A prominent Islamic group, the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation, has labeled former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai as an oppressor who is now playing the victim in trying to curry the favour and sympathy of Nigerians.
The Foundation run by respected Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Alhaji Ibrahim Dahiru Usman, in a statement on Sunday, warned political groups and individuals in the state and across the country against welcoming the former FCT Minister into their fold, stressing that he is “not a victim, but an oppressor.”
The statement signed by Usman who is the Foundation’s Chairman, insists that any party aligning with El-Rufai must acknowledge the harm he allegedly inflicted on innocent lives in Kaduna during his two terms as governor.
Usman recounted various injustices allegedly committed by El-Rufai’s administration including security forces carrying out violent night raids on Tsangaya schools, storming dormitories, assaulting students and staff, and forcibly removing children under dubious pretenses, which the foundation described as acts of intimidation against the Islamic scholar.
“The Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation reminds the general public, the media, and all relevant stakeholders of the grave injustices committed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against our institution, our students, and our revered leader, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi,” the statement said.
“Under El-Rufai’s administration, security forces carried out violent night raids on our Tsangaya schools. They stormed dormitories, brutalized students and staff, and forcibly removed children from their hostels under false pretenses.
“Some of these children remain unaccounted for to this day. Even members of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi’s family were physically attacked in their home, a direct act of intimidation against one of Nigeria’s most respected Islamic scholars.
“These were not isolated incidents but part of a deliberate attempt to humiliate Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and undermine his lifelong work in education and peacebuilding.
“However, despite these provocations, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi chose peace over retaliation, preventing a crisis that could have destabilised the nation,” it said, stressing that their patience should not be mistaken for tolerance of impunity.
The Foundation further issued an ultimatum to El-Rufai, demanding a public apology before the end of this year’s Ramadan.
“Should he fail to do so, we have vowed to pursue legal action to hold him accountable for his alleged abuses of power.
The Foundation also cautioned political groups that have recently embraced El-Rufai, stating that while political platforms are open to all, those who claim to stand for justice must not ignore the history of individuals they welcome.
“However, patience does not mean impunity. El-Rufai must take responsibility for his actions. We, therefore, reaffirm our ultimatum:
“Nasir El-Rufai has until the end of this year’s Ramadan to issue a public apology for his crimes against our foundation, our students, and our leader. Should he fail to do so, we will take legal action to ensure he is held accountable for his abuses of power.
“We also address those who have recently opened their doors to him. While political platforms are open to all, those who claim to stand for justice must not ignore the history of individuals they welcome.
“El-Rufai is not a victim-he is an oppressor. Any group or party that aligns with him must be fully aware of the damage he has inflicted on innocent lives.
“The Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation will not allow these injustices to be forgotten. We stand firm in our commitment to seeking justice, protecting religious institutions, and ensuring that no leader ever uses state power to oppress peaceful scholars and students again,” the Foundation added.