Ex-Canadian Lawmaker Kaycee Madu Accuses Ex-Buhari Aide Bashir Ahmad of Enabling Extremism
Former Canadian lawmaker Kaycee Madu has criticised Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing him of making statements that allegedly support Islamic extremism and terrorism in Nigeria.
Madu, who represented Edmonton–South West in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and once served as Alberta’s Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, condemned what he described as Ahmad’s “consistent excuses” for violent groups operating across northern Nigeria. According to him, organisations such as Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to “terrorise Nigeria, murdering Christians, Muslims, burning churches and wreaking havoc on non-Muslim communities in the Middle Belt.”
His remarks were triggered by an online exchange between Ahmad and an X user who criticised the recent life sentence handed to IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu. Ahmad responded by calling the user an “international terrorist apologist,” prompting Madu’s reaction.
In a lengthy post on X, Madu wrote:
“Whilst not holding brief for anyone, in a sane country governed by the rule of law, justice, equity, fairness, blind to tribalism, someone like you @BashirAhmaad would have been charged for several crimes, including criminal incitement of violence, support of extreme Islamist terrorism and terrorism in general.”
Madu said the North-East remains unstable due to the activities of extremist groups, adding that women, children, and other vulnerable citizens continue to suffer kidnappings, rape, and forced marriages. He also alleged that some political figures have been implicated in the origins and sponsorship of such groups.
Drawing from his experiences as a judicial officer in Borno State, Madu said he had interacted directly with Boko Haram suspects in prisons and courts during his early legal career.
He wrote:
“The founders and sponsors of Boko Haram have been governors, commissioners, ministers, and we even find them in the highest office of the land, the presidency.”
He further expressed affection for the Kanuri people and reiterated his belief in Nigeria’s potential, while also criticising what he described as longstanding injustices and marginalisation in the country.
Madu added that his criticisms were driven by a desire to see Nigeria reach its full potential.
“All I want is for Nigeria to do well!” he said.
Ahmad has repeatedly drawn criticism on social media over past comments relating to insurgency and extremist ideology. In a December 12, 2024 post on X, he described it as an “honour” to be called an Islamic extremist, though he later deleted the tweet following public backlash.
He also sparked controversy in 2015 when he publicly supported the death penalty for blasphemy after an Islamic court in Kano sentenced nine people to death.
