ABUJA, Nigeria — The family of former Kaduna State governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai issued a seven-day ultimatum to Defence Minister Christopher Musa on Monday, September 7, 2026.
The family demanded evidence or a public withdrawal of Musa’s allegation that El-Rufai planned killings in Southern Kaduna.
The demand was contained in a statement posted on X and Instagram by Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the former governor’s eldest son, on behalf of the family.
The statement said Musa must substantiate the accusation or apologise and retract it publicly.
It warned that the family would pursue available legal remedies if he failed to comply within the stipulated period.
Press Release: Statement by the El-Rufai Family. The family of Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), former Governor of Kaduna State and Opposition Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has noted with serious concern… pic.twitter.com/NfuKnTK29b
— Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai (@B_ELRUFAI) September 7, 2026
Musa made the allegation during a September 3 appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He accused El-Rufai of worsening divisions and insecurity in Kaduna State while serving as governor from 2015 to 2023.
In a video excerpt published by Channels Television, Musa described conditions under the former governor as “toxic” and accused him of dividing Kaduna along regional lines.
Asked about the views of Southern Kaduna residents towards El-Rufai, Musa said: “If there is anything worse than unhappy. We can never be happy with somebody who has deliberately planned for the killing of our people.”
Musa also alleged that El-Rufai’s policies made it difficult for residents from southern Kaduna to live in the northern part of the state. He further accused the former governor of ordering the demolition of homes belonging to people with whom he had personal disagreements.
“We can never be happy with somebody (El-Rufai) who has deliberately planned the killing of our people.
“We know how it was when El-Rufai was there (as Kaduna governor); it was toxic. [Nasir] El-Rufai did a lot of terrible things in Kaduna State; he divided the state in two.… pic.twitter.com/ypZr6oUM9n
— Channels Television (@channelstv) September 4, 2026
The El-Rufai family rejected the accusation concerning the killings and said Musa had not presented evidence to support it.
While acknowledging his right to express personal views, the family said an allegation of that seriousness required credible proof.
It instructed Musa to “provide evidence in support of his allegation or issue a full public retraction and apology” within seven days.
The family also demanded that any withdrawal be made on the same television programme through which the accusation was broadcast.
El-Rufai previously served as minister of the Federal Capital Territory and as governor of Kaduna State. He is now an opposition leader in the African Democratic Congress.
