A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has written an open letter raising fresh allegations and questions about the actions and statements of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
In the letter, Fani-Kayode revisited issues he had earlier raised in a previous article titled “Nasir El-Rufai As a Threat to National Security,” saying he was still awaiting responses to several questions concerning El-Rufai’s conduct while in public office.
He said he recently learned that El-Rufai was reportedly in detention and had suffered a nosebleed while there, expressing sympathy and hoping the former governor would soon be released so he could respond to the issues raised.
Fani-Kayode accused El-Rufai of authorising several demolitions during his tenure as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and later as governor of Kaduna State. According to him, the demolitions allegedly affected thousands of homes and informal settlements, leaving many residents and vulnerable groups displaced.
He further claimed that several structures linked to the Islamic Movement of Nigeria were demolished shortly before El-Rufai left office in May 2023, including schools, a hospital and residential buildings in areas such as Kawo, Rigasa and Tudun Wada. Residents of some affected communities had earlier criticised the demolitions, describing them as unjust and alleging they were carried out despite court orders.
The former minister also alleged that an orphanage in Zaria was demolished in the early hours of the morning shortly before El-Rufai handed over power to the current governor, Uba Sani.
In addition, Fani-Kayode criticised some policies introduced during El-Rufai’s administration, including the suspension of state-sponsored religious pilgrimages and regulations affecting religious activities in Kaduna State. He claimed that some Christian groups were particularly affected by these measures.
He also alleged political tensions between El-Rufai and some former allies, including Governor Uba Sani and the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, accusing the former governor of attempting to undermine their political careers.
Beyond these claims, Fani-Kayode expressed concern over security-related allegations connected to recent public statements attributed to El-Rufai, including claims about phone surveillance involving the office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
He questioned whether individuals associated with the former governor could have links to foreign intelligence or other subversive elements, though he stressed that he was raising questions rather than making direct accusations.
Fani-Kayode also referenced recent allegations involving other political figures, including former Attorney General Abubakar Malami and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva, claiming investigations into security-related issues were ongoing.
He called on Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies — including the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, Department of State Services and the Nigerian Police Force — to thoroughly investigate the matter and clarify the issues raised.
Fani-Kayode concluded that the controversy had moved beyond political disagreements and now raised serious national security concerns, urging authorities to determine the truth behind the allegations.
