By our reporter
Barely hours after immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, claimed that National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, was orchestrating his political downfall and those of other Northerners over the 2031 presidency, Ribadu has jumped to his own defence.
Ribadu urged the public to disregard El-Rufai’s statement, saying he has never discussed his perceived political future with anyone.
Besides, he stated that, as NSA, all his efforts and energy are “geared completely” towards advancing Nigeria as well as making a success of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
On Monday night while fielding questions on Arise TV, El-Rufai had taken a swipe at Ribadu, alleging that his (El-Rufai’s) current travails were traceable to Ribadu’s manoeuvering to remove all possible Northern obstacles to his alleged presidential run in 2031, when it will be the turn of the North.
Recall that some close aides of the former Kaduna State governor had been arrested and arraigned in court by anti-graft agency, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on money laundering charges,which El-Rufai alleged,in the interview, was politically motivated and a bid to compel them to incriminate him.
Indeed, one of them, Bashir Sa’idu, who was then Gov. El-Rufai’s Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Finance, was released from custody on Wednesday, February 19,2025, after 50 days in detention over an alleged multi-million Naira money laundering issue.
However, Ribadu,in his reply titled ‘I won’t join issues with Nasir El-Rufai’, stated that he is too preoccupied with delivering service to the country to bother about such matters.
The statement, which he personally signed, read: “My attention has been drawn to the interview granted by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State Monday evening.
“If my silence wouldn’t risk being construed as consent, I would have ignored him. I am too preoccupied with my current assignment as to get into a media fight with Nasir El-Rufai or anyone else.
“Despite the incessant baiting and attacks I have never spoken ill of Nasir on record anywhere. This is out of respect for our past association and our respective families. I will not start today.
“I however urge the public to disregard El-rufai’s statements against me.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I want to put it on record that I have never discussed running for president in 2031 with anybody. All my focus and energy are geared completely towards the advancement of Nigeria and the success of the President Tinubu administration.
“I therefore ask Nasir El-Rufai to allow me face my onerous national assignment just as I do not bother myself with his own affairs.”
