The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Southern Kaduna have called for restraint and peaceful dialogue following a defamation dispute between former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa.
The appeal came as El-Rufai demanded N10 billion in compensation from Musa over alleged defamatory statements made during a Channels Television programme on September 3, 2026.
El-Rufai’s lawyers, in a letter before action dated September 7, demanded a public retraction and apology from the minister, alongside the N10bn compensation. They also threatened legal action if Musa failed to respond within seven days.
The lawyers disputed allegations attributed to Musa concerning El-Rufai’s alleged involvement in killings, payment of bandits and demolition of properties, describing the claims as false and defamatory. They demanded that the minister provide evidence supporting the allegations or retract them.
Musa’s comments were made while discussing insecurity in Kaduna State and events during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor.
Amid the escalating dispute, Muslim and Christian leaders in Southern Kaduna held a joint peace meeting in Kafanchan, urging residents not to allow the controversy to deepen religious or ethnic tensions.
The religious leaders called for responsible public discourse and cautioned against inflammatory social media commentary, stressing the need to preserve peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the region.
The dispute has also attracted competing reactions, with some groups backing Musa and others challenging his allegations.
The legal matter remains unresolved, with El-Rufai’s lawyers awaiting Musa’s response to their demands. Any further action will depend on whether the parties reach an agreement or proceed to court.