The Democracy Watch Initiative (DWI) has accused the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai of heating up the policy and creating unnecessary tension in Kaduna State. The Group said that recent comments by the former Governor has vindicated former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s long-standing assessment of him.
In a statement on Tuesday, the group’s Director of Strategic Communication, Dr. Tunji Bamidele, said Obasanjo’s earlier warnings about El-Rufai’s lack of integrity continue to be validated.
DWI noted that Nigeria’s fragile political climate demands leaders of unquestionable integrity, cautioning that divisive and misleading remarks erode public trust and weaken democracy. The group pointed to the controversy generated by El-Rufai’s recent claims on security in Kaduna and the North-Central region.
It referenced the Birnin-Gwari Vanguard for Security and Good Governance, which dismissed the claims that bandits were financially incentivized, describing them as attempts to discredit peace efforts that had brought relief to the area.
It stressed that public discourse must be anchored on truth and integrity, with leaders taking responsibility for providing accurate information. DWI urged Nigerians and political leaders to critically evaluate statements from public figures and called on the media to prioritize accuracy in reporting to prevent misinformation.
