Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that the current administration is planning to arrest, detain, and torture him in a facility under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). He claims to have been aware of these plans since July 2024, following an indictment report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly that accused him of fraud.
El-Rufai stated that threats against him have been conveyed through friends, family members, and political associates. According to him, these attempts are meant to coerce him into self-imposed exile. However, he remains resolute in staying in Nigeria. “They want me to go on self-imposed exile. I will not. Silence is no longer golden. Inaction has never been an option,” he declared.
The former governor, known for his outspoken political stance, asserted that he has faced similar intimidation tactics in the past. He referenced previous experiences of arrest and detention, dismissing the current threats as part of a recurring pattern in Nigerian politics.
El-Rufai also announced his plan to return to Nigeria before February 20, 2025, in time for the scheduled launch of former President Ibrahim Babangida’s memoirs. His decision to return, despite the alleged threats, signals his defiance against what he perceives as a politically motivated campaign against him.
In a public statement, El-Rufai emphasized his determination to remain vocal and engaged in Nigerian politics. “I have now put all my previous academic and language-learning plans on hold and will spend more time in Nigeria than ever before,” he stated.
He further criticized the alleged use of state power to suppress political opposition, drawing parallels to past instances of government crackdowns. “The arrest, detention, and torture of perceived political enemies are nothing new in human affairs,” he remarked.
El-Rufai recounted his past experiences with political persecution, stating, “I have been arrested and detained thrice in the past for expressing my views of previous governments.” He insisted that such actions do not deter him from continuing his political engagements.
The former governor also addressed concerns about his safety, stating that he is prepared for any outcome. “There is always a morning after the arrest or detention or torture, and political life continues,” he said. On the possibility of death, he maintained a philosophical stance, saying, “It happens when Allah destines it, and it is ultimately the fate of every human.”
