The family of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), demanding evidence to support his allegation that the former governor deliberately planned killings in Southern Kaduna.
The family said Musa must either substantiate the allegation with credible evidence or publicly withdraw the claim and apologise through the same medium where it was made.
The demand was contained in a statement issued on Monday, September 7, 2026, by Mohammed Bello El-Rufai on behalf of the family. The development followed comments reportedly made by Musa during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on September 3.
During the television interview, the Defence Minister accused El-Rufai’s administration of policies that, in his view, contributed to deep divisions and insecurity in Kaduna State. Musa also alleged that the former governor deliberately planned the killing of people in Southern Kaduna.
The El-Rufai family described the allegation as serious and expressed concern that no evidence was presented during the broadcast to substantiate the claim.
According to the family, while Musa has the right to express his views, allegations of such gravity should be backed by credible and verifiable evidence.
The family therefore challenged the Defence Minister to provide proof within seven days or issue a full public retraction and apology through the same television platform where the allegation was made.
It further warned that failure to meet the demand within the stipulated period could lead to legal action.
The controversy has added another dimension to the ongoing political and security debate surrounding El-Rufai’s tenure as Kaduna governor between 2015 and 2023. Musa has maintained that Southern Kaduna experienced significant violence and political divisions during that period, while the former governor’s family has now formally challenged the Defence Minister to substantiate his specific allegation concerning the planning of killings.
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The matter could therefore move beyond political exchanges if the seven-day deadline expires without a retraction or evidence being presented.
