Uba Sani’s aide defends Musa, urges critics to respond with facts

Uba Sani’s aide defends Musa, urges critics to respond with facts

The Senior Special Adviser to Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani on Public Affairs, Victor Mathew Bobai, has defended Minister of Defence Christopher Musa over his recent comments concerning former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, urging critics to challenge the minister with facts rather than resort to personal attacks.

Bobai said it was unfair to interpret Musa’s remarks during a recent Channels Television interview as a politically motivated or personal attack on the former governor.

The governor’s aide made the statement amid controversy surrounding Musa’s assessment of events in Kaduna State during El-Rufai’s administration.

During the interview, Musa criticised aspects of El-Rufai’s eight-year administration, alleging that some of the former governor’s policies and actions contributed to divisions between communities in Kaduna.

The Defence Minister also spoke about grievances in parts of Southern Kaduna, including killings recorded during the period, and said some residents remained unhappy over how the situation was handled.

Musa further praised Governor Uba Sani for what he described as efforts to promote greater unity and improve relations among communities across the state.

Despite his criticism of the former governor, Musa said he did not regard El-Rufai as an enemy, describing him instead as “misguided.”

Reacting to the controversy, Bobai argued that Musa’s comments should be understood as part of public discourse and should not be interpreted as an official military position or directive.

“We must distinguish between an official directive and a political opinion. General Musa did not issue a military order, announce a defence policy or instruct the Armed Forces to support any political party.

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“He participated in a public conversation and expressed his assessment of the political environment,” Bobai said.

The aide acknowledged the responsibilities attached to Musa’s position as Minister of Defence, but argued that holding a senior public office does not prevent an official from participating in discussions on issues of national importance.

He urged those who disagreed with Musa’s assessment to focus on the substance of his claims and provide evidence to counter them.

“Challenge General Musa’s facts if you disagree with them. Produce evidence. Correct him where necessary. But don’t replace argument with insults,” Bobai said.

Bobai also highlighted Musa’s military career, noting that he served in several command positions before becoming Chief of Defence Staff and later Minister of Defence.

“This is a man whose professional life was built around the Nigerian flag before any political party became relevant to his present position,” he said.

The governor’s aide further urged journalists, political commentators and other stakeholders to examine the public record when assessing the claims made during the interview.

He specifically called for scrutiny of El-Rufai’s speeches, interviews and public statements, alongside Musa’s comments, saying the issues raised had been subjects of public debate in Kaduna for several years.

Bobai also cautioned media organisations against presenting allegations or disputed political claims as established facts without supporting evidence or an authoritative finding.

The controversy followed Musa’s remarks about the political and security situation in Kaduna under El-Rufai, who governed the state between 2015 and 2023.

Musa alleged that Kaduna became deeply divided during the former governor’s tenure and referred to tensions between northern and southern parts of the state.

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He also claimed that some residents of Southern Kaduna faced insecurity and restrictions during the period, while others moved away from certain areas because of the tension.

The minister maintained that his comments were not driven by his Kaduna background but by his concern about national unity and the need for political leaders to bring Nigerians together.

Musa also called for political leadership that would reduce ethnic and religious divisions rather than exploit them for political advantage.

However, some of the claims made during the interview remain allegations and should not be treated as established facts without supporting evidence or findings from relevant authorities.

Bobai said defending the Defence Minister did not require attacking those who disagreed with him, stressing that evidence should form the basis of any response.

“Defending General Musa does not require attacking his critics. Our strongest defence is evidence, his record of service and the truth,” he said.

The intervention by Uba Sani’s aide comes as political debate intensifies around the legacy of the former Kaduna governor and the direction of the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Bobai called for continued public debate on contentious issues affecting Kaduna State and Nigeria, but urged political actors, journalists and members of the public to engage one another through evidence-based arguments, responsible journalism and respect for the rule of law.

Uba Sani’s aide defends Musa, urges critics to respond with facts