By Erewunmi Peace

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has said he took firm actions against some leaders in Southern Kaduna because he does not tolerate what he described as “entitlement” and “nonsense,” regardless of criticism.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program, El-Rufai dismissed allegations that his administration was biased against Southern Kaduna communities. The former governor stated that some individuals from the region felt entitled to special treatment, a notion he strongly rejected.

“There are people in Southern Kaduna that feel entitled to behave in a certain way. I dealt with them. Some of the closest people I worked with in government are from Southern Kaduna. They know that this is not true,” El-Rufai said.

He emphasized that governance under his leadership was based on fairness and merit, not favoritism or regional politics. According to him, he applied the same principle to other groups, including the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), led by Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, stating that he would not allow lawlessness from any section of the state.

“I don’t care what critics think; governance isn’t a joke. If you want a government that tolerates nonsense, I am not the one,” he added.

El-Rufai, who served as Kaduna State Governor from 2015 to 2023, has often faced criticism over alleged marginalization of Southern Kaduna, a region with a significant Christian population. His recent comments have reignited debates on ethnic and religious relations in the state.

Why It Matters

The former governor’s comments come at a time when conversations about leadership style, inclusion, and ethnic relations remain sensitive topics in Nigeria’s political space. His strong stance could influence future discussions on governance and regional politics.