By Deborah Musa
The North-Central All Progressives Congress Forum has accused former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of spreading propaganda and falsehood over his claim that insecurity has worsened in the region under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
El-Rufai, during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday evening, alleged that the Tinubu government was paying bandits.
In response on Monday, the North-Central APC Forum, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, noted that insecurity in the region had reduced since Tinubu assumed office in 2023.
The Forum acknowledged that while the region is not entirely free from attacks by armed herdsmen, which were rampant during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, the frequency of attacks and level of destruction have declined due to government interventions.
“The current level of insecurity in the North-Central is less than what we experienced under previous administrations. Before now, it was difficult for our people, who are mostly farmers, to go to their farms because of insecurity. But today, with the leadership provided by Mr President, who has given marching orders to the Armed Forces and other security agencies, our people can farm and harvest their crops,” the statement read.
It credited the deployment of high-tech combat equipment and strategic military operations for successes recorded against bandits, terrorists and criminal networks, which have also boosted local economies.
The statement further cited revitalised security operations, including Operation Whirl Stroke in Benue and Nasarawa States, and Operation Safe Haven—recently renamed Operation Enduring Peace—in Plateau and neighbouring states, as major contributors to improved security.
“The security situation in the country has not degenerated under President Tinubu. On the contrary, he has confronted the challenge head-on and has made considerable progress,” the statement added.
The Forum pointed to Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue following herdsmen attacks in Yelwata as evidence of his commitment to security and the welfare of Nigerians, particularly those in the North-Central.
It also accused El-Rufai of deliberately misleading the public, citing a rebuttal from the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who described the former governor’s allegations as baseless.
“The Office of the National Security Adviser has already dismissed El-Rufai’s claims, particularly his allegation that government pays incentives to bandits. There is no record of the Tinubu administration engaging in such practices,” the Forum said.
The statement further argued that El-Rufai lacked the moral standing to criticise the Federal Government on insecurity, recalling allegations that he paid bandits during his tenure as Kaduna governor.
“This is a man who, as governor, encouraged the insecurity that now plagues the North-West by placing terrorists and bandits on salary. It is no surprise that insecurity in Kaduna has reduced since his successor, Governor Uba Sani, cut ties with him and abandoned his divisive and oppressive policies. The people of Southern Kaduna and other minorities suffered greatly under his administration. El-Rufai cannot escape his reputation as an enabler of insecurity,” the statement declared.
Reaffirming its loyalty to President Tinubu, the North-Central APC Forum restated its endorsement of him for re-election in 2027, pledging to deliver six million votes for him in the region.
It also warned against any attempt by APC members to challenge Tinubu in the party’s presidential primary.
“The party has already endorsed Mr President. All the zones have backed him for re-election. So why would any party member contest against him in the primary? Such an action would amount to disloyalty, and we will protest against it. His performance speaks for him, and we expect all members to unite for his re-election,” the statement added.
Punch