El-Rufai: Defence minister spoke from informed position, experience – CSO

A civil society organisation, Communal Responsibility and Civic Minded Foundation (CRCMF), has defended the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), over his comments on the ugly security situation in Kaduna state under the immediate past governor, Nasir el-Rufai, saying the minister spoke as an experienced and informed top security officer who knew what happened at that time.

The organisation said this during a world press conference Thursday in Abuja.

The group reaffirmed its “unwavering support for the Honourable Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), and to reject any attempt to intimidate, silence or distract him from speaking on matters relating to national security, peace, unity and the welfare of Nigerians.”

A release signed by the Executive Director of CRCMF, Comrade Godwin Erheriene, stated that public officials entrusted with the security of “our nation must be able to speak openly about the security challenges Nigeria has faced and the lessons that must be learnt from them.”

Musa had, on September 3, 2026, during a live interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, spoke about the security and socio-political realities experienced by communities in Southern Kaduna during the administration of el-Rufai, attracting a strong reaction from the former governor and his legal representatives, who reportedly threatened legal actions.

The minister, a highly decorated Nigerian military officer with about 35 years of active service, and who had “witnessed first-hand the devastating consequences of insecurity, communal violence, terrorism and the breakdown of trust between communities” was qualified to speak on the subject.”

The General had referenced “insecurity, alleged payments to bandits, the demolition of properties and the use of ethnic or religious divisions in the political environment of the state” in the days of el-Rufai.

According to the group, “The statements attributed to the former governor concerning dealings with bandits exist in publicly available recordings, speeches or interviews.”

It, however, emphasised that “legal rights must not become a mechanism for intimidating public officials or discouraging legitimate discussion of Nigeria’s security history,” especially for communities in Southern Kaduna that live with painful memories of violence, displacement, and destruction for many years.

It stated further that the people “deserve more than political arguments,” adding that “They deserve truth, justice, reconciliation and lasting security.”