Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has called for former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to be formally questioned over his recent claims that the Federal Government is financially supporting bandits.
Baba-Ahmed made the remarks during an appearance on Politics Today, a programme broadcast by Channels Television on Tuesday. He strongly criticised the response issued by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, which dismissed El-Rufai’s allegations.
“If the so-called office of the National Security Adviser treats this statement with levity, then Nuhu Ribadu was never a policeman; he is not a qualified lawyer; he should not hold that office,” Baba-Ahmed stated emphatically.
He further insisted that El-Rufai ought to be compelled to provide formal statements to the police and courts, implying that the former governor’s allegations amounted to serious accusations that demand legal scrutiny.
El-Rufai had earlier alleged that the Federal Government, in collaboration with Kaduna State authorities, was providing bandits with monthly allowances and supplying food as part of so-called “non-kinetic measures” to quell violence. The former governor labelled this approach a “kiss-the-bandits” policy, a phrase that has since sparked widespread debate and condemnation.
The controversy comes amid growing public concern over the Nigerian government’s strategies to combat rising banditry and insecurity across several states. Banditry, kidnapping, and violent clashes have intensified in the northwest and other regions, presenting a significant challenge to the country’s security apparatus.
The Labour Party, which rose to prominence in recent years as a strong opposition force advocating for reform and transparency, has repeatedly called for greater accountability from the government regarding its security policies. Baba-Ahmed’s call for a proper investigation into El-Rufai’s claims fits within the party’s broader stance on ensuring that officials are held responsible for public statements that affect national security.
Speaking further on Politics Today, Baba-Ahmed emphasised the need for truth and transparency: “The people deserve to know whether their leaders are truly committed to ending insecurity or if there are elements within the system undermining these efforts.”
With Nigeria facing some of its worst security challenges in recent memory, the unfolding debate over El-Rufai’s allegations highlights the political and legal complexities surrounding efforts to tackle banditry. How the Federal Government responds to this latest controversy may have far-reaching implications for public trust and the nation’s security strategy going forward.
