Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has leveled serious accusations against National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, alleging that Ribadu is scheming to replace President Bola Tinubu in 2031 by systematically eliminating perceived political threats.
In a candid interview on Arise News with Charles Aniagolu, El-Rufai claimed that Ribadu orchestrated the corruption charges against him, which were reportedly instigated by the Kaduna State government.
El-Rufai further accused his successor, Uba Sani, of colluding with Ribadu to tarnish his reputation as part of a larger strategy to clear the way for Ribadu’s supposed presidential ambitions.
The former governor also addressed rumors that his exclusion from President Tinubu’s cabinet was due to a security report. El-Rufai vehemently denied this claim, calling it “a lie.” According to him, it was not a security matter, but rather a decision by Tinubu to reject his nomination.
He challenged the existence of any such security report, asking, “What security issue? Where is the report? Has anyone released it?” El-Rufai pointed out that other nominees with controversial backgrounds were approved, which he argued confirmed that the president’s decision was merely a change of mind, not a consequence of any security assessment.
Reflecting on his relationship with Tinubu, El-Rufai revealed that it was the president who had initially persuaded him to accept the nomination for the position of power minister, offering a shared vision of defeating what they described as the “electricity mafia.” However, El-Rufai felt betrayed after being excluded during his Senate screening.
El-Rufai also criticized President Tinubu’s support for food importation, warning that it could undermine local food production and exacerbate Nigeria’s food security challenges.
He expressed frustration with the direction the All Progressives Congress (APC) had taken, saying that the party had “left him.” El-Rufai hinted at the possibility of joining another political platform to continue his pursuit of progressive policies, signaling a shift away from the APC.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, El-Rufai suggested that he may not support President Tinubu due to several unresolved issues.
He described his relationship with Tinubu as distant, stating that they were never close friends. El-Rufai pledged to consult widely before making any political endorsement, emphasizing that his decision in 2027 would be based on a careful assessment of the political landscape.
