The Democratic Front (TDF) has leveled serious accusations against the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, alleging that he is spreading false information to incite national tension and distract from a multi-billion naira corruption investigation.
Allegations of Misinformation
In a statement co-signed by Chairman Mallam Danjuma Muhammad and Secretary Chief Wale Adedayo, the TDF labeled el-Rufai’s recent claims regarding the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as “rascally, uncouth, and irresponsible.”
The group specifically addressed el-Rufai’s allegation that the ONSA imported Thallium Sulphate, a highly toxic compound. The TDF dismissed these claims as baseless and politically motivated, noting that the former governor failed to provide any documentary evidence to support such a weighty charge.
Breach of National Security
The TDF expressed particular alarm over el-Rufai’s public admission regarding the surveillance of high-ranking officials.
”It is even more disheartening that he publicly admitted to being privy to the illegal and criminal tapping of the telephone number of the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu… This, in our view, is a criminal breach of national security.”
The group further criticized the former governor for failing to follow official protocol, noting that he went public with his allegations before receiving a formal response to the letter he sent to the NSA.
Links to Kaduna State Financial Probe
According to the TDF, the timing of these allegations is a “calculated ploy” to undermine the ongoing Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigation into el-Rufai’s tenure.
In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly submitted a report alleging that N432 billion was diverted and misappropriated between 2015 and 2023. The TDF maintains that the controversy surrounding Thallium Sulphate is a smokescreen intended to frame the EFCC’s investigation as “political persecution” rather than a legitimate legal inquiry.
Call for Rule of Law
While noting that the Federal Government has already initiated legal proceedings against the former governor, the TDF urged authorities to ensure that the law takes its course without delay. The group concluded that such conduct is unbecoming of a former Federal Minister and two-term governor, emphasizing that no individual should be allowed to undermine national stability for personal political gain.
