Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Germany has said petitions submitted to security agencies led to the rejection of Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna state governor’s ministerial nomination in 2023.
Bola Tinubu had nominated El-Rufai for a ministerial position shortly after assuming office, but the nomination was not confirmed by the Nigerian Senate.
In an article published in The Nation, Fani-Kayode dismissed claims that El-Rufai’s nomination was blocked due to a conspiracy involving top government officials.
According to him, the decision followed numerous petitions submitted to the Department of State Services (DSS) by groups in Kaduna State.
He said the petitions came from Shiite Muslims, Tijaniya Muslims, and Christian communities who alleged that their rights were violated and that they suffered persecution during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor.
Fani-Kayode revealed that the complaints were serious enough to influence the Senate’s decision not to confirm the former governor.
He said: “I also forgot to mention the fact that he knocked down many orphanages in Kaduna when he was Governor and that one of the last things he did whilst in office, which he ruthlessly, chillingly and cold-bloodedly carried out the day before handing over power to Governor Uba Sani, was knock down an orphanage at Fadama Badan Dodo in Zaria.
“The worst aspect of this dastardly act was the fact that it took place at 1.00am in the morning and without a court order!
“Details of other demolition activities that he ordered in the days leading up to his exit as Governor on May 29, 2023 were as follows.
“Gbagyi Villa Demolition: Roughly 72 hours before leaving office, the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA) demolished numerous houses in the Gbagyi Villa community in Kaduna.
“Residents claimed that these demolitions occurred despite existing court orders for him not to proceed and that many of the affected buildings were legitimate residences.
“Shi’ite Buildings: On Monday, May 22, 2023—about a week before leaving office—KASUPDA demolished several structures belonging to the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), including schools, a hospital and private residences in various areas, including Kawo, Rigasa and Tudun Wada.
“Prior to these actions, El-Rufai had vowed to continue “demolishing structures” until his “last day in office”.
The former aviation minister further claimed that some of the demolition exercises affected orphanages and residential communities, describing the actions as harsh and controversial.
El-Rufai has previously denied wrongdoing in relation to many of the allegations raised by critics.
Fani-Kayode also addressed recent security-related controversies involving the former governor, including allegations about phone-tapping claims and comments concerning national security issues.
He called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter in order to clarify the issues and ensure national stability.