Ex-Gov El-Rufai Alleges Arrest, Torture Plot By Tinubu Gov’t

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that there are plans to arrest, detain, and torture him in a facility under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). El-Rufai made this claim on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, revealing that he had been hearing such rumors since July 2024, following the release of a report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly that indicted him for fraud.

The allegations came amid ongoing tensions between El-Rufai’s camp and that of National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu. This feud intensified following a viral video in which political activist Naja’atu Muhammad claimed that Ribadu, during his tenure as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had described President Bola Tinubu as corrupt. Ribadu denied the claim through his lawyer, Dr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), stating that he had never made such statements, either publicly or privately. He demanded a public apology and retraction from the activist.

El-Rufai, however, countered Ribadu’s denial, claiming that historical records from the Nigerian Senate’s proceedings in 2006, as well as a Daily Trust newspaper report from February 2007, confirmed that Ribadu had indeed made statements about Tinubu’s corruption. He also referenced conclusions from a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in 2006 that supposedly contained further evidence of these allegations.

In response to inquiries from one of his supporters, El-Rufai revealed that he had been subjected to intimidation and threats from political figures who want him to flee Nigeria. However, he vowed to stay in the country, despite the pressure.

“I have been hearing these same rumours of arrest, detention, and torture in some dungeon in the NSA’s office (where Godwin Emefiele was allegedly tortured to resign as CBN governor) since July 2024,” El-Rufai wrote. He added that these rumors began circulating after the Kaduna State Assembly’s report on him came to light.

El-Rufai also claimed that his legal challenge to the report had unsettled certain individuals, prompting attempts to compromise the judicial process. He emphasized that he had been receiving intimidation and threats from various people, including friends and political associates, urging him to go into self-imposed exile. “I will not,” he asserted.

The former governor also stated that he had paused his academic and language-learning plans to focus more on national issues. He mentioned that, “silence is no longer golden,” and he would no longer remain silent on matters affecting the country.

El-Rufai further added that he had been arrested and detained three times in the past for expressing his views against previous governments, and he remained unfazed by the possibility of future arrests, stating, “there is always a morning after the arrest, detention, or torture, and political life continues.”

He concluded with a defiant declaration, revealing his plans to return to Nigeria for the launch of former President Ibrahim Babangida’s memoirs on February 20, 2025.

“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,” he wrote, further concluding, “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.”