El-Rufai Alleges Government Plot to Arrest and Torture Him Like Emefiele

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that the federal government is planning to arrest, detain, and torture him, similar to how ex-Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele was allegedly treated. The former governor made the claim in response to concerns raised by one of his supporters, Imran U. Wakili, on social media.

El-Rufai, a prominent chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said messages had been sent to him through friends and relatives, warning him about the alleged plot. He insisted that the plan was to intimidate him into going into self-imposed exile. However, he remained defiant, vowing to stay in Nigeria and continue speaking against perceived injustices.

Refusal to Be Intimidated

Despite the alleged threats, El-Rufai declared that he would not be cowed into silence or forced to flee the country. He revealed that he had put all his academic and language-learning plans on hold to focus on staying in Nigeria and engaging in political discourse.

“The arrest, detention, and torture of perceived political enemies are nothing new in human affairs. I have been arrested and detained thrice in the past for expressing my views about previous governments,” El-Rufai stated. He maintained that he was unafraid of arrest or even death, saying, “We fear no mortal but Almighty Allah. We always hope for the best but plan for the worst.”

The former governor further announced that he would return to Nigeria by February 20, indirectly challenging those allegedly behind the plot to act on their threats.

El-Rufai’s Fallout with the Federal Government

El-Rufai’s latest accusations come amid his growing criticism of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration. His relationship with the government soured after he failed to secure a ministerial appointment due to alleged “security concerns” cited by the Senate.

In recent weeks, the former governor has been outspoken about what he described as the declining quality of governance and leadership within the ruling APC. Speaking at a democracy conference in Abuja, he warned that Nigeria’s governance crisis had reached a “national emergency” level and urged opposition parties to unite against the ruling party.

His criticisms drew a sharp reaction from Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, who questioned whether El-Rufai would have spoken out had he been given a cabinet position.

Conflict with Kaduna State Government

Apart from his rift with the federal government, El-Rufai is also at odds with his successor, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State. Several of El-Rufai’s former appointees are being investigated for alleged mismanagement of state funds, a move that some see as a direct attack on his legacy.

Although Governor Sani has maintained that the probe is aimed at ensuring accountability, El-Rufai’s supporters believe it is politically motivated. The ongoing scrutiny of past contracts and financial dealings in Kaduna has further deepened tensions between both politicians, raising speculations about El-Rufai’s potential legal troubles.

Verbal Battle with Ribadu

El-Rufai has also been embroiled in a fresh controversy involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. He backed claims made by PDP chieftain Naj’atu Muhammad that Ribadu had, in the past, labeled President Tinubu as corrupt during his tenure as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

El-Rufai accused Ribadu of suffering from “serious amnesia” for denying the claim. He referenced Senate records and a 2007 Daily Trust report as evidence that Ribadu had indeed made such statements. The feud has reignited old political rivalries, as both El-Rufai and Ribadu served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo in different capacities.

As the controversy deepens, political analysts predict that Rufai’s continued defiance could further strain his relationship with the APC leadership, potentially leading to more legal and political battles in the coming months