The Communal Responsibility and Civic Minded Foundation has publicly backed Defence Minister General Christopher Musa (rtd.) after former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai demanded N10 billion in damages over comments Musa made on national television. The foundation's Executive Director, Godwin Erheriene, signed a statement on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, sent to Legit.ng, asserting that the minister should be free to speak on matters of national security, peace, and the welfare of Nigerians without intimidation.
Background of the Dispute
The disagreement stems from a live interview Musa gave on Channels Television's 'Politics Today' recently, where he discussed security conditions and socio-political realities that communities in Southern Kaduna experienced during El-Rufai's tenure as governor. His remarks touched on insecurity, alleged payments to bandits, demolition of properties, and what he described as the use of ethnic and religious divisions in the state's political environment.
El-Rufai's camp responded sharply. The former governor and his legal representatives reportedly demanded N10 billion in damages and threatened legal action against the minister over the comments. The dispute has drawn attention from various groups and political figures, highlighting the sensitivity of security discussions in the region.
Foundation's Stance on Musa's Credentials
The foundation argued that Musa was well-placed to speak on the subject, citing his background as a native of Southern Kaduna and his roughly 35 years of military service. According to the group's statement, Musa attended the Nigeria Military School, Zaria, and the Nigerian Defence Academy, before rising through the ranks of the Nigerian military to the position of General. That career, the foundation said, brought him face to face with the consequences of insecurity, communal violence, and terrorism, giving him both a personal and professional stake in the issues he discussed.
The group did not dismiss El-Rufai's right to seek legal redress, but cautioned that court action should not serve as a tool to silence public officials or discourage scrutiny of those who have held office. It called for any disagreements over the minister's remarks to be settled through open, evidence-based engagement.
Call for Unity and Judicial Independence
The foundation also appealed to all sides to keep the judiciary's independence intact, urged media organisations to make room for balanced discussion, and called on political leaders to avoid language that could inflame ethnic, religious, or regional tensions. It said communities in Southern Kaduna that had endured violence, displacement, and loss deserved truth, justice, and lasting security, not political point-scoring.
The organisation concluded by urging all parties to focus on Nigeria's unity and security rather than personal or political grievances, and to let the facts guide the outcome of the dispute. The statement emphasized that the allegations and the legal response must be handled in a manner that prioritizes the nation's stability and the well-being of its citizens.
In a related development, Legit.ng earlier reported that Bolaji Abdullahi, the national publicity secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), issued a direct warning to President Bola Tinubu over the detention of former Governor El-Rufai. Abdullahi alleged that El-Rufai's continued custody was politically motivated and designed to sideline him from the 2027 elections. El-Rufai is facing separate trials by the DSS and ICPC, with his bail application dismissed in early July, while his wives appealed to Tinubu for help.
