The Coalition of Northern Elders for Peace and Development (CNEEPD) has thrown its weight behind the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), following his recent criticism of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
The group said Musa’s remarks reflected what it described as the reality of El-Rufai’s eight-year administration, which it accused of leaving behind controversies, social divisions and alleged maladministration.
In a statement jointly signed by Engr. Zana Goni, representing the North-East; Dr Mohammed Suleman, North-West; and Prof. John Anaho, North-Central, the coalition said the Defence Minister should not be attacked for speaking about issues relating to Kaduna State’s political and social development.
The elders argued that Musa’s comments should be viewed within the broader context of governance and accountability rather than being reduced to a partisan or regional dispute.
“General Christopher Musa did not invent the history of Kaduna State. He spoke about a reality that Nigerians must have the courage to confront,” the coalition said.
CNEEPD further described the minister’s assessment as a reflection of the former governor’s tenure, saying, “the statement of the Defence Minister is a true picture of the El-Rufai government in Kaduna.”
The coalition said the performance of any government should be judged not only by infrastructure and official claims of achievement but also by its impact on citizens, social cohesion and public institutions.
“Development cannot be reduced to buildings, roads and statistics when the people are divided, and public confidence in government is weakened,” CNEEPD said.
The elders maintained that the controversies surrounding El-Rufai’s tenure deserved comprehensive scrutiny, particularly allegations concerning the treatment of communities, workers, public institutions and political opponents.
They said controversial government policies should also be assessed according to their consequences for ordinary citizens, arguing that political influence should not prevent public scrutiny of a former office holder’s record.
The coalition declared its readiness to defend Musa against what it described as attempts to discredit him for raising questions about the former Kaduna administration.
“Those attacking General Musa should answer the issues he raised instead of attacking the messenger,” the coalition declared.
It added that “Leadership does not confer immunity from criticism. Former public office holders must be prepared to have their records examined, questioned and debated by Nigerians.”
CNEEPD also warned against turning criticism of a northern political leader into a regional confrontation, saying the North should not defend individuals merely because they share the same regional identity.
“The North must stop protecting individuals at the expense of the truth. Our loyalty must first be to the people, to good governance and to the peace of the region,” the elders said.
The coalition said the controversy had created an opportunity for Nigerians to reassess the record of the former Kaduna administration based on evidence rather than political allegiance.
It stressed that its intervention was not intended to deny whatever achievements El-Rufai might have recorded while in office, but to ensure that such achievements did not overshadow criticisms and controversies associated with his tenure.
“We are not asking Nigerians to accept propaganda from either side. We are asking them to look at the facts and judge the administration objectively,” CNEEPD stated.
The elders also rejected criticism attributed to Yakubu Sani Wudi, a Nigerian lecturer and researcher at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia, who reportedly expressed disappointment with Musa’s remarks.
“Many of us who initially welcomed his appointment with great hope are now deeply disappointed,” Wudi was quoted as saying.
However, CNEEPD said disagreement with Musa did not justify shielding El-Rufai’s administration from scrutiny.
The group acknowledged that critics of the Defence Minister were entitled to their views but insisted that the former governor’s record should remain open to public debate.
“Those who disagree with General Musa are entitled to their opinion, but they cannot rewrite the history of Kaduna simply because they dislike what he said,” the coalition declared.
It challenged those defending El-Rufai to respond to the allegations rather than concentrating solely on Musa’s comments.
“Instead of condemning General Musa for speaking, let those defending El-Rufai tell Nigerians whether the allegations of division and maladministration are false and, if so, provide the facts,” the elders said.
CNEEPD further argued that leaving public office did not remove a former governor from the reach of public accountability.
“The office of governor is not a shield against accountability. Once a person leaves office, his record becomes part of the public history of the state and Nigerians have every right to interrogate it,” the elders said.
The coalition also criticised what it described as political hero-worship, warning that treating former governors as untouchable figures could undermine democratic accountability.
“The North cannot develop by turning former governors into untouchable political icons. We must be able to say when our leaders got it wrong and demand explanations,” CNEEPD stated.
According to the elders, the dispute should focus on the welfare and future of Kaduna residents rather than a personality clash between Musa and El-Rufai.
“Kaduna does not need political mythology. Kaduna needs truth, accountability and reconciliation,” the group said.
The coalition urged political actors to avoid exploiting ethnic, religious and regional identities whenever the records of public officials were questioned.
“Whenever a northern leader is criticised, the response should not be to hide behind the North. The question should be: was the criticism justified?” the elders said.
CNEEPD consequently reaffirmed its backing for Musa, describing his intervention as part of a wider conversation on leadership, governance and accountability.
It said the minister’s experience as a former Chief of Defence Staff gave him extensive exposure to the country’s security and socio-political environment and urged Nigerians not to dismiss his views without considering their substance.
“We stand with General Christopher Musa because speaking about the failures and divisions that affected Kaduna is not an act of betrayal against the North. It is an act of responsibility,” the elders declared.
They added: “The North must have the courage to confront its own failures. We cannot demand accountability from other regions while defending our own leaders from scrutiny.”
The group called for an evidence-based assessment of the competing claims surrounding El-Rufai’s tenure, urging Nigerians to consider the experiences of Kaduna residents and the wider effects of policies implemented during his administration.
It also warned that political loyalty should not supersede the interests of citizens.
“The interest of Kaduna people is greater than the political interest of any former governor. The interest of Nigeria is greater than the ambition of any individual,” it said.
CNEEPD urged supporters of both El-Rufai and Musa to engage in constructive debate and avoid personal attacks, saying the controversy could provide an opportunity for Kaduna and the wider North to strengthen the culture of accountability.
The coalition concluded by reaffirming its support for public officials who speak against policies and practices it believes undermine unity, good governance and development.
“General Musa has spoken. Let Nigerians examine what he said. Let the facts speak. If the allegations are wrong, they should be disproved with evidence. But nobody should be silenced simply because the truth is uncomfortable,” the northern elders said.
