Fayose Slams El-Rufai: ‘He Turned Kaduna Into A Muslim State

Nigerian businessman Isaac Fayose has expressed strong criticism of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, stating that the treatment El-Rufai is currently facing is justified. According to Ireporter Online, Fayose revealed that he declined to join a protest demanding El-Rufai’s release.

The former governor is under investigation over an alleged ₦432 billion corruption scandal linked to his tenure. Speaking in a Facebook post on Wednesday, Fayose accused El-Rufai of transforming Kaduna State into a “Muslim state” by marginalizing Christian communities. He added that, unlike his predecessors who allowed Christians to hold the deputy governorship, El-Rufai “scattered everything.”

Fayose also confirmed that he would never join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which includes El-Rufai and other opposition leaders. He emphasized his support for Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, stating, “I belong only to the ‘Nigerian Party’ and go for what is good for Nigerians. The only candidate I like is Peter Obi.”

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday refused to entertain El-Rufai’s bail application, describing it as premature and adjourning the matter to April 23, 2026. Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik delivered the ruling, declining the request of El-Rufai’s legal team to present the bail application at Wednesday’s sitting. A lawyer who witnessed the proceedings confirmed that the court deemed the application immature and emphasized that El-Rufai will remain in custody pending formal arraignment.

El-Rufai, who remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), was not present in court. Several ADC chieftains, including Bolaji Abdullahi, were reportedly at the court to observe the proceedings. The latest developments underscore the intensifying legal challenges facing the former governor.