Human rights activist, Mahdi Shehu, has accused former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of hypocrisy over his recent criticism of security approaches adopted by current leaders.…….CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Reacting to El-Rufai’s interview on Channels Television last week, Shehu recalled that the ex-governor once admitted to compensating armed herders, yet now condemns others for engaging with bandits.
Shehu cited a Vanguard report of December 3, 2016, in which El-Rufai revealed that his administration tracked armed herders in Cameroon and Niger, offered them compensation for lives lost, and appealed to them to stop attacks in Kaduna.
Quoting El-Rufai, Shehu said:
> “We took specific measures by sending teams to trace these individuals in countries like Cameroon and Niger, informing them that there is a new governor who is Fulani, willing to pay compensation for lives lost, and urging them to stop the killings.”
Shehu argued that El-Rufai cannot now present himself as an opponent of strategies involving financial inducements when he himself once justified them.
> “Is this not the same El-Rufai who admitted to paying compensation and gifts to armed groups, yet today condemns others for similar steps simply because he is no longer in power?” he asked.
The activist further accused the former governor of selective memory, noting that between 2015 and 2023, during El-Rufai’s close alliance with the Buhari administration, insecurity reached unprecedented levels despite trillions spent on security.
Shehu maintained that El-Rufai’s shifting stance exemplifies how former power holders often adopt new postures once they leave office.…….CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
