The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic human rights organization, has urged the Nigerian Senate to disclose the specific security concerns outlined in the report that led to the rejection of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s ministerial nomination. The former governor of Kaduna State faced denial of clearance by the Senate on August 5, 2023, based on a security report that has yet to be made public.
“Professor Ishaq Akintola, Executive Director of MURIC, issued the statement on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, addressing the issue. The organization expressed concern over the lack of transparency in El-Rufai’s case compared to other ministerial nominees whose clearances were also delayed for various reasons. MURIC highlighted the absence of clarity on El-Rufai’s alleged offense and the denial of his opportunity to defend himself”.
“According to MURIC, the opaqueness surrounding the security report contradicts the core principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability. The organization argued that keeping such vital information concealed from the public undermines the very essence of representative government. MURIC insisted that the Senate needs to disclose the exact security breaches identified in the report that resulted in the denial of clearance for the former governor”.
“The call for transparency resonates with democratic values, emphasizing the importance of openness in governance. As MURIC urges the Senate to unveil the details of the security report, the fate of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s ministerial nomination remains shrouded in uncertainty, highlighting the need for accountability and fairness in the political process”.