North Central regional group, Middle Belt Forum (MBF), has issued a strong warning to President Bola Tinubu regarding the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai. In a statement, the MBF described El-Rufai as a "little but dangerous manipulator" and a "national evil that must be avoided at all costs." The group's reaction came in response to El-Rufai's provocative pronouncements on alleged Islamization. The MBF went further to urge the Department of State Service (DSS) to invite El-Rufai for questioning.
The MBF's National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Isuwa Dogo, expressed concerns about the planned Islamization agenda in Nigeria, stating that it is not a fluke but a genuine plan. Dogo highlighted a video clip in which El-Rufai narrated his determination to sustain a Muslim-Muslim ticket for another 20 years, emphasizing the importance of Christians accepting such a ticket as a solution for peace in Kaduna State and at the federal level. However, the MBF pointed out that El-Rufai failed to mention that during his eight-year tenure as governor, Kaduna State experienced a surge in kidnappings, violence, and the loss of numerous lives and communities.
According to the MBF, El-Rufai poses a significant threat to the unity of the nation and is actively working towards promoting the supremacy of the Islamic faith in positions of power. The group cautioned Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be cautious in their association with El-Rufai, describing him as a dangerous manipulator skilled in deploying religious sentiments for political gains. The MBF strongly urged Nigerian security agencies to monitor El-Rufai closely and called for his invitation by the secret police for an interview.
Dogo denounced El-Rufai's comments before the clerics as an act of national hypocrisy aimed at inciting religious conflict. The MBF criticized El-Rufai and his supporters for their deceitful attempts to sow religious tension and bigotry, considering it an outrageous act. The group emphasized that Nigerians were deeply disappointed by El-Rufai's statements, viewing them as a deliberate attempt to destabilize the Nigerian state by fueling religious conflagration.
The MBF labeled El-Rufai as a bigot and a divisive leader, highlighting his history of creating chaos and exposing him as an irredeemable religious extremist. The group expressed their belief that El-Rufai should be barred from holding positions of power due to his treacherous actions against both Christians and Muslims. The MBF recalled the Senate's declaration that El-Rufai was unfit for public office, emphasizing the agreement with the upper chamber's recommendation.
