THE Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has called for serious scrutiny of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai’s claims that the Federal Government is providing financial support to bandits.
Speaking in an interview today, Baba-Ahmed emphasized that the allegations should not be treated lightly.
“If the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) treats this statement with levity, then Nuhu Ribadu is not qualified for that office. He is neither a proper lawyer nor a policeman,” Baba-Ahmed said, dismissing the NSA’s rebuttal of El-Rufai’s claims.
When asked what steps he would take if he were in Ribadu’s position, Baba-Ahmed suggested that El-Rufai should formally report the matter to the police or the courts.
On Sunday, El-Rufai alleged that the Federal Government pays a “monthly allowance” and provides food to bandits under what he described as a “kiss-the-bandits” policy.
He criticized the approach as empowering criminals rather than holding them accountable, claiming it is a national policy driven by the NSA and implemented in Kaduna State.
Despite these allegations, NSA Nuhu Ribadu has denied the claims, calling them baseless.
Baba-Ahmed, however, downplayed the denial, stressing the seriousness of the statement.
“A national policy represents the official position of the government, declared publicly and implemented constitutionally and legally. Was such a policy publicly announced? Why did Nasir make this claim?” he questioned.
Baba-Ahmed’s comments underscore his view that the Federal Government must investigate El-Rufai’s allegations rather than dismiss them, given their potential implications for national security and governance.