Allegations of human rights violations, imprudent public statements, and an influx of complaints have been raised by the State Security Service (SSS) against the nomination of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, according to an exclusive report by PREMIUM TIMES.
The Senate, following a week of deliberations, confirmed 45 ministerial nominees on Monday, withholding confirmation for the remaining three. The surprising inclusion of Nasir El-Rufai, a close ally of and vocal supporter of President Bola Tinubu, among the trio raised eyebrows.
El-Rufai's affiliation with President Tinubu, established through their reconciliation before the 2023 presidential election, seemed to boost his standing. He shared his collaborative intentions with Tinubu during his screening, emphasizing an invitation to work together.
During the scrutiny process on August 2nd, El-Rufai was treated with remarkable deference by senators, many of whom spoke in his favor and discouraged critical questions. An effort by Senator Sunday Karimi to address a security-related petition against El-Rufai was swiftly dismissed.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the receipt of several petitions against ministerial nominees, not limited to El-Rufai. He clarified that such issues would be referred to the president and relevant investigative bodies.
Surprisingly, Nasir El-Rufai's confirmation was among the three held back for security clearance, leaving Nigerians puzzled about the nature of the security concerns.
However, an investigation by PREMIUM TIMES revealed specific security apprehensions raised by the SSS against El-Rufai. Although these claims cannot be independently verified, sources divulged that the concerns encompass various categories such as human rights abuses, inflammatory statements, petitions, misuse of public trust, and other miscellaneous issues.
Of note, the SSS report emphasized "unguarded statements" by El-Rufai, a prominent figure in Nigerian politics since 1999, known for his controversial remarks. One instance mentioned was a comment after his party's victory in the March governorship election, where he implied that Muslims could rule Kaduna while ensuring justice for Christians. This statement incited division, given the region's delicate religious and ethnic balance.
Previous comments by El-Rufai, including remarks regarding foreign election observers and his readiness to defend Nigeria against external interference, were also cited by the SSS as causes for concern. Additionally, a past tweet labeled as "blasphemy" attracted criticism.
Allegations of human rights abuses during El-Rufai's time as governor also surfaced. These allegations involved the 2015 Zaria incident, where over 300 followers of Shiite leader Ibraheem El-Zakzaky were killed by the military. The SSS claimed that the UN human rights body and the International Criminal Court (ICC) were investigating the matter.
Financial misconduct allegations were directed at El-Rufai as well, specifically linked to the sale of federal government assets. The SSS claimed ongoing litigations regarding these alleged actions, including accusations of embezzlement and misuse of public funds.
El-Rufai's nomination garnered significant opposition, resulting in multiple petitions and demonstrations. The SSS indicated that his nomination attracted the most petitions and rejections, including petitions to various international bodies like the ICC.
Additional claims raised against El-Rufai encompassed insults directed at Northern elders, his alleged description of President Tinubu as corrupt, and accusations of attempting to repeal Sharia law in Kaduna State, which the SSS deemed a potential trigger for conflict.
In conclusion, the SSS's concerns regarding Nasir El-Rufai's nomination include unguarded statements, human rights abuses, financial misconduct, and an influx of petitions and opposition. While the allegations remain unverified, they have prompted the Senate to withhold his confirmation pending security clearance.
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