Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has refuted any personal conflict with President Bola Tinubu, while announcing that political efforts to remove the current APC-led government have commenced.
In an interview, El-Rufai stated that the campaign to unseat the government is “just beginning,” noting that some individuals in power are uneasy about his return to Nigeria.
He rejected allegations of misconduct, asserting that there is no credible case against him.
He argued that if any legitimate claims existed, they would have been substantiated long ago. He also expressed his readiness to respond to any legitimate legal summons.
His remarks follow a tense incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where security personnel reportedly tried to detain him upon his arrival from Cairo.
According to his media aide, he declined to comply with the officers as there was no formal warrant. His international passport was allegedly confiscated before the officers backed down.
El-Rufai and his legal team characterized the incident as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
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Regarding his relationship with Tinubu, the former governor stated there is no personal discord, explaining that their differences stem from political goals rather than personal matters.
“If our goals differ, we should part ways amicably,” he remarked. He also dismissed any notion of a fallout with his successor, Uba Sani, emphasizing that political disagreements should not be taken personally.
While he ruled out any immediate plans to run for office, El-Rufai confirmed that he is joining a new coalition aimed at challenging the current government.
“Since I played a role in bringing them to power, I must also help in removing them,” he stated, adding that political activities will ramp up as the next election cycle approaches.
