Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has accused former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai of demolishing thousands of homes and orphanages during his time in public office, including actions allegedly carried out despite existing court orders.
In a lengthy commentary titled “More Questions for Nasir El-Rufai,” Fani-Kayode claimed that El-Rufai oversaw the demolition of about 2,000 homes and buildings in Abuja while serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration. He also alleged that more than 12,000 shanties on the outskirts of the capital were destroyed, leaving many poor residents displaced.
According to him, some of the demolitions allegedly took place without compensation and in some cases against court directives.
Fani-Kayode further alleged that orphanages were among the structures affected in both Abuja and Kaduna. He claimed that one of the last demolition actions carried out during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor took place in Zaria, where an orphanage at Fadama Badan Dodo was reportedly demolished shortly before the end of his administration in May 2023.
He said the demolition occurred in the early hours of the morning and claimed it was done without a court order.
Allegations of Further Demolitions
The former minister also referenced demolitions reportedly carried out in Kaduna in the final days of El-Rufai’s administration. These included structures in the Gbagyi Villa community that were reportedly pulled down by the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority.
He said residents claimed some of the buildings were legitimate homes and that the demolitions occurred despite ongoing legal disputes.
Fani-Kayode also mentioned structures linked to the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, including schools and a hospital, which were demolished in areas such as Kawo, Rigasa and Tudun Wada during the same period.
Religious and Political Accusations
In his article, Fani-Kayode also criticised policies introduced during El-Rufai’s time as governor, including restrictions on state-sponsored pilgrimages to Mecca and Jerusalem.
He claimed Christian pilgrims in Kaduna State were unable to participate in state-sponsored trips for over a decade until the policy was reversed in 2026 by current governor Uba Sani.
The former minister also alleged that tensions existed between El-Rufai and several political figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress, including the current National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Security Allegations
Fani-Kayode further raised concerns about claims attributed to El-Rufai that phone conversations of the National Security Adviser had been intercepted. He said the issue raises serious national security questions and called on security agencies to investigate.
He expressed confidence that agencies such as the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Police Force, and the Defence Intelligence Agency would examine the matter thoroughly.
Call for Clarification
Fani-Kayode said the issues raised in his commentary go beyond political rivalry and require clear explanations. He urged El-Rufai to respond to the allegations and clarify the circumstances surrounding the claims.
The former minister concluded that the situation has become a major national concern and called for transparency to ensure public confidence in Nigeria’s security and political institutions.
