ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has accused Nasir El-Rufai of discriminating against Christians during his eight years as governor of Kaduna State.
Fani-Kayode made the allegations in a video circulating online on Monday, August 24, 2026, while discussing Kaduna politics and the administration of Governor Uba Sani.
The claims have not been independently verified.
El-Rufai’s response was not included in the material accompanying the video.
Fani-Kayode alleged that Christian communities, particularly those in Southern Kaduna, experienced killings, neglect and discrimination during El-Rufai’s administration.
He also claimed that some Christian leaders were insulted because of their faith and that communities with predominantly Christian populations were denied development opportunities.
Fani-Kayode said he and other Christians opposed the policies he attributed to El-Rufai but chose prayer and peaceful resistance over violence.
Fani-Kayode Praises Uba Sani
Fani-Kayode contrasted El-Rufai’s record with that of Sani, who served as a political associate and aide to the former governor before succeeding him.
“Uba is a fair-minded person. When it comes to issues of faith, I can say it anywhere, anytime, any day, that he has no discriminatory tendencies at all,” Fani-Kayode said.
He claimed that Sani had told him about incidents during cabinet meetings in which Christian officials were allegedly insulted because of their religion.
According to Fani-Kayode, Sani assured him that the treatment of Christians would change under his administration.
Fani-Kayode also alleged that the governor later became aware of plans that could have harmed both Christian and Muslim communities in Kaduna.
He did not provide evidence supporting that assertion in the remarks reviewed.
The former minister said he believed Sani’s emergence as governor had reduced El-Rufai’s political influence in the state.
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna from 2015 to 2023, has faced criticism from religious organisations, political opponents and community leaders over his handling of security and religious tensions.
His supporters have defended his administration’s record.
Fani-Kayode said the change in Kaduna demonstrated that political disputes could be addressed without violence.
He urged Nigerians to continue using peaceful means to resolve political and religious disagreements.
