Our Reporter, Abuja
Fresh controversy has trailed the unresolved disappearance of Abubakar “Dadiyata” Idris after former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, allegedly accused former Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, of complicity in the activist’s disappearance — an allegation Ganduje has denied.
Reacting to the development, U.S.-based Nigerian academic and columnist, Farooq Kperogi, said Ganduje’s response was “a (tepid) denial” and argued that the exchange has reopened critical questions about the case.
“While Ganduje may indeed have had strong political incentives to view Dadiyata as a threat,” Kperogi wrote, “El-Rufai’s suggestion that Dadiyata was not a fierce critic of his does not square with the public record.”
Dadiyata, a vocal social media commentator who disappeared in 2019, was widely associated with the Kwankwasiyya political movement. However, Kperogi stressed that the missing activist did not limit his criticism to Ganduje.
“From my recollections, Dadiyata’s Twitter commentary frequently targeted El-Rufai,” he said, countering any impression that the former Kaduna governor was spared in the activist’s posts.
Kperogi also drew attention to a December 2019 tweet by Bashir El-Rufai, son of the former governor, who had mocked both Dadiyata’s disappearance and the online campaign demanding his return, stating: “Dangerous lies in the public space have consequences.”
“That’s no proof that El-Rufai was guilty of disappearing Dadiyata,” Kperogi noted, “but given El-Rufai’s close relationship with his children, Bashir’s tweet is at least circumstantial evidence of El-Rufai’s knowledge of and unease with Dadiyata’s biting commentaries.”
Beyond the current exchange of allegations, Kperogi referenced documented cases of alleged intolerance toward critics during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor. Citing the 2019 Human Rights Report by the United States Department of State, he noted that nine Southern Kaduna community elders were detained “by order of Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai” in retaliation for criticizing him.
He also listed several individuals — including journalist Jacob Onjewu Dickson; lecturer, Dr. John Danfulani; music executive, Audu Maikori; journalist, Luka Binniyat; activist Stephen Kefas; and Islamic scholar, Bello Yabo — who were allegedly arrested or prosecuted during El-Rufai’s administration.
On Ganduje, Kperogi said he identified “at least five identifiable people who were arrested, detained, remanded, or taken to court for criticizing him,” naming Mu’azu Magaji, Abdulmajid Danbilki Kwamanda, TikTok satirists Mubarak Muhammad and Nazifi Isa Muhammad, and publisher Jaafar Jaafar.
“Given their records of intolerance to criticism,” Kperogi wrote, “the best I can surmise is that El-Rufai and Ganduje found common cause in silencing Dadiyata since he was severely critical of both of them.”
However, he acknowledged that he had no direct evidence of collaboration, stating, “I won’t be shocked if it later emerges that they collaborated to achieve this.”
Kperogi further revealed that El-Rufai had alluded to information from an unnamed police officer who allegedly said Dadiyata’s arrest was ordered from Kano. He described this as “a solid, potentially helpful investigatory lead.”
“Law enforcement authorities should, without delay, invite El-Rufai to disclose the identity of the police officer under conditions that allow independent verification,” he urged.
“Ganduje’s disclaimer is not enough. He should also be questioned.”
He concluded by warning against politicising the matter: “The disappearance of a citizen over expressed opinions is too grave to be reduced to political theater or media spectacle.”
Dadiyata’s disappearance in 2019 continues to draw public concern, with civil society groups and supporters demanding clarity on his whereabouts and accountability for any wrongdoing.
