Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai accused the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) of mishandling the country’s counter-insecurity efforts and attempting to silence criticism by labelling dissenters as unpatriotic.

El-Rufai criticised what he called a misguided “non-kinetic” approach to insecurity, claiming that officials are paying and feeding bandits instead of confronting them directly.

In response, ONSA dismissed the accusations as “baseless and false”, urging el-Rufai to refrain from politicising national security and stressing that combating banditry must remain a collective endeavour, not a tool for partisan score-settling.

In a follow-up statement, el-Rufai insisted that calls for accountability should never be conflated with the politicisation of security.

“It is a well-known fact to discerning Nigerians that the face of the politicisation of national security for politically intended purposes resides, for the first time in our recent history, in the ONSA under its present leadership.”

He urged ONSA to subject its tactics to scrutiny:

“If the ONSA thinks Nigerians are not following its unclear and incompetent management of terrorism and banditry in Northern Nigeria and beyond… then it is high time it carried out an in-depth evaluation and review of its actions.”

El-Rufai also cited tangible evidence, such as video and audio recordings from traditional and religious leaders, showing that communities have condemned alleged payments to bandits.

He further criticised ONSA for favouring protocol and media image over effective security operations, notably censuring the public display of supposedly “rescued” victims—claiming many of those rescued had paid ransom prior to media coverage.

“In the megalomania of the National Security Adviser, every attempt to hold him accountable is politicisation of security, every perceived enemy of his is a security risk, and every critic of a purportedly democratic government is unpatriotic. What a shame!”

El-Rufai accused the Kaduna State government of suppressing reports on security threats by stifling local media outlets—citing his own administration’s practice of publishing quarterly and annual security reports as a model of transparency.

He called on both ONSA and the Kaduna government to publicly disclose the locations and operational details of the disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration programs for purported “repentant” bandits.

The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has asserted that welcoming Peter Obi back into the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would spell disaster for the party.

During a media session in Abuja, Wike noted that key PDP figures like Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed and Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro have been engaged in discussions with both Obi and former President Goodluck Jonathan regarding a potential return to the party.

Obi officially left the PDP days before its 2023 presidential primary and later joined the Labour Party—a move that positioned him as its presidential candidate that year.

Wike said Obi’s character disqualified him from returning, citing past insults against the party: “Obi was abusing the party, saying it is rotten. So now the party is suddenly good enough for him to come and contest on its platform?”

He continued, criticizing the idea as incompatible with the party’s integrity: “That kind of ambition can make people even go to Satan’s house.”

Wike warned that the party stands to lose credibility and its guiding principles if Obi is welcomed back. “Anybody suggesting that Obi should return is entitled to their opinion. But if you want to destroy this party, then bring Obi back,” he declared.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged former President Goodluck Jonathan against returning to the 2027 presidential race, saying he should continue to serve Nigeria as a respected statesman instead.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, Wike noted persistent rumours that Jonathan might vie for the presidency again on the PDP platform, though the ex-president has not publicly addressed the speculation.

“I know Jonathan very well. He enjoys being respected internationally as a statesman and I believe he will continue in that role,” Wike remarked.

He sharply criticised those encouraging Jonathan’s return, arguing they are the very figures who undermined him during the 2015 election.

“People pushing Jonathan — what strength do they have? Were they not the same people who worked against him in 2015?” he queried.