‘Apologize and Withdraw Your Claims or Get Ready for Legal Action’—El Rufai to Gen Musa
Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, has threatened legal action against the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), over alleged defamatory statements made during a live television broadcast.
In a formal “Letter Before Action” dated September 7, 2026, El-Rufai’s legal team demanded a full retraction, a public apology, and financial compensation for what they describe as gravely damaging and baseless accusations.
The Channels TV Broadcast That Sparked a Political Firestorm
The dispute stems from General Musa’s appearance as a guest on Channels Television’s flagship current affairs programme, “Politics Today,” on September 3, 2026.
During the broadcast, the Defence Minister allegedly made several scathing remarks regarding El-Rufai’s tenure as governor, explicitly linking him to security compromises and controversial administrative decisions in Kaduna State.
The Bandits and Ransom Allegations
Among the specific transcriptions cited in the legal document, General Musa reportedly claimed that El-Rufai had previously boasted about paying off criminal actors. The letter quotes the minister as stating that El-Rufai “told us he paid bandits” and was arrogant enough to come out publicly to declare his actions, an assertion the former governor strenuously denies.
The legal notice further highlights what it calls a highly sensitive accusation made by the Defence Minister, who allegedly stated that the public “can never be happy with somebody who has deliberately planned for the killing of our people.”
El-Rufai’s solicitors noted that this statement directly implies their client was complicit in orchestrating violent clashes and massacres across Southern Kaduna.
Bulldozers and Personal Vendettas Unpacked
Beyond security and terrorism funding, the minister also allegedly accused El-Rufai of abusing his executive powers to settle personal vendettas. It said Musa had claimed during the broadcast that El-Rufai would deploy heavy machinery to destroy property, stating that the next thing the former governor does is send a bulldozer to demolish the house of anyone he has a personal disagreement with.
The letter also addresses historical political claims brought up during the broadcast, where General Musa allegedly said that the Nigerian Senate had previously banned El-Rufai from holding public office for ten years.
The legal notice also claimed that the minister further argued that El-Rufai’s administrative style relied heavily on a “divide and rule” strategy that fractured the social fabric of the state.
El-Rufai’s Legal Team Strikes Back With Denials
In a detailed rebuttal included in the claim, El-Rufai’s solicitor, Ubong Esop Akpan, stated that all the imputations are entirely false and lack any factual basis. The legal team clarified that El-Rufai has consistently maintained a strict, publicly documented policy against negotiating with or paying ransoms to bandits, both during and after his time in office.
Regarding the infrastructure and zoning controversies, the legal team asserted that any demolitions carried out under El-Rufai’s administration were executed strictly in accordance with the law for public development purposes.
El Rufai’s lawyers further rejected the notion that Kaduna was divided along ethnic or religious lines under his watch, emphasizing that his policies promoted statewide unity.
Looming Court Battle Over International Libel Claims
Noting that the television interview has already been widely recirculated across major national newspapers and online media outlets, the legal team warned that the comments are fully actionable as libel.
El-Rufai is demanding strict proof of the claims and full disclosure of the minister’s sources, signaling a looming and high-profile courtroom battle if remedies are not swiftly provided.
