Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has asked the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, to substantiate his allegation that ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was involved in the violence in Southern Kaduna.
Dalung said the claim is too weighty to be left as a passing remark and must be backed with concrete facts for public scrutiny and possible action.
He spoke on Friday, September 11, 2026, in reaction to a report by Daily Post.
Dalung said the Defence Minister’s statement has generated serious questions that demand clear answers.
According to him, if the military leadership has information connecting El-Rufai to the killings in Southern Kaduna, that information should be placed before Nigerians and the appropriate institutions.
“If Musa has information linking El-Rufai to the killings, such evidence should be made available for proper examination,” Dalung stated.
He argued that allegations of genocide cannot be treated as political commentary.
“The allegation is too serious to remain at the level of public statements without supporting facts,” he said.
The former minister insisted that Nigerians deserve to know the basis for the claim, and that the matter must be pursued until it reaches a conclusion.
“So I still maintain my stand that Musa having volunteered to whet our intellectual appetite that El-Rufai was involved in genocide, we will not allow this issue to die. Christopher Musa must provide evidence of El-Rufai’s role in Southern Kaduna genocide, he must go beyond this and provide us with the ingredient,” Dalung said.
He stressed that producing evidence would enable relevant authorities to determine whether El-Rufai bears any responsibility for the attacks that have claimed many lives over the years.
Dalung maintained that anyone making such a grave accusation has a duty to be transparent.
According to him, public officials must be held to account for statements that touch on national security and human rights.
“The seriousness of the allegation requires transparency and accountability from those making the claims,” he said.
He urged the Defence Minister to clarify the circumstances around the allegation and to present whatever details are in his possession.
Southern Kaduna has witnessed repeated attacks and communal clashes for years, with accusations and counter-accusations often traded by political actors.
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, has previously denied responsibility for the violence and has blamed armed groups and systemic security failures.
With the 2027 elections approaching, issues around security, accountability and past records are expected to feature prominently in political debates.
Dalung said the public interest demands that the Defence Minister’s claim does not fade away without proof.
“The matter should not be allowed to fade away because of the seriousness of the accusation,” he added.
