In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, the government vowed to take decisive action against El-Rufai and his supporters if they continue what it described as deliberate attempts to incite violence and plunge Kaduna back into chaos.

According to the statement, the government alleges that El-Rufai, now a senator representing Kaduna Central, has been mobilizing his political base to sow discord after candidates backed by his camp within the All Progressives Congress (APC) suffered significant losses in the recent by-elections. 

The polls, which filled vacant local government seats, saw Governor Uba Sani’s faction consolidate control, deepening the rift between the incumbent and his predecessor.

“The Kaduna State Government will not stand idly by while individuals, no matter how influential, attempt to drag our state back to the dark days of violence and division,” the statement read. 

It accused El-Rufai of using inflammatory rhetoric through proxies and social media to undermine the administration’s efforts to maintain peace. 

The government pointed to Kaduna’s history of ethnic and religious conflicts, including deadly clashes during El-Rufai’s tenure from 2015 to 2023, as a reminder of the stakes involved.

Kaduna remains a hotspot for insecurity, grappling with banditry, kidnappings, and communal tensions, particularly in its southern and rural regions. 

The Sani administration has prioritized security reforms and community reconciliation programs, claiming progress in stabilizing the state. 

The government warned that any actions threatening this fragile peace would face legal consequences, citing provisions in the Nigerian Penal Code against incitement to public disorder.

El-Rufai has not publicly responded to the allegations, but sources close to him dismissed the accusations as a politically motivated attempt to discredit the former governor ahead of the 2027 elections. 

They argue that El-Rufai’s criticisms of the Sani administration, particularly over financial management and rising state debt, are legitimate exercises of his role as a senator and a concerned citizen.

Political observers note that the public spat reflects a broader power struggle within the APC in Kaduna, with El-Rufai and Sani vying for influence. 

The by-election losses have reportedly weakened El-Rufai’s grip on local politics, prompting what the government calls “desperate moves” to regain relevance.

Civil society groups have urged both sides to de-escalate, warning that such high-stakes rhetoric could inflame tensions in a state already burdened by insecurity. 

The Kaduna State Government reiterated its commitment to peace, stating, “We will not allow anyone, including El-Rufai and his supporters, to return Kaduna to chaos. The law will take its course if these provocations persist.”