Labour Party vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has called for former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai to be questioned over his claim that the Federal Government pays allowances to bandits.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Baba-Ahmed criticised the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) for dismissing El-Rufai’s comments.

“If the so-called Office of the NSA would take this statement with levity, then Nuhu Ribadu was never a policeman, not a qualified lawyer, and should not be in that office,” he said.

He added: “Nasir should be writing statements to the police and to the courts.”

On Sunday, El-Rufai alleged that both the Federal Government and Kaduna State were paying monthly stipends to bandits and supplying them with food under a “non-kinetic” approach. He labelled the move a “kiss-the-bandits” policy.

While the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Kaduna Government have denied the claims, Baba-Ahmed insisted the rebuttal lacked weight.

“A national policy is an official declaration of government intent, made public and celebrated. Was such a policy ever announced? Why then did Nasir say it?” he asked.