A former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has declared that the political battle to unseat the current administration has “just begun,” alleging that those in power are unsettled by his return to Nigeria.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa monitored on Friday, February 13, El-Rufai suggested that recent scrutiny and alleged attempts to obstruct him were politically motivated.
“You know, when that government came, I was among the few people who came out and told her we would oppose it and remove it. There was nothing I did not say,” he stated. He dismissed insinuations of wrongdoing, insisting that no credible case exists against him.
“If they had anything against me like they claim to have against others, the matter would have long been settled. But even if you want to accuse me, make sure you prove the accusation. I am waiting; whoever invites me, I will go,” he said.
His comments follow tension at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday, when security operatives attempted to detain him shortly after he arrived from Cairo, Egypt.
His media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, said the former governor declined to accompany the operatives, insisting he would only comply with a formal invitation or warrant.
“Security agents today attempted to arrest Malam Nasir El-Rufai as he arrived on a flight from Cairo. Malam El-Rufai declined to follow them without a formal invitation,” Adekeye said. Security personnel reportedly seized his international passport during the encounter before withdrawing.
El-Rufai and his legal team condemned the move as unconstitutional and described it as executive overreach, alleging that due process was not followed.
On Friday, El-Rufai said his disagreement with the administration stems from differing political objectives rather than personal animosity.
“Our objectives are what differ, because when I stood with this government or when I stood with the party, what we are seeing now is not what we saw then. They have changed. If your objectives are different from mine, then we should part ways peacefully. Everyone should go and do their own thing. No fight,” he said.
Addressing speculation about his relationship with President Bola Tinubu, he denied any personal dispute.
“I have no problem with Tinubu because we have never had any dealings together. Tinubu is not my person; we have never done politics together. We met in APC when Buhari came out and won the election. And Tinubu contributed,” he said.
He added that there had been an internal understanding within the ruling party that power would rotate to the South-West after the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
On his successor in Kaduna, Uba Sani, El-Rufai downplayed reports of a rift. “As for Uba Sani, he is my political son, He himself has said many times that he is my person. We are not at odds; it is only our objectives that differ,” he said. He urged Nigerians not to personalise political disagreements.
“Politics is a profession where, even if you fight, you reconcile. When politicians are fighting, don’t get involved. But now what lies before us is rescuing Nigerians from the hardship they have found themselves in oppression and unemployment,” he said. El-Rufai revealed that he is aligning with an emerging coalition despite past differences.
“In the past, we opposed some members of the coalition, but now we must come together, forgive one another, and save this country,” he said. While ruling out immediate electoral ambition, he signalled continued opposition activity.
“I do not have the intention to contest for any position now, and I do not know what will happen in the future, because in politics anything can happen within 24 hours. For now, what is before me is to contribute in removing this government,” he said.
“Since I contributed to bringing them into power, I must also contribute to removing them. Political struggles are just beginning now, because it is the living who engage in struggle. Why are they watching me closely? They know what I am capable of, and they know we can remove them,” he added.
He further alleged deliberate attempts to hinder his return to the country. “As I return home some people will not be able to sleep. All these efforts to stop me at the airport was an empty threat. they know better. They prefer that I stay abroad and not return. They know that if we are in Nigeria, we will organize to remove them. And that is what will happen, God willing,” he said. “I even feel more energized when there is this kind of political struggle,” he added.
