Fani-Kayode Condemns El-Rufai's Alleged Human Rights Abuses
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has launched a scathing critique against the human rights record of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, particularly focusing on El-Rufai's time as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In a detailed social media post, Fani-Kayode accused El-Rufai of multiple violations, including attempts to suppress media freedom and illegally confiscate property.
Allegations of Media Suppression and Land Seizure
Fani-Kayode alleged that El-Rufai sought to shut down African Independent Television (AIT), a station owned by the late media entrepreneur Raymond Dokpesi, and seize the land on which it was built. According to Fani-Kayode, El-Rufai not only attempted to close the television station but also illegally confiscated large surrounding areas of land that AIT had legally purchased and held valid certificates of occupancy for. He further claimed that El-Rufai ordered the demolition of some AIT buildings without due process and in defiance of court orders, actions he described as blatant abuses of power.
Claims of a Foiled Arson Plot
In a more serious allegation, Fani-Kayode stated that after being directed to stop harassing Dokpesi and AIT, El-Rufai allegedly planned to burn down the television station. He asserted that this plan was leaked to insiders within the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and was opposed by several high-ranking officials. Fani-Kayode named individuals who reportedly intervened, including:
- Former Chief of Staff to the President, Abdullahi Mohammed
- Former presidential spokesperson, Remi Oyo
- Former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu
- Former Political Adviser to the President, Akin Osuntokun
- Uba Sani, who served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs at the time
Fani-Kayode claimed that their collective intervention prevented the arson plot, warning that without it, AIT might have been destroyed and the incident falsely attributed to an electrical fault.
Contrast with Past Media Engagement
Reflecting on the Obasanjo era, Fani-Kayode argued that critics in the media, such as the late Sam Nda-Isaiah, founder of Leadership Newspaper, were not persecuted but engaged through public debate. He emphasized that this approach fostered democratic discourse, contrasting it with what he described as El-Rufai's oppressive tactics.
Call for Investigation into Security Concerns
Fani-Kayode also expressed concern over recent comments attributed to El-Rufai regarding the alleged importation of chemical weapons into Nigeria. He urged authorities to thoroughly investigate these claims, stating that they raise serious security issues and should not be taken lightly. He concluded by stressing that El-Rufai's past actions and current allegations have significant implications for national security and democratic freedoms, warranting careful scrutiny.
