El-Rufai: I’ve been hearing rumours I may be arrested — but I won’t go on exile

Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna, says he has been hearing of his possible arrest. 

The politician has been locked in a war of words with some members of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

The spat intensified after el-Rufai criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for “straying from its core values”.

In a post on X on Tuesday, the ex-governor said his adversaries intend to force him out of the country.

Responding to a post from X user Imran Wakili on the alleged plot to arrest and detain him, el-Rufai, who disclosed that he is currently in Egypt, said he will return to the country before February 20.

“I will spend more time in Nigeria than ever before,” el-Rufai said.

“They have sent such similar messages of intimidation and threats through many of my friends, family and political associates because they want me to go on self-imposed exile.

“I have now put all my previous academic and language-learning plans on hold. Silence is no longer golden. Inaction has never been an option.

“The arrest, detention and torture of perceived political enemies are nothing new in human affairs. I have been arrested and detained thrice in the past for expressing my views of previous governments.

“There is always a morning after the arrest or detention or torture, and political life continues. As for death, it is when Allah destines it, and it is ultimately the date of every human.

“For the attention of the pathetic characters that don’t sleep well whenever I am in Nigeria, take notice that I intend to return in time for the launch of Pres IBB’s memoirs, in sha Allah, scheduled for 20th February.

“We depend on no one but Allah. We fear no mortal but Almighty Allah. We always hope for the best but plan for the worst.”

DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY. WHAT WILL BE WILL BE:

Dear Imran @IU_Wakilii

Your post below refers. I have been hearing these same rumors of arrest, detention and torture in some dungeon in the NSA’s office (where Emefiele was allegedly tortured to resign as CBN governor), since July… https://t.co/wrvlL6nqpM

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— Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai (@elrufai) February 11, 2025

The former minister of the federal capital territory (FCT) has become an ardent critic of the Tinubu government.

El-Rufai was one of the president’s ministerial nominees. However, in August 2023, the senate withheld his confirmation as minister, citing security concerns.