Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate-past Governor of Kaduna State, has raised alarm over an alleged plan by the government to arrest, detain, and torture him, similar to the ordeal of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
The former governor, a prominent figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), claimed that the government intends to detain him in a dungeon within the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
El-Rufai linked this alleged plot to his consistent criticisms of the government, which he said had prompted a sustained campaign of intimidation against him.
El-Rufai made these claims while responding to a post by his supporter, Imran U. Wakili, on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), who had expressed concerns about the rumours of El-Rufai’s possible arrest.
In his response, El-Rufai revealed that he had received similar threats and messages through his friends and family, suggesting that the plot was aimed at forcing him into self-imposed exile.
“I have been hearing these same rumours of arrest, detention, and torture in some dungeon in the NSA’s office (where Emefiele was allegedly tortured to resign as CBN governor) since July 2024 when the so-called report of the Kaduna Assembly began circulating,” El-Rufai said.
He further accused the government of attempting to compromise the judicial process in its efforts to silence him.
The former governor expressed his determination to stay in Nigeria despite the threats, rejecting calls for him to go into exile.
He said, “They have sent such similar messages of intimidation and threats through many of my friends, family, and political associates because they want me to go on self-imposed exile. I will not.”
El-Rufai also revealed that he had postponed his academic and language-learning pursuits in order to remain in Nigeria, stating, “Silence is no longer golden. Inaction has never been an option.”
READ ALSO: El-Rufai responds to arrest rumours amid verbal war with NSA
Addressing the issue of torture, El-Rufai said the arrest and detention of political opponents was not a new phenomenon.
“I have been arrested and detained thrice in the past for expressing my views of previous governments. There is always a morning after the arrest, detention, or torture, and political life continues. As for death, it is when Allah destines it, and it is ultimately the date of every human,” he said.
The ex-governor also confirmed his intention to return to Nigeria by February 20, declaring, “We fear no mortal but Almighty Allah. We always hope for the best but plan for the worst.”
El-Rufai’s allegations come at a time when tensions between him and the Kaduna State government, led by Governor Uba Sani, are escalating.
Several appointees of the former governor’s administration are currently being investigated over allegations of mismanagement, further deepening the political divide.
In recent weeks, El-Rufai has also been outspoken about the state of governance in Nigeria. Speaking at a democracy conference in Abuja, he criticised the APC and the quality of leadership emerging from political parties.
He described the current state of governance and opposition as a “national emergency” and called for a united opposition coalition to challenge the ruling party.
The former governor’s remarks were met with backlash from the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, who questioned whether El-Rufai would have been critical of the government had he been appointed to a ministerial position.
El-Rufai also weighed in on a controversy between Naj’atu Muhammad, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Nuhu Ribadu, the NSA, over alleged past comments made by Ribadu about President Bola Tinubu’s corruption.
El-Rufai supported Muhammad’s claims, accusing Ribadu of “serious amnesia” regarding his past statements, which he said were documented in the Senate’s records and a 2007 Daily Trust report.
Both El-Rufai and Ribadu served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, with El-Rufai holding roles such as the Chairman of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, while Ribadu led the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Despite the mounting pressures and allegations, El-Rufai has reiterated his commitment to staying in Nigeria, defying attempts to silence him or force him into exile.
