Ganduje Fires Back At El-Rufai Over Dadiyata Allegation, Demands Evidence Not Political Rhetoric

Former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has categorically rejected allegations by his former Kaduna State counterpart, Nasir El-Rufai, linking him to the disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.

In a measured but unequivocal response contained in a statement signed by former Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs in Kano State, Comrade Muhammad Garba, the former APC National Chairman described the accusation as reckless, baseless, and a calculated attempt to deflect responsibility for an incident that occurred entirely within Kaduna State.

Garba stressed that Dadiyata lived and operated in Kaduna, where he was widely known for directing his criticisms at the Kaduna State Government. He noted that there is no credible record indicating that the activist’s primary focus was the Kano State Government or Dr. Ganduje.

“Everyone in Kaduna understood the nature of his criticisms and who they were directed at,” the statement read, emphasizing that responsibility for security in Kaduna at the time rested squarely with the state government and the relevant federal security agencies operating within its jurisdiction.

The statement urged the public to scrutinize El-Rufai’s recent remarks carefully, insisting that serious allegations of such magnitude must be backed by verifiable evidence, not political insinuations. Dragging Ganduje into the matter without proof, Garba argued, not only politicizes a painful and unresolved episode but also risks further muddying an already sensitive case.

Drawing a contrast between the political environments of both states during the period in question, Garba maintained that Ganduje’s two-term administration in Kano was defined by tolerance for criticism, open engagement with the media, and accommodation of opposition voices.

“Unlike many leaders who maintained strained relationships with the press, we permitted scrutiny, accommodated critical voices, and even drew lessons from dissent,” he stated.

He further asserted that there were no records of arrests, intimidation, or harassment of journalists and critics in Kano throughout Ganduje’s tenure.

Garba also referenced public commentary over the years that has largely centered on developments within Kaduna State, noting that former Senator Shehu Sani had previously observed that many individuals in the state were reluctant to speak openly about the case. He added that commentator Reno Omokri had at various times raised questions about how the matter was handled.

Expressing particular concern over El-Rufai’s claim that a police officer allegedly confessed to being sent from Kano to abduct Dadiyata, Garba questioned why such grave information—if credible—was neither formally presented to investigative authorities nor pursued transparently through appropriate security channels at the time.

“It is difficult to reconcile a claim of having no prior knowledge of the individual with simultaneously making detailed assertions about who was responsible,” he noted pointedly.

While reiterating sympathy for Dadiyata’s family, Garba emphasized that the focus must remain on uncovering the truth through lawful, transparent, and impartial investigative processes rather than political crossfire.