TAN warns el-Rufai’s actions could spark crisis in Kaduna

The Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN) has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, to plunge the state into another round of crisis.

TAN’s National Coordinator, Michael Briggs, in a statement on Friday, noted that it stands firmly against any attempt to plunge Kaduna back into the abyss of turmoil.

TAN called on the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to act swiftly and decisively to probe the allegations surrounding El-Rufai’s activities within and outside the country with the urgency of a firefighter rushing to extinguish a blaze before it consumes everything in its path.

“The seeds of discord must be uprooted before they take root and spread their toxic vines across the state. The stability in Kaduna reflects the stability not just in the North West but across the entire country,” it noted.

“We cannot risk undermining the trust of investors who are starting to come back to the state. The fledgling investments in Kaduna, nurtured by the return of confidence, are the tender shoots of economic growth. The state’s resurgence as a hub of commerce and industry must be sustained.

“We owe it to ourselves, our loved ones, and the people of Kaduna State to take a stand against any actions that might jeopardise the hard-won peace and stability. We must prioritise the well-being and safety of our citizens over individual political interests. The fate of Kaduna State hangs in the balance, and we must act with foresight and collective responsibility to prevent another descent into chaos.”

To the political actors and community leaders of Kaduna, TAN called on them to reject the siren song of division and violence, since the path to power must never be paved with the broken dreams and shattered lives of the innocent.

TAN insists that the people of Kaduna are not pawns to be moved across a chessboard of political ambition; they are the heart and soul of the state, deserving of peace, dignity and opportunity.

TAN also called on the citizens of Kaduna to remain vigilant and united, adding that, like a mighty tree that withstands the fiercest storms because its roots are deeply intertwined, the people of Kaduna must stand together in solidarity.

TAN thereby reaffirmed its commitment to working with all stakeholders to promote peace, justice, and good governance in Kaduna State and across Nigeria.