By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Democracy Watch Initiative (DWI) has called on the Federal Government to investigate and prosecute alleged human rights violations committed during the administration of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who served from 2015 to 2023.
In a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communication, Dr. Tunji Bamidele, the group alleged that El-Rufai’s tenure was marked by violence, oppression, and disregard for civil liberties, despite efforts at infrastructure and governance reforms.
DWI highlighted incidents including the 2015 Zaria Shiite killings, the 2019 Kajuru massacre, and the demolition of properties linked to political opponents as evidence of what it described as governance driven by power rather than protection of fundamental rights.
The group also cited the demolition of Kasuwan Barci traders’ shops, the arrest of journalist Jacob Onjewu, and the abduction of activist Abubakar Idris (popularly known as Dadiyata) as examples of intolerance for dissent and free expression.
According to the group, El-Rufai’s administration deepened ethnic and religious divisions, failed to address the root causes of conflict, and eroded judicial authority. It warned that such governance patterns threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability.
The Democracy Watch Initiative further called on international human rights organizations to support accountability efforts and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant as the country approaches future elections.
