Former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, has accused the state government of sponsoring the shooting that disrupted his meeting with defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna.

El-Rufai, who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today, dismissed insinuations that he was not a member of the ADC.

He explained that both he and former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, obtained waivers to remain in their original political parties until the conclusion of the by-elections in their respective states.

On the security situation in Kaduna State, the former governor alleged that the current administration was sending money and food to bandits in an attempt to create a false sense of improved safety.

Citing a report by SBM Intelligence, he argued that banditry in Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara states had worsened because some state governments were “humouring criminals,” which, he said, amounted to empowering enemies of the state.

El-Rufai also addressed his role in supporting the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket that brought President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima to power in 2023.

He said the decision was purely a political strategy that succeeded electorally and not one rooted in religion.

He, however, faulted Tinubu’s administration for what he described as poor performance, insisting that his support for the president’s emergence does not prevent him from holding the government accountable for its “many failings.”

On his relationship with his successor, Senator Uba Sani, el-Rufai said they were not friends but denied suggestions of a rift, noting that allegations of mismanagement of Kaduna State resources were already before the courts.

The former governor further predicted defeat for President Tinubu in 2027 despite the ruling party’s control of key state institutions.

“He will be defeated; he does not have the pathway to win. I have done the arithmetic. Tinubu has not lost an election before, but let us wait and see,” el-Rufai declared.