The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged the Federal Government to call the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd.), to order over comments he made about former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, during a recent television interview.
MURIC alleged that the minister’s remarks amounted to a personal vendetta against El-Rufai, describing the interview as provocative, unfair and capable of worsening tensions in Kaduna State and the country.
The group made its position known in a statement issued on Saturday by its Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola.
Akintola said Musa, during an interview with a television station on Thursday, September 3, made what MURIC described as “unpalatable and incorrect” statements about El-Rufai, including allegations concerning the demolition of houses and the former governor’s handling of issues involving residents of Kaduna State.
The MURIC director also faulted the minister for allegedly accusing El-Rufai of deliberately planning the killing of people in Southern Kaduna.
According to Akintola, such remarks were inappropriate for a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, arguing that the Defence Minister was expected to speak for the entire country rather than appear to promote the interests of a particular ethnic group.
He described the comments as “the height of ethnic jingoism,” insisting that Musa’s responsibility was to defend the whole of Nigeria and promote national cohesion.
MURIC further criticised the timing of the interview, saying it was unfair for the minister to publicly attack El-Rufai while he was in custody and unable to respond to the allegations.
“This interview is in bad taste. It is provocative,” Akintola said, adding that the minister’s comments could deepen existing wounds rather than promote reconciliation.
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The organisation therefore appealed to the Federal Government to call Musa to order and ensure that public officials make statements capable of reducing tension and promoting unity.
“We appeal to the Federal Government to call the Minister of Defence to order. We want people who will douse tension not only in Kaduna State but all over Nigeria, not people who will incite one section against the other,” MURIC said.
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