The Democracy Watch Initiative (DWI) says recent controversies surrounding former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, have vindicated ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s long-held assessment of his character.
In a statement on Tuesday, the group’s Director of Strategic Communication, Dr Tunji Bamidele, said Obasanjo’s earlier description of El-Rufai as a “purveyor of untruths and half-truths” now rings true in the light of unfolding events.
According to Bamidele, Nigeria’s political challenges demand leaders of integrity.
He argued that El-Rufai’s recent comments on insecurity in Kaduna State and the wider North-Central region have only deepened public distrust.
The Birnin-Gwari Vanguard for Security and Good Governance dismissed El-Rufai’s claims that financial incentives were given to bandits as part of peace efforts.
The group described his remarks as “lies and half-truths,” saying they undermine peace initiatives that have provided relief to local communities.
Similarly, the North-Central APC Forum accused El-Rufai of spreading propaganda against President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Its chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, said the former governor’s statements were politically motivated and lacked credibility.
“These developments,” Bamidele noted, “confirm Obasanjo’s earlier warnings about El-Rufai’s immaturity, divisive tendencies, and disregard for truth.”
He stressed that public discourse must be rooted in integrity, adding that leaders who peddle misinformation threaten Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
The DWI also urged the media to exercise caution when reporting statements from public figures, warning that unverified claims could fuel disunity and mistrust.
Obasanjo’s past criticism of El-Rufai — calling him “bigoted, un-statesmanlike, and malicious” — was recalled by the group as a reminder of the dangers posed by leaders who exploit public narratives for political gain.
“The former president’s insights,” Bamidele concluded, “should serve as a cautionary tale. Nigeria needs leaders who embody honesty and accountability, not those who thrive on distortion and discord.”
