Human rights advocate Mahdi Shehu has called out former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai for his perceived hypocrisy regarding comments on the country’s security measures. In a response to El-Rufai’s recent interview on Channels Television, Shehu pointed out the irony in El-Rufai’s criticism of Governor Uba Sani and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu for allegedly making payments to bandits, given that El-Rufai himself acknowledged taking similar actions in the past. Shehu referenced a Vanguard article from December 3, 2016, which reported that during his tenure, El-Rufai’s administration had tried to track armed herders in neighboring countries and offered them compensation to stop attacks in Kaduna. “We implemented measures by sending teams to locate these individuals in countries like Cameroon and Niger, letting them know that a new Fulani governor was willing to compensate for lost lives, and asking them to cease the violence,” Mahdi cited El-Rufai. According to Shehu, El-Rufai can no longer act as if he opposes what he previously defended and executed. He questioned, “Is this not the same El-Rufai who once acknowledged paying armed groups compensation and gifts, yet now criticizes others for using financial incentives in security management simply because he is no longer in power?” “Has El-Rufai forgotten that during the period from 2015 to 2023, when Buhari was in power and he played a significant role, insecurity and excessive spending on security were prevalent?” Has he overlooked the fact that during the time of his previous supervisor, insecurity was at an all-time high, even with the expenditure of trillions aimed at combating insurgency? Mahdi also pointed out that El-Rufai’s recent interview on Channels Television exemplifies how former leaders can adopt different attitudes after leaving their positions. He noted that El-Rufai’s conversation with Seun was characterized by feelings of anger, resentment, and harsh criticism. El-Rufai’s comments throughout the entire interview displayed a tone of anger, bitterness, and vengefulness, highlighting significant errors in his judgment. It seems that Nasiru’s deeply rooted emotional wounds won’t be healed by time. “If Nuhu Ribadu and Governor Uba Sani have committed the actions El-Rufai claims, then El-Rufai himself is even more culpable, considering his over two decades in positions of authority.” “We ought to hold off until Uba Sani finishes his term before we compare his performance to El-Rufai’s to determine who the true antagonist is.” He finished by reminding El-Rufai of the biblical warning: “Whoever is without sin should throw the first stone.”
