Ganduje calls for probe of El-Rufai’s claims on Dadiyata’s disappearance
Former Governor of Kano state, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has firmly rejected allegations by his former Kaduna state counterpart, Nasir El-Rufai, linking him to the disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known
Former Governor of Kano state, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has firmly 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, the former APC national chairman described the allegation as reckless, unfounded and a clear attempt to shift responsibility for an incident that occurred entirely within Kaduna State.
Ganduje spoke in a statement by his Chief of Staff and former Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs Comrade Muhammad Garba.
Ganduje emphasised that Dadiyata lived and operated in Kaduna, where he was widely known for directing his criticisms at the Kaduna state government.
According to Dr. Ganduje, “There is no credible record suggesting that the activist’s primary focus was the Kano state government or Dr. Ganduje.”
“Everyone in Kaduna knew the nature of the criticism he made and who it was directed at.
“Responsibility for security in Kaduna at the time rested with the state government and the relevant federal security agencies operating there,” he noted.
The statement called for careful scrutiny of El-Rufai’s recent remarks, stressing that such serious allegations must be supported by verifiable evidence rather than political rhetoric.
“Dragging Ganduje into the matter without proof, not only politicizes a painful and unresolved episode but also risks further confusing for the public over an already sensitive case,” the statement said.
It added that contrasting the political climates of both states during the period in question, “Ganduje’s two-term administration in Kano was marked by tolerance for criticism, open media engagement and acceptance of opposition voices.”
“Unlike many political leaders who maintained strained relationships with the media, we allowed scrutiny, accommodated critical voices and even learned from dissenting perspectives.”
The statement added that there was no record of arrests, intimidation or harassment of journalists or critics in Kano during Ganduje’s tenure.
It further observed that public discourse surrounding Dadiyata’s disappearance has, over the years, centered largely on events within Kaduna state and noted further that former Senator Shehu Sani had openly remarked that many individuals within the state were reluctant to speak publicly about the case, while commentator Reno Omokri previously raised allegations questioning how the matter was handled at the time.
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Ganduje also expressed concern over El-Rufai’s claim that a police officer allegedly confessed to being sent from Kano to abduct Dadiyata. He questioned why such grave information, if credible, was not formally disclosed to investigative authorities or 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.
While reiterating sympathy for Dadiyata’s family, Ganduje stressed that the priority should remain on uncovering the truth through lawful and transparent investigative processes.
“The family deserves closure. What the family does not deserve is for this tragic matter to become an instrument of political blame-shifting,” he said.
Ganduje urged anyone with credible information regarding the abduction to present it to the appropriate authorities, emphasising that “accountability must rest on facts and due process, not speculation.”
