Former 1 Division GOC urges serving and retired military generals to avoid partisan political disputes, challenges Defence Minister to provide evidence for allegations against El-Rufai
ABUJA — Retired Nigerian Army Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi, a former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, has criticised Defence Minister Christopher Gwabin Musa over comments concerning former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Ali-Keffi urged serving and retired military generals to stay away from partisan political disputes, stressing that senior military officers should be careful about how they comment on political issues because of the influence attached to their positions.
The retired general made the remarks while reacting to allegations concerning El-Rufai and the former governor’s handling of insecurity during his tenure in Kaduna State.
Ali-Keffi Challenges Banditry Claims
Ali-Keffi also challenged the Defence Minister to provide evidence for allegations that El-Rufai paid or negotiated with bandits.
According to the former GOC, his experience while commanding 1 Division did not support claims that El-Rufai prevented the military from conducting operations against criminal elements in Kaduna State.
Ali-Keffi maintained that El-Rufai provided intelligence that assisted security operations and did not stop the military from carrying out its responsibilities.
‘Leave Politics To Politicians’
The retired general further advised military officers, particularly generals, to avoid becoming involved in political controversies.
He argued that senior military officers carry considerable influence and that their public statements could be interpreted as reflecting the position of the military establishment.
Ali-Keffi said generals should therefore protect the professionalism and reputation of the armed forces by leaving partisan political matters to politicians.
Controversy Over El-Rufai’s Security Record
The dispute comes amid renewed debate over El-Rufai’s approach to insecurity during his time as Kaduna State governor.
Ali-Keffi questioned some of the recent claims against the former governor, arguing that they should be backed by verifiable evidence.
He described the controversy as political and maintained that allegations concerning El-Rufai’s dealings with bandits should not be made without supporting facts.
The disagreement has added to the ongoing public debate over Nigeria’s security challenges, the role of political leaders in tackling banditry and the extent to which serving and retired military officers should participate in political discussions.
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