Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has addressed ongoing rumours regarding his alleged imminent arrest and torture by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
The claims follow a series of heated exchanges between El-Rufai and Ribadu’s camp, triggered by allegations made by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Naja’atu Muhammad.
In a viral TikTok video, Muhammad accused Ribadu of labelling President Bola Tinubu corrupt during his tenure as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Ribadu, in response, categorically denied these claims through a letter from his lawyer, Dr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), stating that such statements were never made, either publicly or privately. Ribadu further described the damage caused by the video as “unquantifiable” and demanded a public apology and retraction.
El-Rufai quickly countered Ribadu’s denial, accusing the NSA of “serious amnesia” and asserting that the record of proceedings in the Senate and a Daily Trust report from February 2007 could confirm that Ribadu made such statements in 2006.
He also referenced Federal Executive Council conclusions from the same period, suggesting they contained evidence of Ribadu’s comments about Tinubu and others.
Responding to a supporter’s concerns on social media, El-Rufai revealed that since July 2024, he had heard rumours of his potential arrest, detention, and torture, particularly following the Kaduna State House of Assembly’s indictment of him for fraud in a widely circulated report.
El-Rufai, who has previously been arrested and detained three times by past governments, stated that despite the threats, he would not go into self-imposed exile.
In a post on his X handle, El-Rufai expressed his resolve: “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. They freaked out when we challenged the legality of the premeditated defamation and went to every length to compromise the judicial process.”
He continued, “I have now put all my previous academic and language-learning plans on hold and will spend more time in Nigeria than ever before. Silence is no longer golden. Inaction has never been an option.”
El-Rufai further emphasised that the arrest, detention, and torture of political opponents were not new in the political arena, pointing to his own past experiences.
“I have been arrested and detained thrice in the past for expressing my views on previous governments. There is always a morning after the arrest, detention, or torture, and political life continues, As for death, it comes when Allah destines it, and it is ultimately the fate of every human.” he said.
In conclusion, El-Rufai reassured his supporters, saying, “For the attention of the pathetic characters who don’t sleep well whenever I am in Nigeria, take notice that I intend to return in time for the launch of President IBB’s memoirs, in sha Allah, scheduled for February 20.”
He reminded his followers, “We depend on no one but Allah. We fear no mortal but Almighty Allah. We always hope for the best but plan for the worst.”
