal concluded by urging El-Rufai’s defenders not to involve Musa in what he described as “predicaments of their own making.”
His comments come amid continuing political and public debate over El-Rufai’s record as Kaduna governor and the Defence Minister’s remarks about the former governor.
