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Aformer Kano State governor and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has strongly rejected claims by former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai linking him to the disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.
In a statement signed by Comrade Muhammad Garba, former Commissioner for Information in Kano, the allegations were described as “reckless, unfounded, and a clear attempt to shift responsibility for an incident that occurred in Kaduna State.”
The statement emphasised that Dadiyata “lived and operated in Kaduna, where his criticisms were directed, and security responsibility at the time rested with the Kaduna State government and federal agencies.”
Garba questioned why any alleged confession implicating Kano was never formally presented to security authorities, insisting that “serious accusations must be backed by verifiable evidence — not political rhetoric.”
He noted that linking the former Kano State Governor to events that occurred outside the state was both misleading and politically motivated.
He urged all parties to focus on ensuring that investigations into Dadiyata’s disappearance are conducted lawfully and transparently.
“The attention should remain on due process and justice for Dadiyata’s family, rather than politicising a painful and unresolved matter,” Garba added.
The statement reflects growing tension between former governors over accountability for sensitive incidents.
While El-Rufai’s allegations have attracted public attention, Ganduje’s office insists that assigning blame without proper investigation undermines both legal and ethical standards.
Garba warned that public discourse on such issues must be grounded in facts, evidence, and formal procedures.
“Accountability must be based on facts and due process, not speculation,” he reiterated, stressing the need for political leaders to exercise restraint in public statements on unresolved cases.
The controversy surrounding Dadiyata, a vocal critic who went missing under mysterious circumstances, has continued to generate public debate.
Ganduje’s rejection of the allegations comes amid calls for clarity and transparency from the authorities in Kaduna State and federal security agencies.
On Friday, SaharaReporters reported that El-Rufai alleged that Ganduje was responsible for the abduction of an activist, Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata since 2019.
El-Rufai made the statement during an interview on Arise News Prime Time on Friday, where he addressed questions regarding the activist’s disappearance and clarified that Kaduna State authorities were not involved.
Dadiyata was abducted on August 2, 2019, from his Kaduna residence by unidentified gunmen.
The case drew attention from civil society organisations and members of the public, and police investigations were conducted at the time.
His current whereabouts remain unknown.
El-Rufai said that Dadiyata’s criticism was directed at the Kano government.
He said, “He (Dadiyata) is a critic of the Kano government, it was Ganduje that was his problem, go and check his timeline, I don’t even know him.”
He explained that Kaduna State authorities only became aware of the activist after the family reported the abduction to the police.
“We only got a report of Dadiyata’s existence after his family reported to the police that he was abducted.”
El-Rufai said that Dadiyata’s criticism was directed at the Kano government.
He said, “He (Dadiyata) is a critic of the Kano government, it was Ganduje that was his problem, go and check his timeline, I don’t even know him.”
He explained that Kaduna State authorities only became aware of the activist after the family reported the abduction to the police.
“We only got a report of Dadiyata’s existence after his family reported to the police that he was abducted.”
