Uba Sani’s Aide Defends Musa Over El-Rufai Remarks

By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna

The Senior Special Adviser to the Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani on Public Affairs, Victor Mathew Bobai, has defended Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), against criticism over his recent remarks concerning former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

Bobai described attempts to portray Musa’s comments during a Channels Television interview as a personal or politically motivated attack on El-Rufai as unfair, urging Nigerians to focus on the substance of the minister’s claims and subject them to facts and evidence.

Musa had, during the interview, accused El-Rufai of actions that he said deepened divisions in Kaduna State, alleging that the former governor’s administration created an environment in which residents from Southern Kaduna and other parts of the state became divided. He also said people in Southern Kaduna remained aggrieved over killings recorded during the period, while crediting Uba Sani with making deliberate efforts to rebuild unity. Musa, however, said he did not regard El-Rufai as an enemy, describing him instead as “misguided.”

Reacting in a statement, Bobai said the minister’s position should be assessed within the context of democratic participation and national discourse, rather than assumptions about his political motives.

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

Bobai acknowledged the institutional responsibility attached to Musa’s office but argued that it should not prevent public officials from participating in legitimate discussions on national issues.

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

The governor’s aide said Musa’s decades of military service should also be considered in assessing his recent comments, noting that he served in several critical command positions before becoming Chief of Defence Staff and subsequently 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,” Bobai said.

On the claims concerning El-Rufai, Bobai urged journalists and commentators to examine the former governor’s own speeches, interviews and public statements alongside Musa’s assertions.

He said the issues raised by the minister were not entirely new and had featured in Kaduna’s public discourse for years, urging the media to rely on original recordings and full context rather than edited clips or partisan interpretations.

Bobai also cautioned against confusing Musa’s political opinions with military authority, stressing that the Armed Forces remained institutions of the Federal Republic and not instruments of any individual.

He further warned against presenting serious allegations as established facts without credible investigation or judicial pronouncement.

The governor’s aide urged both supporters and critics of Musa to engage in evidence-based debate, saying the strongest defence of the minister should be his record of service and the facts surrounding his claims.

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

Bobai maintained that Nigeria needed experienced public officials who could speak frankly on difficult national issues while respecting democratic institutions and the rule of law.