The Shiite Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has vehemently rejected the White Paper released on December 5 by the Kaduna State Government, accusing Governor Nasir El-Rufai of being a threat to national security, peace and stability.

The Kaduna State Government had while releasing the report of its Judicial Commission of Inquiry into what it called clashes between IMN and the Nigerian Army between December 12 and 14, 2015, declared IMN an insurgent group.

Addressing journalists in Kaduna on Thursday, Sheikh Abdulhamid Bello of Shuhada Foundation, a wing of the IMN, said the IMN is convinced that Governor El-Rufai is bent on “creating an atmosphere of fear, anxiety and violence in the state for reasons that are unclear through his messianic approach to governance.”

“It is clear to us that the Governor of Kaduna State is a threat to national security and the peace and stability of Kaduna State and Nigeria,” he said.

Bello said that IMN has rejected the White Paper released by Kaduna State Government, describing it as a belated, malicious response to the recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

“This is to give retroactive justifications against its hostile actions against IMN since 12th December, 2015,” he said.

He noted that “the presiding Judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawade ordered the release of our leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, within a period of 45 days from the date of judgment, the building of a new house for him and his family and payment of N50 million compensation for the unconditional release and illegal detention of his wife and self since 14th December, 2015.”

“It is clear to us that El-Rufai is angry that the said court did not order the indefinite detention of Zazkay and his wife,” Bello said, adding: “It is also clear that El-Rufai is angry that the commission did not strictly follow the script given to them by returning completely the pre-determined conclusion and verdict.

•Photo shows Governor El-Rufai.

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