El-Rufai Claims Current Government Fears His Return to Nigeria
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has declared that influential figures within Nigeria's current administration are deeply uneasy about his impending return to the country. In a revealing interview broadcast on BBC Hausa, El-Rufai asserted that opposition efforts to challenge and potentially unseat the government have only just entered their initial phase.
Public Opposition from the Outset
El-Rufai emphasized that he publicly opposed the current government from its earliest days, stating he made his position abundantly clear without any restraint. "When that government came, I was among the few people who came out and told her we would oppose it and remove it. There was nothing I did not say," he stated during the interview, highlighting his longstanding critical stance.
Rejecting Allegations and Welcoming Scrutiny
The former governor firmly rejected suggestions that he faces unresolved allegations of wrongdoing. He argued that any credible case against him would have been concluded long ago. "If they had anything against me like they claim to have against others, the matter would have long been settled. But even if you want to accuse me, make sure you prove the accusation. I am waiting; whoever invites me, I will go," El-Rufai declared, challenging his critics to present concrete evidence.
Political Differences, Not Personal Feuds
El-Rufai explained that his break with the administration stemmed from fundamental differences in political objectives rather than personal grievances. "Our objectives are what differ, because when I stood with this government or when I stood with the party, what we are seeing now is not what we saw then. They have changed," he said. He added that political partners should part ways peacefully when their visions no longer align.
Clarifying Relationships with Tinubu and Uba Sani
Addressing widespread speculation about his relationship with President Bola Tinubu, El-Rufai stated there was no personal dispute between them. "I have no problem with Tinubu because we have never had any dealings together. Tinubu is not my person; we have never done politics together," he clarified, noting their paths only crossed within the All Progressives Congress during Muhammadu Buhari's rise to power.
Regarding Kaduna State politics, El-Rufai described Governor Uba Sani as his political protégé and denied any personal rift. "As for Uba Sani, he is my political son... We are not at odds; it is only our objectives that differ," he explained.
Call for Opposition Unity Against National Hardship
El-Rufai argued that political disagreements should not become personal conflicts and emphasized that reconciliation is common in politics. He urged Nigerians to focus their energies on alleviating the severe hardship, oppression, and unemployment plaguing the nation.
"In the past, we opposed some members of the coalition, but now we must come together, forgive one another, and save this country," he stated, acknowledging past opposition to elements of an emerging coalition while stressing the current necessity for unity.
Future Political Plans and Return to Nigeria
While El-Rufai said he has no immediate plans to seek elective office, he left his future political involvement open-ended. He pledged to play a significant role in efforts to remove the government he once helped bring to power, claiming that attempts to hinder his return at Nigerian airports would prove futile.
"As I return home some people will not be able to sleep... They prefer that I stay abroad and not return," he said, adding that political struggle energizes him and that his presence in Nigeria would significantly unsettle certain powerful figures within the current administration.
Earlier reports from opposition sources confirmed that El-Rufai is not contesting any elective position in the 2027 elections but is instead focused on mobilizing against President Tinubu's potential second-term agenda. According to these sources, the former Kaduna governor's primary objective is to ensure Tinubu and his associates do not retain power beyond the current term.
