El-Rufai Disowns Long-time Friend Ribadu, Backs Naja’atu

Former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has disowned his longtime friend, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, who is now the national security adviser. In 2006, he accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, then governor of Lagos State, and some officials of corruption.

Recall that prominent female Northern activist Hajia Naja’atu Muhammad in a recent TikTok video, accused Nuhu Ribadu of now working with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, secretary to the government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, Abia State Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and others he had accused of being among the most corrupt Nigerians when he was the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Consequently, the national security adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, demanded a public apology and retraction from Naja’atu.

However, reacting to the issue, El-Rufai, who posted on his verified Facebook page, backed Naja’atu’s claims against the national security adviser, describing Najaatu’s statement as accurate.

The former governor maintained that the record of Senate proceedings would confirm that Ribadu, as EFCC boss, made those statements sometime in 2006.

El-Rufai, who was the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at that time, wrote, “subsequent Daily Trust report below of February 2007, reconfirms the essence of the statements.

“The conclusions of the Federal Executive Council in 2006, which can be subpoenaed from the Cabinet Secretariat of the SGF’s office, contain the allegations.”

The former governor added, “In that special FEC meeting in which I was a member, Nuhu’s EFCC made similar presentations accusing many sitting officials sometime in 2006.

These Council conclusions will further remove all doubts.”

“This is for the record and to remind the morally flexible that at some point in our national life, silence is no longer golden,” El-Rufai said.