The Governor Uba Sani-led All Progressives Congress administration in Kaduna State has warned the immediate past governor of the state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to desist from acts of surreptitious manipulation and the peddling of falsehood against the state governor, or risk arrest for disturbing public peace.

Alleging that the former governor resorted to wanton acts of provocation and manipulation of public opinion immediately after his minions were thrashed at the August 16 by-election in the state, the Kaduna State government regretted that the former governor has continued to stoke ethno-religious tension.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Suleiman Shauibu, the state government stated that the people of Kaduna State have endured enough trauma caused by the divisive politics of the former chief executive.

Consequently, the statement declared: “This government will not fold its arms and allow a discredited former leader, who left the state in ruins, to ignite chaos and plunge the state into another era of ethno-religious tension, insecurity, and economic stagnation.”

Recall that Mallam El Rufai had, in the course of his appearance in a Channels Television live programme, Sunday Politics, alleged that contrary to some reports, the Kaduna State government was appeasing bandits and criminals with cash handouts and food to create the false impression of improved security of lives and property in the state.

But, pushing back on the claims, the Internal Security Commissioner stated: “These are calculated lies designed to undermine security efforts, incite public anger, and legitimise criminality. They insult the sacrifices of our armed forces and intelligence community.”

He further repudiated the former governor’s allegation that the state government sent thugs to disrupt a meeting convened to receive defectors from other parties to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying that El-Rufai was the cause of the confusion because he convened an illegal and chaotic meeting, which degenerated into violence defined by sporadic gunshots.

While urging Nigerians to discountenance the false claims by El-Rufai, Shuaibu disclosed that the former governor relishes fear-mongering and chaos, recalling that the state has gone beyond the pains of his era, which was underpinned by a divisive legacy.

The commissioner said that the people of Kaduna State have embraced Senator Uba Sani’s new hope agenda of inclusivity and progress, adding that the state governor reserves the constitutional right and legal authority “to deal decisively with any individual or group that seeks to destabilise the state.

“The peace of Kaduna is non-negotiable. Anyone who dares to threaten it — be it Nasir El-Rufai or his accomplices — will be held accountable,” he declared.