Yusuf Musa | Abuja, Nigeria
The long-running feud between Professor Chidi Odinkalu and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has become one of Nigeria's most visible battles between two influential public figures. Over the years, Odinkalu has accused El-Rufai of intolerance toward critics, abuse of state power, and disregard for civil liberties, while El-Rufai and his supporters have accused Odinkalu of spreading falsehoods and engaging in smear campaigns. Their exchanges have frequently ended in lawsuits, public rebuttals, and bitter media wars.
A significant portion of the accusations traded between both men remains contested. For instance, El-Rufai filed defamation suits against Odinkalu over publications and statements he considered damaging to his reputation. The lawsuits themselves demonstrate that the claims were disputed rather than established facts.
However, if Odinkalu wishes to occupy the moral high ground in public discourse, it is legitimate to ask whether his own public record is entirely free from controversy. The old saying remains relevant: people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
Odinkalu's Public Controversies
As Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) between 2011 and 2015, Odinkalu earned praise for his activism and outspoken defence of human rights. Yet his tenure and public engagements were not without criticism.
First, critics have often accused him of adopting a highly partisan tone in political debates. Rather than limiting himself to human-rights advocacy, Odinkalu frequently enters political controversies with strong and sometimes provocative language. This has earned him admirers who see courage and independence, but also critics who argue that he sometimes blurs the line between objective analysis and political activism.
Second, some of his public statements have generated legal disputes. The Kaduna State Government charged him in 2019 over comments relating to casualties in Kajuru violence, alleging that he spread false information. Odinkalu rejected the allegations and presented himself as a victim of political persecution. Regardless of one's position, the episode demonstrates that his interventions have not been immune from controversy.
Third, opponents have accused him of relying on strong allegations that are difficult to verify independently. Supporters view this as fearless truth-telling; detractors see it as recklessness. The disagreement illustrates the broader challenge facing public commentators in Nigeria: balancing advocacy with evidentiary rigour.
The Glass House Argument
The issue is not whether El-Rufai is beyond criticism. Public officials must be scrutinised and held accountable. Odinkalu himself has consistently argued that leaders should answer for their actions.
Yet accountability must apply equally to critics. A public intellectual who routinely demands transparency from others should also be prepared to defend his own record, methods, and statements. Moral authority is strongest when it is accompanied by self-examination.
In the final analysis, the Odinkalu-El-Rufai rivalry offers a lesson for Nigerian public life. Neither political office nor activist credentials should place anyone above scrutiny. The credibility of criticism depends not only on the faults of the target but also on the integrity and consistency of the critic. When public figures become accustomed to throwing stones, they should remember that their own houses may also be made of glass.
July 16, 2026 (152 Days)
Abuja Network News
Tags
Opinion