Commentator defends El-Rufai, criticises opponents over Dadiyata allegations
By KEMI KASUMU
The commentator further alleged that some critics were attempting to distract public attention from issues raised during a recent town hall engagement involving El-Rufai by focusing instead on peripheral matters.
A political commentator, Uche Diala, has strongly criticised individuals he described as “hypocrites and mischief merchants” following an alleged failed attempt to abduct former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport upon his return from Cairo, Egypt on Thursday February 12, 2026.
In a statement posted on his Facebook social media page, Diala accused critics of reviving long-standing allegations surrounding the disappearance of activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Abubakar Idris Dadiyata, in what he described as an attempt to justify or rationalise actions taken against El-Rufai.
Diala claimed that assertions linking El-Rufai to Dadiyata’s disappearance had been “summarily shot down,” alleging that those promoting the narrative had gone silent following recent developments. He did not provide details of the developments referenced.
The commentator further alleged that some critics were attempting to distract public attention from issues raised during a recent town hall engagement involving El-Rufai by focusing instead on peripheral matters.
“My heart goes out to the Dadiyata family,” Diala wrote, expressing hope that they would find answers and closure regarding the activist’s disappearance.
Dadiyata, a vocal government critic, was declared missing in 2019. His disappearance has remained a subject of public concern and controversy, with calls from civil society groups for a thorough investigation.
In his words, Uche Diala said, “For days now, especially since yesterday after the failed attempt to abduct El-Rufai, they have been hypocritically and mischievously dancing all over the place, including on my wall, dropping Dadiyata’s name.
“Tonight, that wicked lie that they have flown for years and which they tried to use to rationalise the shameful act against El-Rufai yesterday, has been summarily shot down, they have gone mute on that.
“It is for those who do not know them. I know them like the back of my hands. They are a bunch of mischievous and soul-less hypocrites. They can dance on the blood and grave of anyone in pursuit of their evil agenda.
“Meanwhile, they recharged their data, and some bought petrol for their generators, because there is no electricity, just to watch and listen to the man they call an “inconsequential blogger”; something they do not do even when the President is addressing the nation, because a town hall is different from a balablu, and all their shamelessness can allow them to talk about is a passing comment about phone tapping.
“In their minds, they think that they can use that to distract from the weighty issues raised and revealed in the interview. Only their ilks would be distracted.
“Na people wey even get time for people whose brains have long since stopped functioning optimally. A bunch of people who have sold their souls to the devil.
“Well, Mallam has given them another assignment. Let them keep struggling with it for the next couple of weeks before another assignment drops.
“A lie might travel as far as a thousand miles and fly as high as a thousand feet, but just one salvo of truth shot at it will deflate it and make it fall to the ground yakata.
“My happiness is that we will each get the reward for our deeds, either here or in the hereafter,” he said.
As at press time, authorities have not announced any new findings regarding Dadiyata’s case, and no official statement has been issued concerning the alleged attempted abduction of El-Rufai.
The latest exchange underscores ongoing political tensions and the persistence of unresolved questions surrounding high-profile cases in Nigeria.
