Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has launched a fresh criticism of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, accusing his administration of deepening divisions among communities in the state.
Musa made the comments on Thursday, September 3, 2026, while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he discussed security challenges and the political situation in Kaduna.
The Defence Minister alleged that El-Rufai’s administration created serious divisions between northern and southern Kaduna, describing the situation during the former governor’s tenure as “toxic.”
According to Musa, the divisions became so pronounced that residents from Southern Kaduna allegedly faced difficulties living in the northern part of the state, while some people from northern Kaduna moved towards the southern areas.
“El-Rufai did a lot of terrible things in Kaduna State. He divided the state into two,” Musa said during the interview. The minister also linked the former administration to the violence experienced in Southern Kaduna, alleging that residents remain deeply affected by the killings recorded during the period.
Musa further criticised what he described as El-Rufai’s approach to governance and accused him of using a “divide and rule” style of politics. He argued that political leaders should instead work towards bringing Nigerians together, rather than allowing ethnic, religious or regional differences to deepen existing tensions.
The Defence Minister contrasted the situation with the administration of current Kaduna Governor Uba Sani, whom he credited with making deliberate efforts to rebuild trust and improve relations among communities.
Musa acknowledged that the state still has challenges to overcome but maintained that there has been a noticeable change in the atmosphere under the current administration.
His comments come amid renewed public debate over El-Rufai’s record as Kaduna governor between 2015 and 2023, particularly regarding insecurity, communal tensions and the relationship between the state government and different communities.
The minister also criticised some actions allegedly taken during El-Rufai’s tenure, including demolitions and policies that he said affected residents and limited opportunities. However, the allegations made by Musa remain claims attributed to the Defence Minister, and El-Rufai’s response to the latest accusations was not included in the reports reviewed.
The latest exchange adds another chapter to the political debate surrounding El-Rufai’s years in office and the wider question of how governments should address longstanding ethnic, religious and regional tensions.
For many Nigerians, the controversy also highlights the importance of political leadership that prioritises unity and peaceful coexistence, particularly in states that have experienced years of communal conflict.
As the debate continues, attention is likely to remain focused on whether El-Rufai or his representatives will respond to Musa’s latest allegations and provide their own account of the issues raised.