Emmanuel OchayiNational Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has refuted claims that he is considering a presidential run in 2031. His response follows comments made by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai during an interview on ARISE News.
Ribadu made it clear that he has never discussed any political ambition for 2031 with anyone. He stated that his full attention remains on his current assignment under President Bola Tinubu.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“My attention has been drawn to the interview granted by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, on Monday evening,” Ribadu said. “If my silence wouldn’t risk being construed as consent, I would have ignored him. I am too preoccupied with my current assignment to get into a media fight with Nasir El-Rufai or anyone else.”
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Ribadu Calls for Public Disregard of El-Rufai’s Comments
Ribadu urged Nigerians to ignore El-Rufai’s claims against him, saying they are baseless. He emphasised that he remains committed to national security and the success of the Tinubu administration.
“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,” Ribadu stated.
He further advised El-Rufai to allow him to focus on his duties as NSA, just as he does not interfere in the former governor’s affairs.
“I therefore ask Nasir El-Rufai to allow me to face my onerous national assignment, just as I do not bother myself with his own affairs,” Ribadu added.
Omokri Accuses El-Rufai of Distorting Facts
Meanwhile, Reno Omokri, a political analyst and supporter of the Tinubu administration, has criticised El-Rufai, accusing him of misleading the public regarding his failed ministerial nomination.
Omokri claimed that El-Rufai did not pass his security clearance during the Senate screening process. He alleged that national and international intelligence agencies had flagged the former Kaduna governor as a “diplomatic liability” due to his past controversial remarks.
“During the Senate confirmation process, the National Assembly requested security clearance from both national and international security and intelligence agencies, and it was discovered that Nasir El-Rufai failed his security screening woefully,” Omokri said.
He referenced an incident in 2019 when El-Rufai allegedly threatened European Union election observers, which sparked diplomatic concerns.
“He was considered a diplomatic liability to Nigeria because, on February 7, 2019, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai threatened European Union observers with death if they intervened in Nigeria’s presidential elections,” Omokri added.
El-Rufai’s Controversial Past Raised in Criticism
Omokri also accused El-Rufai of being involved in human rights violations, including the 2015 Zaria Shiite Massacre and the alleged suppression of political opponents in Kaduna.
He cited El-Rufai’s admission to paying off herdsmen and linked it to the violence in Southern Kaduna. He also mentioned the demolition of political opponents’ properties, including those of Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi and former APC North-West Zonal Chairman Inuwa Abdulkadir.
“Then, there is the demolition of another critic’s home under the guise that the house hosted a sex party. It was later established that the so-called sex party was a prank,” Omokri alleged.
Furthermore, Omokri said El-Rufai’s statements against Christians affected his credibility. He recalled a 2013 incident where the former governor made controversial remarks about Jesus Christ and another statement in 2019 suggesting Christians would never vote for him.
Failed Ministerial Nomination and Fallout
Omokri maintained that El-Rufai was not the only ministerial nominee who was denied clearance. He pointed out that two other nominees, Danladi Sani from Taraba State and Stella Okotete from Delta State, were also rejected due to security concerns.
“None of the others has blamed the duo of the president or his NSA. None. Except El-Rufai,” Omokri noted.
Following his rejection, El-Rufai withdrew his nomination and replaced himself with his former commissioner, Jafaru Sani.
Omokri concluded that El-Rufai’s accusations against Ribadu were driven by frustration over his failed ministerial bid.
“The fact remains that Nasir El-Rufai is bitter that his desire to be a minister was scuttled, and in his bitterness, he is attacking those who are bringing betterment to Nigeria,” Omokri argued.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
