A coalition of youth leaders from Southern Kaduna on Thursday demanded a comprehensive investigation into alleged payments made to bandits during the administration of Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor .
The demand was made during a protest in Kafanchan, headquarters of Jama’a Local Government Area, where the group insisted that the former governor must explain circumstances surrounding alleged payments to armed groups accused of unleashing violence on communities in Southern Kaduna.
The statement was jointly signed by Nasiru Jagaba, former Youth Leader of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, and Derek Christopher, Chairman of the Southern Kaduna Peace and Security Network.
In 2016, El-Rufai reportedly confirmed that his administration paid money to armed Fulani herdsmen to halt killings in Southern Kaduna and stop reprisal attacks following the 2011 post election violence.
The former governor is currently being held by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of corruption.
The coalition also called on the ICPC, Department of State Services (DSS) Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to sustain investigations into the alleged ₦432 billion said to have been embezzled during the eight years of El – Rufai’s administration.
“We call on the DSS, EFCC, and ICPC to continue their ongoing investigation into the alleged ₦432 billion.
“The people of Kaduna demand justice and full accountability,” the coalition said.
The group further declared that El-Rufai should face the law over allegations of wire tapping the telephone of Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA).
The former governor had, while featuring on an Arise Television programme “Prime Time”, alleged that an individual tapped the NSA’s telephone, enabling him and others to listen to conversations in which Ribadu allegedly ordered his arrest upon his return from Cairo.
The statement said: “We, a coalition of youth leaders of Southern Kaduna and concerned citizens of Kaduna State, formally demand full public disclosure regarding statements attributed to former Governor Nasir El- Rufai concerning the alleged payment of public funds to armed bandits during his administration.
“What exact amount of public funds was paid. On what specific dates were the payments made?Through what legal and financial mechanisms were the payments processed? Under what statutory or executive authority were such payments approved. Were these expenditures captured in Kaduna State’s official budget or security votes.
“At the heart of this demand lies the constitutional right of citizens to access public information under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which enshrines transparency, accountability, and responsible governance as foundational democratic principles.”
The coalition maintained that if public funds were disbursed to non state armed actors, “such transactions must be subjected to legislative scrutiny, audit review, and lawful justification.”
It stressed that public funds are not discretionary gifts but resources held in trust for the people.
“Any admission that taxpayer money was transferred to armed groups requires full transparency and compliance with the law,” it said.
Referencing Kaduna State’s membership of the Open Government Partnership, the group stressed the need for constitutional compliance.
While reaffirming support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the coalition also expressed confidence in the leadership of Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani.
“Kaduna cannot subscribe to openness internationally while operating secrecy domestically,” the coalition declared.
The group urged the Kaduna State House of Assembly to initiate a transparent public inquiry and called for an independent review of security vote expenditures, executive approvals, and financial transfer records linked to the alleged transactions.
“Accountability is not persecution. Transparency is not hostility. Kaduna taxpayers deserve to know how their money was used, especially when it concerns negotiations with armed groups that terrorised communities.”
Southern Kaduna youths demand probe of El Rufai over alleged bandit payments
